Autism Awareness Day 2018

When autism hit me, it hit me hard. I stopped sleeping well. For a while, I even stopped living my life. Autism became the main thought on my mind. I would live for it, read about it, cry because of it. Autism became my world: a very lonely planet with just my name on it. But, as a movie quote says, "I like to think I took the sourest lemon life offered me and made some great lemonade." I am a music therapist. I connect with children every day. I help them express themselves. I encourage them to step out of their shell. I give them comfort and love and I help them find their voice. They are my joy and inspiration. I do for them what I didn't have the chance to do for others in the past and they bring me peace and solace in the darkest of days. I am grateful for autism and I don't regret it entering my life not one bit. Autism taught me to love. Autism taught me to be patient and kind, strong and resourceful. Autism shaped me into the woman I am today.