HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Sometimes little things can create big changes in people's lives.
Anna Liv Roberts has autism
Roberts volunteers at Bullington Gardens
The afterschool program helps get her out of her comfort zone
For a western North Carolina autistic teen, an afterschool program has made all the difference in her life and future.
Anna Liv Roberts is a rising 11th grader, and at just 15, she’s discovered her green thumb at Bullington Gardens.
Roberts’ autism often makes her feel stressed and overwhelmed, but she finds help in an afterschool program in Hendersonville, Bullington Onsite Occupational Student Training (BOOST).
The program is for sophomores with special needs at Henderson County high schools. Though Roberts is no longer a sophomore, she still spends her time volunteering at the gardens weekly, even during summer break.
“I love being here,” Roberts said. “It's a great way to relieve some stress of the big world.”
She said volunteering makes her feel like a better person.
Beyond enjoying it, Roberts loves how inclusive the gardens’ afterschool program is.
During her time in the BOOST program, she was part of a team that designed and budgeted for gardening onsite. Her team presented the design to judges, even planting the flowers and getting to see them blossom.
“We built a bridge, and we created an equal sign, because we're all equal in different ways,” Roberts said of the garden they built.
The students in the program get to work on the grounds, gardens and greenhouse.
Roberts said it took some courage for her to begin working at the gardens. She doesn’t like to get her clothes dirty; it makes her anxious. But she was determined.
“Then I started to have some second thoughts, meaning, I wanted to try it out, and I did, and then I eventually liked it,” Roberts said. “That’s why I’m wearing some old clothes that I don’t mind getting dirt on.”
The afterschool program got Roberts out of her comfort zone.
“I have to say yes to new things, but I also want to use the ‘walk the plank method’ where we talk about our fears and some excitements and what we can do about it,” Roberts said. “All I do is just try one thing once or twice, if I don't like it I just try something else. But if I do like it I keep moving forward with it.”
Lessons like this one will carry on with her forever.
Part of growing for Roberts has also meant dealing with adversity.
“I’ve been called the ‘r’ slur multiple times,” Roberts said. One little word making her feel abandoned by her peers. But she learned from the experience.
“Try not to let the negative experiences in the past hold us back,” Roberts said.
She focuses on the present. She’s also involved in Spanish club, theater and is a former cheerleader. Roberts said it's always important to do afterschool activities because it gets her more engaged.
She even helps lead other special needs kids at the gardens and hopes to be an example back at school too.
“You never know what someone is going through, so always be kind,” Roberts said.
