I get a good deal of spam, the occasional chain email, and a whole lot of notices I've won a lottery, but I don't think anyone's ever sent me a poem. That changed with an email the other week from one Scott Lentine, who has high-functioning autism and who lives in a Boston suburb. He works for the ARC of Massachusetts where, he says, "I try to persuade lawmakers to pass key disability resources legislation to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities."
He asked me to share one of his beautiful poems here. It speaks to the hopes I have for Max, too.
The Ode to the Autistic Man
Try to understand the challenges that I face
I would like to be accepted as a human in all places
Where I will end up in life I don’t know
But I hope to be successful wherever I go
I would like to expand my social skills in life
Making new friends would be very nice
Stand proud for the autistic man
For he will find a new fan
I hope to overcome the odds I face today
Increased acceptance will lead me to a brighter day
By the age of 20, I will have made tremendous strides
I know in the future, life will continue to be an
interesting ride
I have made new friends by the year
I will be given tremendous respect by my family and peers
I hope to get noted for bringing the issue of autism to the
common man
So that autistic people can be accepted in this great land
Stand proud for the autistic man
For he will find a new fan
I hope to overcome the odds I face today
Increased acceptance will lead me to a brighter day
On my parents.com blog:
• "He Doesn't Look Autistic" and Other Autism Misconceptions
• On Kicking a Co-Sleeping Kid with Special Needs Out of Your Bed
On my parents.com blog:
• "He Doesn't Look Autistic" and Other Autism Misconceptions
• On Kicking a Co-Sleeping Kid with Special Needs Out of Your Bed
This is beautiful! You are very talented Scott!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great poem. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome poem, Scott! You've got a talent for words. There is no doubt in my mind your dreams for the future will come true! Thank you both for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteReading this just gave me chills! What a beautiful poem, Scott. Thank you both for sharing it here :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I teach children with autism & reading this is so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteParable of the Atypical Student
ReplyDeleteA mildly autistic student walks into the classroom. She sits down slowly, easing into the cold, hard seat. One normal student yells, "Hurry up! Don't be slow and stupid!" The autistic student says, "That would be a term to apply to yourself." At the time of handing in of the homework, the autistic student hands in her assignment while the mainstream student wanted to copy hers. She got an A plus on the assignment.