Zoom Autism Magazine ZOOM Autism Issue 5 | Page 58

CUMMINGS AND GOINGS A 58 s a now-single parent of a 23-year-old son, I have felt the gambit of every emotion. Perhaps that is why I liked the Disney Pixar movie Inside Out so well. Facing the future for both Conner and me has been difficult. All the plans of our future became a closed book. A new chapter in a new book must be written. As a mom who was doubting herself, feeling lost and overwhelmed, scared of the future and the ‘what-ifs,’ I looked in an entirely new direction and reached out to both the ARC and the Autism Society of Northern Virginia. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. These organizations welcomed us with open arms and guidance. No judgement on where I was for the past 20 years, just “how can we help?” They helped give us the tools not only to face our future but also to embrace it. Conner and I became so active within the Autism Society on a local and national level that I became a board member for both. just the two of us. Not only were we going to get to attend so that Conner could receive his award, but also, as a board affiliate, I was going to be part of the day-long introduction/ training. During our wild and wonderful journey, Conner and I found our voice and turned a Virginia loop-hole into a bill #SB923 and converted the bill into a law—Conner’s Law. Conner, to our surprise and delight, was nominated for the 2015 Advocate of the Year Award by the Autism Society of America and won. I cannot say how excited and humbled we were (picture lots of stimming and jumping) as we knew that so many of you deserved this honor. The award ceremony was to be held at the national convention, July 8-11, in Denver, Colorado. So Conner and I were off on a new adventure as we had never flown across the states together Sharon Cummings, Conner Cummings, David Finch ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses The Autism Society, which is celebrating 50 years of support, announced a new vision at the conference. They are implementing a very important new strategic plan that sets the course for living in a nation where each person with an autism diagnosis is always provided the highest level of respect, dignity and value and provided every opportunity to constantly maximize his or her quality of life. The conference was energizing. We met so many wonderful people—some for the first time and some face-to-face after only be- ing friends on Facebook. The speakers were informative and interesting. There were so many sessions to choose from that it was hard to decide which to attend. The ones we did attend did not disappoint us. A few of Zoom’s regular contributors were speakers themselves, which was an extra bonus for Conner and me. I learned a great deal. One of the highlights of the convention for me was meeting all these people who “get it” and have similar yet unique stories. Conner was one of the individuals to receive an award on the last day, just before the closing keynote speakers. At that point in time, I was not a representative from the Board of Directors for ASNV, nor was I a partner in Zoom. I was simply and proudly Mom—Conner’s mom. Prior to the event, we went to the stage so that Conner could practice walking up the steps and speaking at the podium. He aced it and said he was done and asked if I felt better now. I paced the room until the event started while Conner sat on the floor with plugs in his ears, listening Stephen Shore, Jennifer O’Toole, Conner Cummings to his favorite music. And then I sat right in front of that podium along with friends, trying to listen to what everyone was saying prior to Conner giving his speech and accepting his award. I had two people taping it. The speech was a blur and a stop-in-motion event all at the same time. I was taking pictures through watery eyes, and when his speech was over, I looked around and said, “Oh, my gosh, people are standing up for Conner. He is getting a standing ovation.” That comment and my watery, mascarastained eyes are on one of the videos! I saw Conner get his award; I did not see Conner get his award. It was all a beautiful wonderful haze of love and proudness (Conner’s description). After