The Turning Point

“Working with children with autism has provided me with an opportunity to see the world in a different way. I see them strive to overcome obstacles and persevere and learn to persevere myself. They are my inspiration”

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A major turning point in my life was when I started working as an SSO with a young girl with non-verbal autism. She came into my life at a time when I was completely lost; I didn’t know who I was and didn’t have a lot of direction in my life. Amazingly she has changed my whole perspective on life and made me see things in a completely different light. I am now seeking help through both a psychologist and kinesiologist. In addition to the things I was already doing to try and cope with everyday life, I have started Yoga classes and am using essential oils as a natural solution for physical, emotional and spiritual issues. I am now open too trying new things and have developed a real interest in alternative therapies. I have now started to take the necessary steps to help in my recovery.

It is simply amazing how a young girl who struggles to communicate and express here own needs or thoughts has had such an enormous impact on me. I developed an instant love and passion for working with individuals with special needs. I feel lucky everyday getting to work with her and she teaches me more and more about life everyday. It is incredible what we can learn from the young people around us. I believe she would want everyone around her to utilise their strengths and to be the best version of themselves. Seeing her succeed and overcome challenges brings me so much joy and happiness. I have always felt such a strong connection to her. When I think about it, she represents something that I felt all through my childhood. For so long I was in silence and felt that I couldn’t speak. I now want to be her voice and the voice for other non-verbal individuals.

She is my inspiration

I want to protect her as I feel she is amongst some of the most vulnerable. Children with autism may encounter communication challenges that may make them particularly desirable targets of sexual offenders because of the perception that they will be unable to disclose the abuse. This really scares me as some of these children would have difficulty disclosing the abuse or even understanding what is going on. As I have a voice, I feel I need to be the voice for these individuals; I have the power to speak and make a difference. I am motivated to do something that is important, something that helps someone or that makes the world a better place. I hope in some small way I can make a difference in someone else’s life.

I feel that she has come into my life for a reason; to show me how special the small things in life are, and as a reminder to us all to enjoy and live life to the fullest. She can instantly light up any room with her joy and infectious smile. She is absolutely my inspiration, and I have since found some purpose and direction. I will forever be grateful that she come into my life.

There have been a few people that have come into my life in the last year and have made a massive influence and impact on my life. I will continue to show them just how much I appreciate their support and guidance.

Someone shared this passage with me and I would like to finish by sharing it with you. I want to share it with all of you because it really forced me to think. The things that I have experienced have helped shape me into the person that I am today.

“It’s crazy that every single thing I’ve been through, even the things I wish never happened – the thing I literally cried on the kitchen floor over – are what brought me to where I am and who I am today. Like every shitty, horrible thing that you’ve ever wished you could go back in time and undo, is part of the reason for any good that has happened along the path your life is currently on. You can chalk it up to the butterfly effect, or karma, or fate, or magic, or coincidence, or God. But the fact remains that every bad thing that’s happened to you is partly responsible for every good thing that’s going to happen to you.”