This is Luke... And his Amazing Autism!

by Maria (Ehma) Porpio

Beyond the challenges of Luke's Autism are individuals who do great things. Newton's third law of motion, "For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction," corroborates the same theory of the enriching experience I have of this disorder at its best. The more struggles I conquer, the more amazing people I meet in return. Four years ago, I wished for his Autism to be cured… gone… extinguished. But on the process of my soul searching, my purpose gradually unfolding, it seems like I was opening a gift. Slowly undoing the wrapper one layer at a time, it has becoming clearer to me: Autism is a blessing.  Well, if I could have known this is a gift in the beginning, I would have embraced it with an open mind and less whining. But I get it; some gifts are great, so great that it takes all of what you are and what you have to even realize they’re there. The emotional and sometimes physical pain that Autism brought was downright raw and there was no other way to rise from it except to feel it; recognize the problem; accept the diagnosis; fight the damn battle because only through that was I able to see it as a true gift.

Last week, I blogged about Ripples of Autism Awareness…

Today, we did it! Yes, “we” because even if my husband was away to hunt for our provisions, he was there to support all along. After all, this is both our battle. 

   

“We” because as I trod towards the school, I was accompanied by an angel in the form of a friend named Val, who personally volunteered her time to be there, to support me, to take pictures and video and just simply cheer me on. Such a beautiful soul!

“We” because one awesome friend and neighbor, Andria suggested this to me, so this awareness was not a brilliant idea of mine to claim. It’s hers. 

“We” because: Ms Mo, you never cease to become heroes to all the kids and to us. Although it’s already past bedtime, you chose to take the time to offer words of encouragements. 

“We” because two sparkpeople, Carine and Liza shone their light and their love is always in action!

“We” because of Leslie’s voice, the only voice I badly wanted to hear that day. After her call, I was again driven and overflowed with confidence that everything will work. She has been my mentor during this journey.

“We” because of my daughter, Angelica and her tactics, without her there would not have been a successful awareness at all. She’s like the editor making sure words used are not heavy for kindergartners.

You see, it does take a village…

Albeit excited, I was nervous too. My spirit started to plunge. I began to have doubts. The pile of what-ifs kept growing. With kindergartners and their incorruptible minds, I struggled to give them the best information possible. It was simplicity and brevity of the message that I was having a hard time with.

Here is our story:

(Plot is adapted from one of PBS Arthur's espisode)

If I have to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat. I was there to raise awareness and realized that the best population to start it with is Kindergartners because their eagerness to learn about Autism sparked a flame of inspiration. They were attentive, very respectful and had all ears... until Luke shouted, “Chuck E Cheese."