“We All Are Different and Learn Differently:” Rowers Inspired at Conference

On Sunday, April 14th, nine Row New York athletes spent the day at the Sixth Annual Youth Worker Leadership Conference at Pace University. Sponsored by J.E. and Z.B. Butler Foundation and Ramapo for Children, the conference aims to “provide inspiration, resources, and information on strategies and skills for working with children with special needs.” Novice rower Preeti Joshi reflects on her experience at the conference:

I attended three workshops. The first workshop explained how to respond when your buttons are pushed. The second workshop taught us how kids with autism learn at a different pace than kids without autism. The third workshop was about coming together as a group and simply playing games to get along.

In my opinion, I would say the most exciting thing I learned on Sunday was about kids with autism. The conference showed me that very simple things I can achieve, such as passing tape, are different for someone with autism. They may not give up the tape easily or may forget to pass the tape. I learned to be more aware of the needs of kids with autism.

I think one thing I can bring back to Row New York is learning that we all are different and learn differently. Before going to these workshops, I would always have the need to rush someone while teaching them something simple like a game. I would feel like they needed to learn at the same level as me. But after the workshop, I now understand that we all interpret things differently. We are all the same on the outside but different on the inside. Now I can accept taking “the hard way” and continue ahead.

This was a great experience and I’m thankful for it!

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