Assuming Competence

And there, in a space occupied by teenagers and young adults, many of whom have high enough support needs to have spent lifetimes with caregivers, teachers, clinicians, and other experts assuming INcompetency...we found community and a path towards true independence and freedom, confidence and know-how gained through lived experience. I'm grateful, every day, to exist in community with autistic and other neurodivergent people, to feel kinship with vulnerable and oppressed folks, and to step, inch by inch, in the direction of harm reduction, healing, and empowerment. -G