This week, I voted in my first election. My mom strongly believed that it was essential for me to vote for Hillary Clinton because she was the only candidate who cares about supporting people like me, with various developmental disabilities. Donald Trump is a bully who made fun of a reporter in a wheelchair. He’s so selfish and cruel that he would never bother to help me and others like me find a paying job and live independently one fine day. With Trump as president, I’m so worried that he will probably try to take away my social security and the limited resources I currently receive.
As a young woman who was sexually assaulted in college, I was horrified to learn that Trump has bragged about making unwanted advances and taking advantage of women because of his wealth and power. I wonder how he would feel if one of his own daughters had an unwanted pregnancy. Would he be against abortion then? I don’t think so. In my opinion, that makes him a hypocrite.
The heartbreaking news is that Trump actually won the election. I’m really shocked and devastated that he is now our president, in spite of all of the horrible, hateful things he said about Muslims, Afro Americans, veterans, 
women and people with disabilities, more Americans voted for him than Hillary Clinton. I can’t understand why, and neither can my mom. My mom has explained that many people don’t understand this mystery, especially here in New York where Hillary won. I suppose that people in other parts of the country—especially less educated white men who are out of work—prefer a hateful and racist bully over someone who will continue Obama’s programs and keep things the same. They want change for the sake of change, even if the change might be terrible and take our country backwards.
I was incredibly proud and excited to vote in my first election for the first woman ever to run for president. Most little children have dreams about who they want to be when they grow up. If Hillary had won the election, little girls everywhere might have felt inspired to run for President someday, knowing it was possible. What will they think now that we have a president who judges women by their weight, race and appearance? How will the parents of other daughters explain how this happened? I know it won’t be easy. And I know my dream of being a performing artist and living on my own may be delayed by Donald Trump.
As it turns out, the only part of this election that was easy was casting my ballot. The whole voting process lasted only 10 minutes. The election workers were so friendly and helpful, showing me how to fill in the circles like we do on standardized tests and then slide the ballot into the machine. I felt so proud and excited to participate and make my voice heard, even though I have disabilities and sometimes struggle with life skills. Voting turned out to be surprisingly easy-peasy, despite my mom’s concern that we might wait on line for hours, or that I might not have the right identification, since I don’t have a driver’s license. But in the end, I’ve learned that making progress is sometimes much more difficult than we thought it would be. I guess we’re going to need patience (A LOT!) if we want to make progress and move forward toward our dreams.
Marguerite Elisofon is a New York City writer and the author of My Picture Perfect Family, a memoir about how her family navigated life with a child on the autistic spectrum before the internet and support groups existed. She also blogs about parenting young adults and disability related issues in The Never Empty Nest. Her writing has been featured in a variety of publications, including Time and NY Metro Parents magazine, and her family’s story has been featured by the NY Post, Fox News, The Daily Mail, and on Jenny McCarthy’s Dirty Sexy Funny radio show. A Vassar graduate, Marguerite was born and raised in New York City, where she still lives with her husband, Howard, in their mostly-empty nest. She is available to speak about a wide variety of issues relating to twins, parenting, and autism. 
Congratulations, Samantha, on your fine article. I know that my own daughter, who is about your age, shares many of your sentiments about the election.
As her editor, I thank you on Samantha’s behalf and will share your comment with her when I see her on Monday.
Thanks.
Samantha, the first time I voted, the person I voted for did not win. I was still proud I had voted. This year, I voted for Hillary, and, although she did not win, I am proud I voted for her. I am very happy you were proud that you voted, and I’m sure you will feel proud when you vote again next year, and every year after that, for the person you think is the best choice. In the meantime, remember there are rules that every president must follow, even President Trump, so let’s hope he does a good job as the president of the whole country.
Thanks, Irwin, on behalf of Samantha. I think we’re in the position of preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.
Dear Samantha,
My daughters are close to your age and share your despair. I teach in a local university, and this week was different from the rest. It was quiet. And sad. Students were upset for all the reasons you describe. You are not alone. My students are from diverse backgrounds, to include students with disability.
Two things I would like to offer: the first is that when we get close to a goal there can be unforseeable setbacks. Kind of like “two steps forward, one foot back.” The price of eight pretty classy years with Obama may be four years with what’s-his-name. That’s just human nature, and what we have seen in history. I don’t know why.
I do know that we need to respond right now and work to change the tide. History has also shown that this works. How? Let’s begin to organize about the mid-term elections. (My daughters did not know much about this either, but your parents will.) It basically means that we get people elected to tell Mr. Trump that people like your family and mine might not agree with his ideas. While most New Yorkers agree with us, you can reach out to the world as a blogger. I can see you have your Mom’s gift as a writer.
The other idea may seem more fun, but it requires serious commitment and two words: make art. While we have just seen that the media records one version of reality, the subtext (delicious word, about the meaning beneath what someone says) is always expressed and recorded in art. The next four years could be a Renaissance, or re-birth of the Arts and Sciences. So your feelings and artistic abilities have an important place in our future: sing your song, write your blog, imagine your future. Let’s make this a moment when we can decide to be better than ever.
All the best,
Patricia Cregan Navarra,
friend of your parents since 1985
I am very moved by your “piece”
thank you for sharing
Thanks from mom.