My eldest son lives with a mild form of Autism. He occasionally asks me why God made him that way. I have two answers to that question:
1) I believe that all people with disabilities teach people something. Even if only one person needs to get the message, that is the wisdom behind God’s creation. No matter how intellectually or physically impaired a person is, each life has a purpose and must be lived out in order to accomplish it.
2) Every person living with Autism is affected to varying degrees. Some cannot speak, while others can. My son, Maurice can speak, read and write. He is not a savant, nor is he a computer whiz. He has his challenges as do others with this condition. I feel his abilities allow him to tell the world what others with this condition will never be able to express.
Maurice wrote a very poignant poem for his English class which reflects his awareness of how the world sees him. It’s hard to be a teenager and it is even harder to be a teenager who is obviously different from the others. Although I normally post business related items on my blog, I think I would like to give Maurice the opportunity to tell the world how he feels. His poem is below.
A Special Guy
By: Maurice Cormier
God it’s great to be a Special Guy
When you’re looked at
People talking about
How stupid you are
How people love to see you go
Crazy
If you don’t mind at all
God it’s great to be a Special Guy
When people start kicking you out
Of their little social group
Or run away when they see you
Start talking crap in front of you
And laughing
If you don’t mind at all
Oh God it’s great to be a Special Guy
When Girls you try to talk to
Look away and tremble in fear
Friends and boyfriends start threatening you
If you don’t mind at all
Oh Dear God it’s great to be a Special Guy
Having no friends
Eating lunch by myself
Making imaginary people
Feeling angry
If you don’t mind at all
Yes, God it’s so great to be a Special Guy
Getting extra hours on tests
Going on field trips
A nice place to chill and settle
Extra help is close by
And just generally
“Enjoying life in school”
Yes
But then right in the middle of relaxation
Comes the shining
Special Ed. Room
-07/05/10
Maurice, although I met you only very briefly, in my mind you are a very special person with an important purpose in life and something to teach all the rest of us less fortunate than you!
Rock on!
George Polak
This is very touching. For someone who have two siblings with neurological problems; i can relate on how you feel for your sons. Kids can be so mean sometimes; however it looks like you’ve thought your son well on how to deal with ‘em.
As a parent of three very young children, this hits home for me. I cannot imagine the hurt and frustration you must both feel. Maurice, you have created a wonderful work of art. Please keep being the voice of the silent majority.
I think Maurice is beautiful. I have 2 sons with Autism and understand how he feels. I would like to post his poem on my blog if possible.
We would both be honoured. Thank you!
Thank you. I will let you know when I put it up.
Incredibly moving poem. Maurice really is a special guy. Thanks for posting this and sharing it with us.
Many thanks to all of you for your kind comments. Maurice is very pleased to get such positive feedback. As a parent is it really tough to see your child always on the periphery. Acceptance is a real esteem booster. Thank you, again.
Thanks for sharing your feelings in poetic form, Maurice! Very poignant!
Char Elle En, ACSW
Retirement Life Coach
Next In Life Coaching, LLC
Growing Your Legacy!
http://www.nextinlifecoaching.com
I believe that our children are our teachers in this life! In the same way, they learn from us and we learn from them. It is incredible once you can understand this. Maurice is finding the Genius within and you are blessed, Renee. Thanks for sharing your poem, Maurice. Keep them coming. All the best!
Hi Maurice,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful poem. I work at a school for students with learning disabilities, and I know many of them have felt the same way you do. Please visit our blog and read a poem by one of our students posted in June. Sarah expresses many of the same feelings you do!
http://bridgewayschools.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html
Renee, you should be very proud of this young man!
Rhonda