Dear Determined Me: Alex’s Letter to His Younger Self

Dear Determined Me,

You are so young and so cute. Rather than dwell on the past, I want to talk about all that you are going to experience. Let me start with the I’m Determined soar to new heights. You will learn the nine elements including choice making, decision making, problem solving, goal setting and attainment, self-regulation, self-advocacy, internal locus of control, self-efficacy, and self-awareness.

I began my journey in middle school. I was in all general education classes and an honor roll student. I was not a new person to the world of disability but I was new to the world of self-determination. A lot of my life I had been in segregated classrooms. I did not know what it meant to be self-determined. Then I attended the I’m Determined summit. I was blown away by the concept. Even though I had been participating in my IEP meetings and had a One Pager since fourth grade thanks to my Mom, I was not aware of the concept of self-determination. I always thought I would be a non-speaking autistic that never controlled his destiny. I am here today to tell you that I am in control. Through my skills gained in I’m Determined, I am master of my destiny.

The most impactful element I learned was self-advocacy. The I’m Determined definition for self-advocacy is “the skills necessary to speak up and/or defend a cause or a person.” I have applied this element numerous times over the last few years. I have given public comment to the General Assembly advocating for inclusive education and for Medicaid waivers. I have been a self-advocate student member on the Hanover County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee. I won The Arc of Virginia’s Catalyst for Change award for my advocacy for inclusive education. I was selected for Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Youth Leadership Academy where I gave mock public comment to General Assembly members about a proposed Communication Bill of Rights. I am a group leader for I’m Determined and have continued to lead others with disabilities. Lastly, I have been a devoted advocate for my preferred method of communication, the letterboard. With the letterboard, I can express my absolute dreams and control my destiny.

I am absolutely grateful for I’m Determined and all that I have learned on this journey. But the journey is not over. You will be so dangerous with your newfound skills. I wish you a wild and determined ride.

Sincerely,

Your older and wiser self