It’s Okay to be Different
by Lacy Scarmana, intern from the Rockwood School District

    I was four years old when I learned how to read. The words on the pages of books finally had meaning and I was fascinated with deciphering the stories they told.
    I was also four when I found out that my 40-year-old uncle, Jimmy, couldn’t read. He is autistic and even though he is able to hold a job and use numbers remarkably well, he has never been able to master reading.
    Growing up, it was obvious to me that Jimmy was different; his speech was harder to understand than most people and it took him longer to process information. But I was raised with the understanding that people had their unique qualities, so I never dwelled on the differences between us.
    However, as I grew older, I became aware of strangers who stared at Jimmy when he spoke and people who kept their distance because he seemed strange. I could tell that Jimmy was aware of people’s behavior toward him, but I couldn’t understand why they acted that way. I wished they could all see the truly remarkable man that is Jimmy.­­
    Jimmy was one of my childhood idols. He visited us every year at Christmas and my family visited him in the summer. When I was younger, it was a rare moment for me to be separated from him on one of these visits. He would joke and play with me more than any other adult I knew, and maybe that’s something we need to think about. People with autism are often considered angry and are known for having tantrums, but if you look into the times when those tantrums occur, you will most likely find that it is when the autistic person feels that he or she is being controlled.
    Jimmy and other people with autism are at their best when they can simply be themselves—when people are not controlling them. They seem to be happiest around people who are joyful. I think that’s why Jimmy and I formed such a strong bond when I was younger; it seems that young kids tend to be happier than adults and see the best in other people.                           
    It’s natural to be curious when you see someone who looks different, such as when a person is disabled or has an injury. Humans have a natural tendency to focus on things that seem out of the ordinary. We’ve all, at some point, been guilty of staring too long at someone in the supermarket who is physically different.
    Curiosity allows us to continue learning, but we must keep in mind the difference between noticing people’s irregularities and making rash judgments based upon them.
    People with autism are often pitied because they aren’t “normal.” However, instead of pitying them or trying to fix what is assumed to be “broken,” might we embrace and celebrate how exceptional these human beings are? Autism is nothing to be ashamed of. While they are all unique, people with autism are often honest, genuine, dependable and joyful people. So perhaps the rest of us should be taking our cues from them.
    Autism doesn't define who a person is, it is simply a label that was placed on them to explain their differences. People who are considered mentally disabled, like Jimmy, live full and happy lives. Jimmy is one of the hardest workers I have ever met; he always shows up to work on time, goes above and beyond the duties asked of him and has a strong desire to learn and succeed in his job. He shows loyalty and pride in the jobs he performs.
    Having Jimmy in my life has taught me the importance of embracing and respecting people’s unique qualities rather than automatically jumping to conclusions about them.  Every person, no matter what irregularities he or she may have, is a complex human being and shouldn’t be judged too quickly.
    I know, first-hand, how people like Jimmy may surprise you if given the chance. While lacking the ability to read may cause others to shy away from life, Jimmy’s numerous other capabilities vastly overshadow his inability. 

Best Friends
by Katelyn Rudolph, intern from the Rockwood School District

    As a young child, I remember wanting to have a puppy. Even though I was afraid of them, I wanted a dog to call my own because I thought they were cute and adorable. My parents doubted that I would be able to take care of a living, breathing animal. My mom didn't want to take care of a rambunctious, wild, little puppy, but my dad was keen on getting us a dog, hoping that my sister and I would learn responsibility and gain a friend. So, I suggested that instead of getting a dog of my own, we could get a family dog. My parents re-considered and I knew my dream of having a little puppy was getting closer.
    A few months later, just as Christmas was rolling around, my dad came home from work with a small, adorable ball of chocolate-colored fur in his arms. A puppy! I couldn’t have been more excited. We named her, CoCo, and my life was changed forever.
    In her puppy years, CoCo brought laughter and joy into our lives as she landed herself in silly situations — they still make us laugh. She is a constant source of entertainment. She gets excited whenever we take her in the car and let her stick her head out the window. One time, when CoCo was in her awkward stage, not really a puppy but not really an adult dog, she got her head stuck in the trash can while frantically sniffing and searching for a snack. CoCo still provides us with hilarious stories to share with our friends and family and probably always will.
    For other families who are considering adopting a dog, the emotional and spiritual benefits for our family outweighed our list of drawbacks. For my sister and me, we gained someone to play with and an everlasting friend. For my parents, she provided an opportunity to teach us responsibility. Dogs can also help a family cope with losing a loved one or other significant situations, by just being there to offer endless unconditional love, sloppy kisses and crooked smiles.
      More than two years ago, my family and I moved from Minnesota to St. Louis because my Dad took a new job. He was going to be working for Emerson Electric. I was going into my sophomore year of high school and loving life. Moving was the last thing I wanted. But I had friends and family who supported me through it all, including my sweet CoCo.
   When we finally moved into our new house, I was far away from my friends, but CoCo was there—my friendly sidekick. Those first few weeks were difficult. My sister and I would be attending new schools soon, which caused a lot of anxiety for us. But CoCo, my faithful companion, saw us through, and continued to be there as I struggled to make friends and to adjust to my new life in St. Louis. Every day, she excitedly greeted me, instantly making me feeling better after a rough day at school. 
    In my opinion, there’s nothing that cheers you up quite as fast as an excited, tail-wagging greeting from a happy pooch. There’s no one friendlier, more loyal and more trusting. Dogs have an incredible way of always evoking pure positive energy, and no matter what you do in your life, they will always love you. You feed them; they love you. You play with them; they love you. You take them for a walk occasionally; they love you. You forget to walk them; they still love you anyway.
    It’s an unconditional friendship between human and dog and there’s nothing in the world that I’ve yet experienced that’s more beautiful. It's pure, and for as long as CoCo is alive, I know that our friendship will never change. She'll never tell my secrets, never break my heart, never feel envious of me and never lie to me. CoCo has been the most loyal friend that I've ever had and I'm glad to have been her friend, too.
    So, when it comes to owning a dog, think about the everlasting friendship and bond you’ll create. Instead of just adding a pet, you’ll be adding a new member to your family.