By Penny Rosman
Mother of Robin Rosman
Circle of Friends Volunteer

We often hear the term "life-changing" to describe Circle of Friends (COF).  Sometimes I think that might sound like a cliché to people and the words lose their impact.  But, I cannot think of a more powerful way to describe COF because I believe my daughter Robin's life has been, and forever will be, very different than it would have been had she not been involved.  Truly, all her greatest joys in life have come from COF, by way of the meaningful friendships and heartwarming pride in herself this program has afforded her.  No matter how many opportunities we give her to succeed, or how much we love, guide, and praise her, her family cannot secure this quality of self-esteem at home. Of course Robin derives self-esteem from other sources, but it is her relationships within COF that make her feel really important, and that is a beautiful thing.

Robin, who has autism, became involved with the COF Program in 2000 when she started the tenth grade.  She is now 23, so we are in our ninth year of being part of COF.   Our son, Doug, who is now in college, joined COF when he entered high school.  As Robin's brother, he already knew a lot about acceptance of differences, but participating in the program raised his awareness a great deal more.  Over the years I have gotten to know many of the general education students, and I have come to realize that being part of COF changes their lives, sometimes even alters the course of their lives, and benefits them as much as it does the lives of the special education students like Robin.

On a practical note, the social and communication skills Robin has learned from her involvement with COF are phenomenal.  I believe these skills cannot be taught as effectively in traditional speech therapy, the classroom, or even at home from the most devoted and committed of parents.  Whether one-on-one with a friend or in group settings, the learning happens.  Robin learns so much better from being in these natural situations, and what she learns stays with her because she is motivated to interact with her friends and to “fit in” with them.  In addition, her phone skills are excellent, owing to the hundreds of calls she has received from her COF peers and makes to them as well.  I never dreamed her phone skills would be as good as they are, but practice makes perfect!

COF has enhanced Robin's life in so many ways.  It is like it opened up a whole new world to her. While she was happy before COF, like every other person, she wanted to have friends her own age to go places and do things with, to talk to on the phone, or to just hang out with.  COF gave her all that and more. The vital part COF plays in Robin's life and, by extension, the life of our family, is beyond measure. Thank you Barbara and all the extraordinary young people who have given so much of themselves for the benefit of others.