Equity and the Hero’s Journey

Written by Delaney

There’s nothing worse than a braggart.

Who wants to hear someone talk nonstop about how successful he/she is? Nobody.

So I apologize in advance.

I’m a student on the autism spectrum at St. Edward’s University, a private university in my hometown of Austin, TX. I’m also the first-ever neurodivergent female web design intern at Adora Winquist, an aromatherapy company in Asheville, North Carolina.

While remarkable in themselves, not so much the hero’s journey I’ve (and other neurodivergent individuals) have undergone along the way. That’s right, the process you learned about in your high school English courses where one goes on an adventure, learns a lesson, uses that newfound knowledge to emerge victorious and returns home transformed. And with equity as my gift of the gods/goddesses, I offer a breakdown of the three stages leading up to said gift using my personal experiences thus far.

Departure 

The transition from high school to college was a daunting one as I didn’t want to leave my family and friends behind. However, it was Kendall Swanson, my former counselor at St. Ed’s Student Disability Services (SDS) office, who helped me cross the threshold in exploring what the campus had to offer.

Kendall told me about SDS’ weekly social group that met every Friday to discuss topics centered around our academic and social lives. It’d been a great way for students like myself in the past to get to know each other in a safe, inclusive environment. Unsure, but intrigued, I attended the first meeting of the fall 2018 semester to continue using the social skills I’d acquired throughout high school.

That wonderful first meeting convinced me to follow the call to adventure for every meeting since then. And there’s always been something new to talk about for an hour on end.

Initiation 

In March of 2020, COVID-19 struck the Austin area, leaving everyone in unfamiliar territory. Amidst the daily Zoom meetings and online assignments for the next year and a half, though, I never once paused to think about my future – probably because I was in no hurry to do so.

However, I realized last fall how close the future was, and walking the road of trials was my only way of preparing for it. Unfortunately, the first step happened to be finding employment, one of the greatest challenges for individuals on the autism spectrum. Despite interning as a teaching assistant and serving as spokesperson for Autism Society of Texas’ latest video project, neither fully convinced me to travel onward.

It was through regular meetings with the goddess (my career counselor) that AW’s web design intern position became my apotheosis. And as a bonus, where I learned the application skills needed to successfully reach said goal.

Return

The greatest reward I’ve acquired within the two worlds I’ve come to acquaint myself with is equity. By taking my needs into account through a person-first rather than a disability-first lens, the gods/goddesses who’ve helped me along the way have laid the foundation so I (and others) can reach comparable, favorable outcomes.

April 11th (and later May 15th) will mark the days where I forever leave the two worlds in the rearview mirror. Looking back on everything prior to now, you could say my hero’s journey was victorious given the amount of grit asked of me. You’re probably wondering, though, what I am to do with myself once I’ve crossed the return threshold to the ordinary world?

That’s a question I’m still trying to answer, and with these two options as my witnesses:

1. Freedom to live

2. Call of adventure

Where to go from here? 

Whatever option I happen to choose, all I can hope is that I find happiness to last a lifetime. Just as equity is a path to greater opportunity and wealth for all, the hero’s journey goes hand-in-hand as one’s individual pursuit of said happiness.

Edited by Isabella