Who is Happy...

Jan 27, 2008 - 21:20 PM PST

My boyfriend, until just recently when he moved out to LA with me, was a Special Education teacher for eligible adults between the ages of 18-22. He worked for a place called "Monarch School", which housed pre-K students with sensory and mental disabilities and aforementioned adults. Basically, it was a transitional school for kids before they began Kindergarten and after they graduated High School.

The school itself, is nothing more than a renovated Middle School from the 50s, that was the best the county could do for a facility devoted to "people like these". There is little funding and limited staff for a place like this. Thus, Monarch encourages volunteers, so I went to work with my boyfriend for a few days. I had no idea what to expect, but I wanted to help.

Growing up, I seldom spoke to or "hung out" with students from the Special Ed program. I felt sorry for them, and a little uncomfortable knowing that I had nothing in common with these people and, therefore, no way of relating. I assumed I would experience the same at Monarch, to my EXTREME incorrectness. It was quite the opposite, in fact.

There were nine students in Rickett's (the bf) class. Every one of them was funny, sweet, and a true blast to be around. I couldn't remember when I'd had so much fun. Even though they had the mental age of about a seven year old, there were subtleties that set them apart. One female student was a master of puzzles and was doing circles around me. We discussed her favorite movies as well, which were a fabulous bunch; I was impressed. Several students liked to sing, and serenaded me with their mumblings and heart felt "lyrics". One boy, was super into American Idol, and emulated the gesticulations to a T. It was hilarious! I felt non-apprehensive to be myself and work with these kids every minute I was with them.

My main point, now that I think I'm getting to one, is that these people were truly the happiest I had ever met in my life, and I quickly understood why my boyfriend and the other staff at Monarch chose to accept such ridiculous pay to prolong these young adults' vocational education. They could be taught to do simple jobs and follow directions, and they relished in the idea of being independent. The young adults at Monarch School were truly happy to be themselves and show the world who they were, which is more than I can say for most other people I have met.

I guess after watching a show like "Quarterlife", one starts to think about and compare one's life to the characters and hopes not to find too many similarities. Though, I think all "normal" people face the same problems the characters in the show do in some fashion. Be it: embarrassment, heartbreak, self conscienceness. The list goes on. I am very happy that I got a chance to meet a group of people that were almost 100% free of the manipulations and trivial self awareness issues that I and my peers experience daily. It was refreshing and special to me, and I hope to help out again next time I am back home.