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among friends to the feeling of beginning again and
“I am not sure I will succeed”.
His mother joined the staff of New River Community
College inOctober of his second year. He then became
acquainted with the people in her department and
also visited the classroom of his Aunt Janet, who had
taught English at NRCC for several years. He met a
faculty member I had taught in kindergarten my first
year in Pulaski. How time flies!
Keaton completed all of the required courses for
an Associate Degree in Administrative Support
Technology. He was on the President’s List each
semester, receiving a total of nineteen A’s and three B’s.
(He counted them all, as he loves facts with figures.)
He won the top honor from his department, receiving
the Presidential Administrative Technology Support
Award. For yet another graduation ceremony family
and friends were present to see him receive his
diploma. Most students shook hands with Dr. Lewis,
the college president, as they walked across the stage.
Not Keaton, he gave Dr. Lewis a big hug!
Keaton has had a long time fear of persons’ knowing
that he is autistic. He wants to “be normal” and to be
accepted as such. Once when he had exasperated all
of us, he asked his mother how people knew he was
autistic or had a disability, as he likes to call it. Her
reply was to ask him if he thought it could be going
in circles with his arms straight out or possibly his
repetition of words or questions. This appeared to go
right by him. Today he still rubs his hands together
and gives a big smile when he is excited and/or happy.