Graduation

This was an event I knew he could be at.

Thanks to a school that is incredibly organized, we were able to plan for William to attend his sister’s graduation ceremony.

Now when I say organized, I mean they even had accommodations for accessible parking. Timing, order of events, building access, and viewing options were all clear and accessible so that we could make it happen.

At Amelia’s school, graduation is a full day event. It starts with a chapel service where graduates and their families celebrate the beautiful campus and the home away from home that this school so amazingly provides for each student. Students perform, there are tears and laughter, and the stage gets set for the incredible accomplishment that is graduating from Shawnigan. The school does not limit attendees and provides a livestream to another building so that everyone can enjoy the event.

Next is lunch. The school provides a beautiful outdoor, garden party style lunch. It’s an opportunity to see all the graduates and mingle with families and staff.

William was a champ and I could tell he was happy to be there.

During lunch I may have organized our seating with the caring staff. But they were so happy to accommodate him.

We were then ushered by the graduates to the amphitheatre where

William had a perfect spectator spot to see his sister walk across the pond and receive her diploma.

The ceremony started with the graduates’ entrance – they played “In the Jungle the Mighty Jungle” as they all entered and found their seats.

This moment was made more special by the fact that William was there.

The first speech was a longer one, but William was quiet and content. There was a bit more music, a visit from the school mascot, and then the procession began.

As names were being called, William was still quiet and then her name was called. William got loud. And yes, he got some looks. I think people underestimate his level of understanding. But when people realized he was excited to hear his sister’s name, the looks were not pity looks, they were happy, heart-warmed looks.

William almost made it to the end of the procession, but he did get himself a little worked up and began to sound a little like Darth Vader so his caregivers took the opportunity to head to the van and make sure he was ready for the family photos. Just as the procession ended, William was back and waiting for his sister.

She was adamant that pictures happen with him. It made me wonder if she felt the same way I did about the family photos from prom – did she feel like a piece was missing?

Over the five years Amelia has been at Shawnigan, she has authentically built a relationship with the photographer. But it wasn’t till graduation day that we realized they had something special in common – a brother with special abilities.

None the less, she took time to make sure we got photos as a family with our boy. It was clear that she knew how important it was to Amelia and to me – she had taken the pictures at prom too.

This day definitely took planning, it took two beauty caregivers, it took a supportive school community, and a venue that could accommodate. And I guess, for me, when things seem even remotely possible, I will do my best to make it happen.

This day showed true inclusion and acceptance. And I will always believe that our world is better with William in it, experiencing it, and loving it.