Being nonverbal for years
I often tried to have conversations with my peers
Using body language to bring on communication.
My mind was looking for the right way to tell my parents I loved them
When the doctors said I had regressed.
I knew in my heart I was there.
People sometimes didn’t understand.
While I often didn’t understand the world around me.
When I first started speaking, I found new possibilities
While supports gave me new opportunities.
Getting good grades in school became my motivation.
Being accepted for who I was became an objective.
Because bullying became a difficulty.
Years later even more things I wanted to do became a reality.
And I realized I wanted to become a role model —
That with hard work and determination we can all achieve amazing things.
And for our loved ones we could help them along the way.
With your help we will bring change.
Because with my parents help that nonverbal 2.5 year old boy today is now a national speaker, best-selling author, movie consultant, nonprofit founder, television host and full-time employee at Autism Speaks.
We will make a difference.
And when it happens you will be there with us.
It will be because we know all our loved ones, with or without special needs, just want to progress and be the best they can be every day.
Believe every day in our community.
Believe in hope.
We are learning more about finding the right supports for our loved ones.
Believe in the beauty in our community.
And finally…
Believe our loved ones will do anything they set their minds too. My parents always believed in me, and we always need someone to believe in us.
For every accomplishment, no matter how small. We will give them the supports.
Believe in them…
Always.
I shared this poem while speaking about my journey on the autism spectrum at the Autism Speaks Southern New Jersey Walk. If you ever need someone to talk too, to help you believe, you can contact me anytime via my Facebook Page.
This post originally appeared on KerryMagro.com.
Kerry Magro is an award-winning professional speaker, best-selling author, autism advocate and consultant who is on the autism spectrum. A recent Masters graduate from Seton Hall University, he currently is CEO and Founder of KFM Making a Difference, a non-profit corporation focused on disability advocacy and housing. In 2012, Kerry consulted for the major motion picture “Joyful Noise” starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton. You can follow Kerry at www.kerrymagro.com, via Facebook at Facebook.com/Kerrymagro and/or on Twitter @Kerrymagro.
kerry-magro