Patricia Lomando

...I have teen memories of fellow students in hallways, curled in on themselves with sadness, and others holding in tears during recess or even on outings. And I remember being drawn to them, sitting with them and failing to understand why they weren't being noticed by "the grown ups", why their struggle was not a priority above the academics that others seemed so focused on. That perspective has never changed, and I have never considered another career.  I believe those who struggle most with adapting to our fast paced, rule-governed, and often judgmental societal structures are those who feel extra, think extra, and understand extra, and that it's those very "extrasensory abilities"  which can result in feelings of isolation and disconnect.   Often neurodivergent, we are the ones often labeled as "atypical", covered with diagnostic labels, and asked to change to fit a "neurotypical standard."  When a close friend took his own life before reaching 18, my path was cemented and every time I share space with someone trying to find their way out of that isolation or darkness, I feel I honor the voices of those who weren’t able to feel seen...weren’t able to find that connection…..and that I feel is my purpose.