Dr. Mitch Returns

Dr. Mitch Returns

As I stated in blog 5: “Dr. Mitch (Happy B-day ‘Max’)”, the nickname Dr. Mitch was given to me by my friend Max, after I calmed him down. It was a nickname that gave me confidence,  and helped shape me into the person I am today. I also mentioned in that blog, (as the title implies) that it was Max’s birthday at the time, and I had gone to his birthday party. His birthday party was at the movie theater where he works. It was a fun night because I got to see him, his family, and another friend from HLC (all of whom I had not seen in years). But there were two other people at this party- A couple of my former teachers from HLC. 

Throughout the night, Max, the other friend, and myself were reminiscing about the “glory days”.  At one point I asked, “do you guys still keep in contact with other people from Haugland?” They rattled off a few names, and Max mentioned that he texts Kathy all the time. Kathy (or Ms. Fox as I have always known her) is one of the teachers that was at the party.

Now a couple months passed, and I was talking to my Nimba (Grandma), about how to get a little more publicity for the blog. At some point public speaking came up, but I had no idea where I would speak. Then I remembered that Max still talks to Ms. Fox. I texted Max, got her number, and we decided that I would do presentation for the high school kids.

That day came yesterday (5/17/19), and I was so excited when I woke up. I got in one last little practice, took a shower, got dressed and headed to HLC. It was really weird to be back, almost like I was dreaming. I could not get myself to believe I was back. Screams of over-excited children filled the school at recess, and teachers greeted me with smiles and hugs- It was like I never left.

After some minor technical complications, the presentation began. Within the presentation I went over three topics: how to get a job, how to survive college, and how to sustain friendships. When I finished the most amazing thing happened, the students started to ask me meaningful questions- they were paying attention! I felt like for the first time in almost six years, I was Dr. Mitch and it was awesome!

Now the reason I bring this up is because of what it is going to lead to. When Ms. Fox was walking me out, we were talking about me coming back, and I expressed my feelings about making a partnership with HLC. We haven’t worked out all the details, but we are going to figure it out as we go. I am hoping my partnership with Haugland will be beneficial to the autism community. I hope that I can live up to the title Dr. Mitch.

Have a greattastic day

J. Mitchell Ulibarri

P.S. I am also doing a presentation at Ohio State University Monday! I will make a video update that night.

To Judge a Fish

To Judge a Fish

As I have As I have mentioned before, internships were a part of my high school. Just as a refresher, here's how the internship program worked. Freshman year- you go to a pre-chosen site with a large group of students, and a teacher on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sophomore year- same except with a smaller group. Junior year- you get to choose your own site and you do it on your own. Senior year- you go to a site full time for the second semester.

My freshman year I worked at a daycare. I was placed in the 3 & 4 year old classroom with another girl from my school. We both ended up planning our own activities for the kids to do. Mine was a sensory game in which the kids would pull clay apart to find coins I had hidden in it. This was the year I decided that I wanted to be a teacher.

My junior year I was at my old grade school. I worked with grades 1-5. During that year, I did so much it's impossible to describe it all. But I was basically just a glorified teacher's aide. And I say glorified, because the kids loved me. I mean, every time I walk into the classrooms, they all just look at me with a huge grin on their faces; sometimes they even cheered.

I enjoyed it so much and really did not want to leave, so for my senior year site I found a way to return. This time I worked with the sixth grade teacher almost entirely. He and I built a friendship, and he is one of the best mentors I have ever had. I was allowed to make my own lesson plans, I got my own desk and I felt like an actual teacher!

I graduated last year around this time, with high honors. How many kids with autism can actually say that? Honestly I probably wouldn’t be able to say that, if it wasn’t for my high school. While I do have a lot of complaints about it, it was very individualized and worked well for me. They would show inspirational quotes and videos. My favorite one started off with a quote by Albert Einstein that goes a little something like this, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid.”

As soon as I heard that quote I realized that is the best way to describe autism. You can't judge people on the spectrum by the same criteria, because they might not physically be able to do what you are asking of them no matter how hard they try. Telling a kid with autism to make friends “normally”, or do better in school is like telling a fish the climb tree. We need to support people with autism and judge them not by what they can't do, but by what they can do.

Have a greattastic day!

~J. Mitchell Ulibarri

PS- Congratulations Cousin Simple on releasing your new song  Star Destroyers. Rock on.

Expect the Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected

Mitchell:Before this blog starts I have something to say. The person who wrote this blog, is not only my “sister”, but she is also one of my biggest supports. If I ever need to talk, she is always there. Last Monday, she  officially became a sonographer and she's moving 1300 miles away for her new job in a couple of weeks. I just wanted to tell her “Congratulations, and thank you for always being there for me. I can't wait to see what God has planned for you. Love you Arden!”

Arden: Hi there.

I’m one of Mitchell’s best friends. Due to his stress level reaching an all time high, he allowed me to take over his blog for the week because it’s that time of year; finals season. It goes without saying that during finals week as well as the weeks leading up to it, one barely has time for anything else. Anyway, if you’ve been keeping up with Mitchell’s weekly blogs, you’ll know that we grew up together and he is basically the brother I never had. I have to warn you, though, I tend to be more math and science oriented and writing is not my strong suit. So, without further ado, here goes nothing.

My three sisters and Mitchell have always pursued life with more of a creative approach. Instead of staying inside and watching TV, playing video games, or just simply doing things the average kid would do, we would always be climbing trees and trying to parachute out of them, building teepees and other various forts, pretending we were in an alternate universe, painting Mitchell gold, and a myriad of other things. It’s safe to say that we’ve adapted this approach as young adults and we’ve come to welcome the fact that when one approaches new experiences with the same enthusiasm and free-spiritedness similar to when we were kids, awesome things start to happen. I like to call it the “expect the unexpected” movement.

Even when we aren’t all together for our usual shenanigans and adventures, the spirit of the group tends to follow us wherever we go. For example, I’ve gone on multiple trips without Mitchell and/or the girls and I now eagerly anticipate the unexpected that could (and usually always does) happen on any trip. Like the time one of my best friends and I hiked through Hurricane Michael in the Great Smoky Mountains and made it to a lookout spot just in time to see the white cloudy blanket separate and reveal the most amazing view I had ever seen. Or the time the same friend and I hiked through Colorado’s record blizzard season up into the Flatirons. Or the time I was at a fancy restaurant about to eat dinner and a baby mouse fell from the ceiling onto our table and then proceeded to scurry around the kitchen with the chefs going crazy trying to catch it…and yes, we did end up getting our dinner on the house.

Unfortunately, our society teaches us that we can control pretty much everything. There is an unlimited amount of filters or editing software to help us manipulate and control our looks and insecurities. There are programs that help us micromanage pretty much every aspect of life among other outlets that help us to “control”. Where’s the fun in that? Trust me, it’s definitely difficult to simply let go and let things happen as they do. As Mitchell mentioned in a couple blogs ago, I will be starting a new chapter in my life and moving cross country. Although, it’s terrifying to do alone, it’s also comforting to know that the right attitude and enthusiasm can make a world of difference. And even though I’ll be on the opposite side of the country, I will always be looking for a “piece of home” in the unexpected surprises that always come with every adventure.

The thing about the unexpected is the certainty of it happening. It’s just a matter of embracing the many possibilities and numerous memories that come with spontaneity. Be open and always remember, when you start to expect the unexpected, great things start to happen. Some might even say, greattastic.

Have a greattastic day!
Arden aka Han