We often go through life dejected, let down, or disappointed. As I sat through a staff meeting today at school, I heard fellow teachers complain about their time, salary, the start of next school year, on and on and on. I went back to my office after the meeting and felt overwhelmed. Grades are due, too many projects on the plate, possibly moving. I was not sure about what to do and when I woudl find the time to complete these tasks.

Throughout the high school, one hears many complaints. I-Pods, clothes, friends, casts, colleges, etc. Typical high school students. I stayed at school for a brief time. I returned home to feed and walk my dogs, and then I was off to rehearsal 50 miles away. When I returned home from rehearsal, I took the dogs out and threw the television on. I am geek. A super geek. I usually watch CNN. Especially now with the election. There is a special on "Finding Amanda," a program about autism.

I never new what autism really was. I will soon. I have to read more about it. I know I have students who have autism. For the record, I refuse to call someone by their disease or complication. No one is autistic or depressed or schizophrenic. They simple suffer from these afflictions. We would not come someone "flu" or "strep."

I am typing this as I continue to watch the program. Quite often I have to stop to watch and listen. The ne young man, D.J., was put up for adoption by his parents because of his autism. Amanda, the focus of the documentary, amazes me. She defines what it feels like to be called "retarded" and what it is like to be labeled. It makes you wonder how we can go through our day, and how dare we think our lives are so tough.

I believe this month is Autism Awareness Month. I ask you, as I plan to do, do not just merely donate money to help the cause, research it. Try to understand what you can. Realize there are brilliant minds trapped in bodies that are uncontrollable. Think before you speak. Try compassion.

As if the documentary wasn’t enough, a commercial came on for Alzheimer’s Disease. My cousin-in-law recently lost his mother this past month. His father had already been suffering from Alzheimer’s for some time. This poor soul did not quite remember his wife, now he is not even aware she has died.

I am not asking for money or anything in particular. When you are exposed to experiences like this, just think. The next time you are angry at your computer- be happy you can type; the next time you argue with a friend or loved one- be happy you can communicate verbally; the next time you don’t get those new shoes- be glad you can put one foot in front of the other.

Don’t less this depress you. I do not think our friends who suffer from these diseases are desperate or pitiful. In fact, I look up to them for their courage and honor. It makes me want to try harder to be what I think it means to be human (or humane).

Autism Awareness

Alzheimer’s Association