From the Afterword
“What am I going to be, if my autism can never be cured? When I was little, this question was always a - big, big worry. I used to be afraid that as long as I had autism I'd never be able to live properly as a human being. There were so many things I couldn't do like other people, and having to apologize day in, day out totally drained me of hope.
I hope that by reading my explanations about autism and its mysteries, you can come to understand that all the obstacles that present themselves don't come from our selfishness or from ego. If all of you can grasp this truth about us, we are handed a ray of hope. However hard an autistic life is, however sad it can be, so long as there's hope we can. And when the light of hope shines on all this world, stick at it.
And when the light of hope shines on the world, then our future will be connected with your future. That's what I want, above all.”
The Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism by Naoki Higashida, translator Keiko Yoshida, David Mitchell
Invitation: ‘...so long as there's hope...”
“Without awareness of what autism is and how it manifests, it becomes difficult for individuals and society as a whole to fully understand and appreciate the experiences of those on the spectrum. Awareness provides the knowledge and understanding necessary to recognize the diversity and complexity of the autism spectrum, including its varied strengths and challenges.
Awareness serves as a catalyst for change–it prompts conversations, challenges stereotypes, and promotes empathy and understanding. When individuals become aware of the realities of autism, they are better equipped to advocate for the rights and needs of individuals on the spectrum, whether it’s in education, employment, healthcare, or community inclusion. In this way, awareness lays the groundwork for creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with autism.” from https://keshet.org/ at this (LINK)
We will meet for the Community Table Monday, April 28st at 4:30 PM ET. Contact us for information HERE.
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"If all of you can grasp this truth about us, we are handed a ray of hope. However hard an autistic life is, however sad it can be, so long as there's hope we can. And when the light of hope shines on all this world, stick at it.
And when the light of hope shines on the world, then our future will be connected with your future. That's what I want, above all.” As the author speaks about being a person with autism, I am inspired to reflect upon all kinds of human differences -- and grasping the truth about them --- offering a ray of hope to all of us.