21st Century Student Shares Personal Obstacles on Her Journey to Becoming a Camp Counselor

Fifteen-year-old Emily Williams is a perfect example of someone who has faced her obstacles head on, walked through them, and came out stronger on the other side.

And now she will be able to use her story to motivate and mentor others. At the age of 10, Williams was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome but through determination, she has learned to manage the majority of her ‘tic attacks,’ which she describes as being similar to an anxiety or panic attack that can last anywhere from one to five hours straight.

“I usually get a tic attack when an event stirs up my emotions, to the point where I’m overwhelmed,” said Williams. “If I have an attack close to my bed time, I won’t be able to sleep that night. My mind is restless, even after the tic attack ends. I could be relaxed or happy, and my tics will still be acting up. Nothing really helps me during the attacks. The tics calm down on their own.”

Fast forward a couple of months and Williams was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which opened up another set of challenges.

“Since I have Asperger’s, I tend to get ‘shut-downs’ which also happen if I’m overwhelmed,” she said. “During the previous school year, I used to shut down while doing homework with my mom right next to me, trying to help me finish my work. I would become so frustrated and stressed out, to where I’d shut down. The only thing that could help me was a quick break using my phone or computer.”

It is Williams’ drive and determination that are guaranteed to make her a successful role model for others in the 21^st Century program. Since she was 11 years old, not long after her dual diagnoses, Williams has been attending the summer program as a camper, and she started working at the program during the summer of 2017. She is currently undergoing the camp counselor-in-training course, where she assists other counselors to learn and grow as a future counselor herself. If she proves that she can handle the job, she will get hired on as an official camp counselor when she turns 16.

“My accomplishments are to help the kids feel happier and more comfortable with me, and I want to give them the best summer they’ve ever had,” said Williams. “Not only do I want to teach the younger ones about my disabilities, but I want to teach as many people as I can, no matter what age.”

Williams hopes to share her own ways of working through her obstacles, with others attending the program. She is a big believer in taking breaks and finding an outlet that allows you to cater to creativity.

“For those who also deal with autism, Tourette’s, or any other kind of obstacle that interferes with their daily lives, I’d say to keep being yourself, no matter what,” she said. “I’ve made so many good friends, acquaintances, and people who support me just by showing who I truly am. Also, remember to take breaks when needed. When I take breaks, I usually go into a quiet space and listen to my idol, Lady Gaga’s music. Creating art is also a technique I use to handle stress and negativity. I’ve taught myself how to draw, and I’ve been creating human-like animals on paper ever since I was 9 years old.”