Our own Paul S., CGS Venture Crew Co-President, had the honor of addressing a group of Cub Scouts (Pack 231 from Raymore) at their annual lock-in this past Friday night. The Cub Scouts were working on their Disability Awareness Belt Loop (similar to a scout's merit badge) and to fulfill the requirement, they needed the opportunity to meet with and listen to a person with a disability as well as someone who works with people with disabilities.
The Cub Scouts kicked things off for us pretty easily, as they asked about my injured arm before we could even say a word. Telling them the story of my injury and the surgery that followed was an easy segue into an example of a physical disability, even though mine is a temporary one. That then led into an explanation of mental disabilities, as I gave them a quick overview of what that means as well. I also talked about CGS - not only what we do and where we are, but the great folks that we support.
Paul took over at that point and he proceeded to speak to these kids not only about himself (where he graduated high school, how long he'd been at CGS, etc.) but he also gave them an overview of Autism. I was amazed at Paul's poise and level of comfort talking to these young scouts. Paul's ability to sit and talk openly about his diagnosis and his so-called disability was quite admirable and shows that Paul does not define himself by his diagnosis.
Paul went on to discuss how Autism manifests itself in him, giving some wonderful examples of how hard it is for him to focus on one thing for very long. He pointed around the room to various eye catching items and explained to the group that though he might see something interesting and concentrate on it for a moment, but before he knows it, he's noticed something else and has focused on that. Then something else completely different will catch his eye and he moves on to that, and so on and so forth. He then offered up a couple of experiments that they could try, one with a flashlight and one with a couple of boom boxes, that could give them a glimpse of what he goes through everyday.
Not that he needed a big finish, but Paul ended up his little chat with these kids by pointing to each one of them individually and telling them that each of them are unique. He then expanded on that and pointed to each of the adult leaders towards the back of the room, telling the kids that each of them is unique as well. He tied it all up by saying, "We're all unique and that's a good thing." He pointed to himself and added, "I'm unique too - just a little bit different than everyone else."
The Cub Scouts presented Paul with a Pack #231 shirt as a thank you. He thanked them and in classic Only Paul Could Come Up With It Style, he then commented, "I heard there was going to be treats?"
I've been a part of a lot of emotional moments in my years here at CGS, but I'm going to have to rank this one right at the top. Given the right environment and opportunity, Paul S. can do amazing things. I was proud to be in attendance for this one.
Story by John Gilbert - CGS | 
