Chc Experience

Felix Padron Professor Gonzalez ENC1101 October 24, 2012 The CHC Experience Happiness, all of us have felt it at one point or another. Some of us feel happy all the time. Others like me want to be happy all the time, but we can’t figure out how. A very few of us pursue happiness with great effort. They might travel around the world or even jump from an airplanes. Still they just can’t find what makes them feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Dictionary.com defines happiness as “an active or passive state of pleasure or pleasurable satisfaction.” The Constitution state’s the pursuit of happiness is one of our unalienable rights, but why must it be pursued? Why can’t we all just be happy? Why is this such a difficult task after we mature? I remember when playing with a cheap, red, PartyCity balloon provided all the laughs and smiles one kid could handle. Little things like going for a car ride, a piece of candy, and watching a duck take bread from my hand would make the day more than memorable. I was happier than Elmo from Sesame St, but now I spend more time frowning than Oscar the grouch. On my first trip to CHC I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never had any interaction with a mentally disabled adult and I am always a bit nervous before I try anything for the first time. I walked in with Ben hoping he would guide me through. (Looking back, I should of let him know of my situation, but it all work out fine.) It wasn’t long before one of the student of CHC came strolling by. I watched Ben put on a big smile, wave and say “hello, my name is Ben. What’s your name?” The Student’s eyes opened wide. The corner of his lips shot up and with

unmeasurable excitement said “my name is Orlando.” He then shook Ben’s hand like one would shake the hand of a celebrity. Surprised, I didn’t think it would be this easy. Smiling, waving and saying hello, these are things I can do very well. After all, these are skills taught at the elementary and possibly the preschool level. Now in...