Hope For The Future

To all my many wonderful friends through the years, To say I am terrified of what the next four years will bring would be an understatement. However, If one thing has become clear to me it is that even through the most difficult of times a true friend will always be there. Growing up It was hard to make friends and many of the people whom I thought were my friends were only using me. It was not until I came to the Vanguard School that I finally met "my" people. Not everyone at the Vanguard School was my friend but those who were became my friends for life.

There are days when I want to give up. Your words of encouragement helped me keep going. A few years ago when the COVID 19 pandemic hit, one of my Vanguard friends started a chat room where we could all communicate with each other. Together we rode out Covid and are still meeting regularly. It is always a pleasure to see you guys and gals. I really feel like I can be myself around you due to our shared experience.

As members of a marginalized community , I stand with my autistic brothers and sisters hopefully proving that despite our challenges we can live happy authentic lives. Together we can fight entrenched ableism and certain organizations seeking to "cure" us.

We are autistic and proud of it. It will always be part of us but it does not necessarily have to define us. We have all been through the collective trauma that growing up on the spectrum entails. I know there were times for all of us when the cruel outside world would throw curveballs at us. I know that together we can ride out these 4 years and prove to the world what fierce fighters we are.

To all my other friends, autistic or not, Your patience and kindness mean the world to me. Their impact on me has made me a better drummer and overall person including showing me abilities I never knew I had. The World seems like a scary place but again and again I am reminded that there are people who do really care.

Without certain members of my family I would not be in the position I am today so I would like to thank them as well.

Then there are the people I met at the darkest points of my life whom I was able to help and heal with. I don't know what the future will bring, good or bad but I do know that all my friends will always have a special place in my heart.

Together we will ride out this struggle like we have ridden out all the struggles we have faced over the years. Every setback has made us stronger.

I think that together we will be able to help each other keep our sanity intact as we deal with the evil that faces us. I know in the end we will prevail.

We have seen people like us mocked, insulted, institutionalized and marginalized but we will not give up until we create a world where we can be happy and authentically ourselves. We are not damaged or broken we are not a "Normal person" trapped in a shell. We will rise to this moment and we will prosper. I love you all and wish to extend my deepest gratitude for the fact that you are in my life. Together we will make the next 4 years less bitter and angry. We will stick together for only together can we thrive.