The last few days In Scotland were a mix of emotions, ranging from intrigue to sadness (not because of the weather, but because we were leaving Scotland so soon!). We completed our last week with a visit to Autism Initiatives and ended with a day exploring Queen Margaret’s University.
While visiting Autism Initiatives, we found that there were no accessible entrances for wheelchairs. I found this ironic and disappointing for an organization that aims to help those with disability. Other than that, our visit was pleasant. We discussed the group activities that took place for autistic individuals and how the organization carried out helping those people throughout their lives.
Our last visit was to Queen Margaret University, in which we learned a variety of things. We learned about the students with disability population and how the university caters to those individuals. We learned about how significant Queen Margaret University is in the realm of education in Scotland. We also learned about the Speech and Language Therapy course designed for Postgraduates. Overall, I found it to be quite interesting and informative.
My final thoughts regarding Scotland revolve around the fact that I am very, very sad to leave it. I gained new perspectives on all things disability and also on myself, regarding what I wish to study in the future. It allowed me to make relevant connections and lasting memories. This trip has revitalized my goal to aid in healthcare reform and to provide medical care to those who need it. I am super super thankful for the opportunity 🙂
It was shocking to see that number 1 (Autism Initiative) was not handicap accessible. In Massachusetts it would be a major problem to open a place like that if it was not going to be accessible to everyone. Overall, it a good program with good purpose and intention. From what was said, those who participates benefit from it. I really like all the activities they do and how they engage within the community.