New Jersey: Jasour – News Desk
I wanted very deeply to express something to the whole world, and express now something that I wanted to say to all of you very much. Yet I was ignored profoundly and, more importantly, the group that I stand for, was also ignored very much by society. I cannot remain on the sidelines any longer, and I am now prepared to speak my peace and say what is in my heart.
My name, in case most people do not know, is Christopher C Gagliardi. I am a 43-year-old male from a city called Englewood, New Jersey, USA. Like so many Americans, I have a great life rich in blessings. I go to school, studying to become a journalist. I also have a wonderful mom who supports my every move and my goals. I have a wonderful community that has embraced me and has cared for me and everything that I have had has made me the person who I am today. However, 43 years ago, I was not like this, the man whose letter you are reading now.
For you see, 43 years ago – I was born with a challenge called infantile autism.
For those who do not know what autism is, let me explain it very profoundly. At that time, no one really understood autism, and my frequent “tantrums,” aloof affect, and inability to speak baffled the people around me. I felt like a caged animal. I was frustrated because I lacked the ability to explain my thoughts and feelings, and simultaneously oblivious to the fact that I was unable to communicate. You see, Autism can be lonely, especially early on. I was the only one who knew how hard it was to be autistic, because I lived it and felt that no one could understand me or my experience.
My hometown did not have the correct special education programs for autistic or other special needs children, so I was bussed out to other public schools in neighboring school districts, which presented its own challenges. Among the challenges that people who are on the spectrum deal with every day, there was a transition from a home and small-town environment to a new larger environment and school system.
Another thing that is difficult sometimes for people with special needs is that they are expected to acclimate, even in school, to common-place daily events like holiday celebrations, decorating the classrooms, and other activities. Yet as a person with this kind of challenge with no steps to help me transition, to me, this was torturous and painful. In addition, there is the horrific and painful reality of bullying. I was called names, called “retarded,” and subjected to physical violence, but my language abilities were not yet available to me, and I did not have the ability to tell my mom what was happening.
Soon I was developing my ability to speak, and as my physical ability grew, so did my desire to speak out to support rights for those who needed them. My confidence grew and I was fortunate to have the warmth and endless support of people who believed in me then and still believe in me now.
