I was one of the very first students to graduate from the Bridge School in 1991. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to attend Bridge School in Hillsborough because the staff there taught me how to develop great self-confidence and self-esteem through the use of my Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Touch Talker device, how to use a computer for reading and writing and educational participation. I also know if I did not attend there, I would not be where I am today. I would have remained in San Francisco Public School's special education classes and would not have had an opportunity to learn to read, write, and achieve academically at a communicative level with my peers.

The Bridge School has always been a part of my life and they are very kind people who today I still keep in touch with. I have always enjoyed going to the Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California every year. It has always been wonderful to see all of the familiar faces of my old classmates and their families, and the staff members. I also enjoy meeting some new students and their families. The singers that performed last year were Neil Young, James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, Thom Yorke, Tenacious D, Foo Fighters, LeAnn Rimes, The Other Ones, and Vanessa Carlton. They were all fantastic and it was another enjoyable and unforgettable evening.

I have participated in various AAC Future Leader events, where teenagers and adults get together and do stuff. I have hung out in the dorms at UC Berkeley with friends for a couple of days in the summers. We learned about self-advocacy skills training, group discussion opportunities with local leaders, and attendant care services. I have also enjoyed going skiing to the Tahoe Adaptive Ski School located in Lake Tahoe, California with my friends. It is another opportunity to be away from home, but still be with people who love us and who know our needs. I am looking forward to more events in the near future, have fun with friends and, meet new people.