I have one.  I went to a wonderful (expensive) school and worked hard, had a great time and racked up a large student loan bill ($51000).  My bachelor of science degree is in parks, recreation and tourism, with emphasis in leisure service management.  How on earth does someone get such a “slacker” education, you ask?  Let me tell you the story.

I started my college education a mere 90 minutes from home, thinking I would be closer to my then boyfriend.  BTW, we broke up shortly after prom, so the distance from home and to his school was moot by then!  I went to Arkansas State University with an intended major of Agriculture Business. I lived in the dorms and lo and behold, the sorority suite was RIGHT NEXT DOOR to me.  So of course I joined!  Yes, I’m a Phi Mu girl!

After the first year, I realized I was going nowhere and partying and playing way too much.  I transferred to my #1 school, University of MIssouri.  I started with an education major. I had 18 hours, worked 30 hours a week and lived in a duplex with 2 (sometimes 3) other girls.  I was doing rather poorly in my classes and not getting much out of them.  I dropped them slowly one by one…all of them by October.  I remember how scared I was to call and tell my father (the high school educator with a doctorate) that I was quitting college.  Maybe not so much quitting, as taking a break.

I applied for a new job and started working full time plus, quickly getting promoted to a lead sales position at the hotel.  I met my future (ex) husband, got married.  I returned to school that summer with a couple of summer classes. I did okay.  That fall I started back with Nursing as my major.  Uhm, OUCH!  I did not do well with the science classes—I say not taking the higher science classes in HS attributed to me not doing good.  So I dropped the 2 hard science classes.  And went to the student center to find a new path.

I played the card, took a couple of tests, and it pointed me towards Recreational Therapy. Wah?  Yes, Recreational Therapy–using play to heal!  I met with the advisor of the program and heard a bit more….I was hooked.  I singed on completely that day!  I took lots of sociology classes, even had to attend AA and NA meetings!  But the life changing day came when my future mentor came to speak to our small class of 3.  The two Kelly’s and me.   Her name was Frances and she worked with the City of Columbia.  She was the “director” of Special Olympics and adaptive programs.  That evening there was to be the monthly dance for the adaptive community.  We all volunteered to go.

Our intent was to dance with the participants and get them to do the electric slide, cha cha slide, funky chicken…all the fun silly songs too!  Just get everyone involved and no more wall flowers!  We went and had a blast!  Most of the people there were Mentally Retarded.  They aged from age 12 to in their 50s.  It was the most wonderful 2 hours.

Frances asked to come the next month… I was the only wone who could make it, but that was fine.  After a couple of months, everyone knew me and I was the most in demand dance partner!  I helped DJ the dances after the regular volunteer started having other commitments…so I became the DJ!  And I started getting music together a head of time and getting my list together for their favorites and the more upbeat and easy to dance to.

I also started to help with the once a week basketball “practices”–a few of the high school kids didn’t feel they were “Special” enough for the olympics, but wanted their own time to play.  So I ran them through skills and let them play 3 on 3.

Eventually, it was time for me to do my end of education internship.  I was supposed to do Anatomy class and study under a Licensed Recreational Therapist.  But I didn’t take anatomy….I no longer qualified for the program, but I could have Leisure Service Management!!  I did my intership with the City of Columbia and worked with Special Olympics, Adaptive Recreation and at the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC).  I coached, played, cheered for Special Olympics golf, softball, bocce, swimming, and volleyball.  I kept doing the dances, I planned group outings to St. Louis Cardinals, I helped run the ARC–making sure the gym and exercise equipment were cared for and patrons were happy.  I LOVED IT!

After my internship ended in August of 2004, I kep right on coaching and cheering and helping with the dances.  But my marriage was quickly deteriating and I was more and more unhappy at home. I would rather spend all of my free time with my “kids”  I started a new full time job–sort of using my degree with recreation and travel.  But my boss/friend/mentor started treating me differently as I started dating.

I had a pretty bad experience–I’d say borderline rape if not completely…and I fell apart.  I came  to the next volleyball practice pretty bad off.  Everyone thought I was hungover…..I was just gone.  After that point, I didn’t feel as welcomed anymore–even though I never showed up like that again.

I missed working and playing with the athletes.  It was so much fun to watch the develop and learn…and just have a good time!  I have a few pictures…the majority were lost when I got divorced though.

I’ve been planning to go and find a few groups to work with here, but then I was pregnant and afraid of getting hit.  Now I have the baby and no sitter. And any free time I have with Papi, i’d like to spend it with him.

I encourage you to look into helping those with Special Needs.  It is the most rewarding thing you could do.  There are sports all year round, and participants are aged 8 and up.  You will have to fill out a little paperwork to become a volunteer-they have to make sure you’re not a weirdo-but it take s aminute or two.

Okay….that’s my story.  Now go help someone smile!