Thanks to New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Golden Door International Film Festival for allowing me the opportunity to introduce the film Jack of The Red Hearts at a free screening hosted at NJCU. During the introduction I shared a few words about my story with April being Autism Awareness Month. This is what I had to say…
Good evening everyone. April is Autism Awareness Month and I was asked to share a few words about it.
A person who has autism is different and not less. No two people with autism are a like. Some people may have very few differences while others may have more. People with autism have unique abilities. They can process information at such a fast rate at times and are some of the most intelligent people you’ll ever meet.
You may not know this about me but I couldn’t talk till I was 2.5. I have autism. I am just like anyone else. I have a job. I have a girlfriend. I love basketball, movies, fresh prince of bel-air reruns and being around people like my friends and family. When people touch me at times it can scare me. Loud noises affect me as well. I twirl my hair and my hands when I have too much information to process in my head. I also have a hard time understanding sarcasm and other people’s perspectives.
While each person with autism has their own challenges I can say that most people with autism just want to be accepted. Autism is a part of who we are. Love us for that and everything else that makes us special in this world, because what often makes us different makes us oh so beautiful too. Thank you.
