What does Driving Magic, Inc. mean to me? In order for you understand the answer to that question, it requires a brief history of my life with my sister, Susan…
I don’t remember the first time I realized that my sister has a developmental disability. Susan is six years older than me; therefore there is no time in my life when she hasn’t been there. Growing up, I was involved in pretty much anything I could fit into my waking hours…including weekends…and yes, even some holidays. Girl Scouts, basketball, softball, track, marching band, youth group, school clubs, councils, you name it. Where was Susan all this time? Watching, listening and waiting. In the bleachers, in the audience or at the table. Most people wouldn’t realize it, but she is one of the most careful observers I’ve ever met. She was always alongside my parents at every one of my events. She clapped with everyone when we scored, sat a little taller to see me on the football field, watched carefully as we made crafts at Girl Scout meetings and waited for me to change clothes after basketball games so we could go have dinner. She never said very much, never expressed her desire to join in, but always watched, always listened and always waited.
I can only imagine what was going on inside her. What was she thinking of all the attention given to me? My parents tried to involve her in various extra-curricular activities such as ballet class, tumbling, Sunday school and piano lessons. None of these activities lasted past the first few lessons. Instead, Susan ultimately ended up embracing all the activities in which I participated. Not intentionally, it just sort of happened that way. She has always enjoyed attending my events. She proudly showed others pictures of me and used them to start conversations about the latest thing I was up to. Every teacher of mine, close friend and coach made it a point to get to know her and, once they had got to know her, loved her. But again…what about something for her to do?! I’ve often asked myself as an adult “why couldn’t Susan have been in Girl Scouts?” or “Wasn’t there a school club she could’ve been a part of?” and “Could Susan have played an instrument in the band? Cymbals, xylophone? She really has excellent rhythm.”
After many years of wishing Susan could have something of her own to build her self-confidence and empower her, I heard about this program called Driving Magic from a fellow speech-pathologist and friend of Matt and Jennifer’s. Again, I thought sure, I can volunteer, but what I was really thinking was “I’ll check it out and see if this is something Susan can finally do!!” I absolutely love to volunteer, but I cannot express in words how grateful I am that this program is something Susan can finally be a part of. She is doing something that we can cheer HER on at! She’s no longer watching, but participating. Her careful listening skills and close observation are now used to focus on her OWN sporting event! My parents and I are able to step back and watch HER develop independence, improve her language skills, further develop her social skills, and make new friends. That is really what Driving Magic, Inc. means to me.
Susan counts down the days on her calendar until she can return to the “horse farm” as she calls it. She now has her own helmet and a host of colorful helmet covers she picks from to wear each time she drives. She has an entire page of her Augmentative and Alternative Communication device devoted to phrases that share information about her activities at the “horse farm” with others. She has never been so excited about doing something that is all her own. She usually gets excited to go on vacation and visit with family at holidays, but never has she been excited to participate in something of her own. To me, Driving Magic is a program that fosters development of its students’ self-confidence, builds on their strengths, and gives them an event for others to watch them excel, listen to their voices and wait…wait to see just how much they do have inside of them.
I have watched my sister develop skills in the past 6+ years that many professionals would not believe possible. Many would say she was past the “developmental window” to learn new skills as she is now 40 years old. Susan has proven them wrong. The belief that everyone can learn regardless of age and ability is definitely something Driving Magic believes in. A key to Susan’s success has always been the people with whom she works. She is highly motivated by people she knows understand her. The volunteers of Driving Magic such as Matt, Pat, Anna and now Janice who have worked with her have a gift in communicating with her. Susan is able to show others the ability she has within her as she projects driving commands across the ring, sits up with her shoulders back and responds to questions during lessons. Something she has never been known for is a loud, confident voice. Driving Magic has brought a new voice out in her. These skills have been hidden for so many years while she was just watching…listening…and waiting. Waiting for her turn to shine and show all of us what is inside of her.
Andrea Barton-Hulsey
Speech Language Pathologist and
Sister of Susan Barton
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