With special thanks to Hannah Clarke, 4th Year Aran
I wish people in my community would always remember that they’re as equal, as resilient, as talented, as creative, as big and bold, as cool, as intelligent, as adventurous and as beautiful as any other person.
On 2nd of April each year, people across the world celebrate their friends and family members who are autistic. This day is a celebration of their achievements, their bright personalities and their lives.
This day is so important to so many people living with autism. It’s uplifting and so impactful that they get their chance to be visible in a neurotypical world. For too long, autistic people were pushed aside, labelled “bold”, “weird” or “unfixable”. This is not the world I want to live in, and in today’s world I hope that people with autism can live without “needing to be fixed”, because they are perfect in every way.
Now a short interview with my good friend, Hannah, about what autism means to her:
Me: What does World Autism Awareness Day mean to you?
Hannah: World Autism Day to me means a celebration of pride, happiness, acceptance, warmth, heartfelt love and compassion. I think accepting Autistic / unique people into our society allows them to find themselves, especially on their own celebrative day. This day is so important, and when it’s understood extremely, incredibly and amazingly well it can become fantastic, marvellous, wonderful and truly inspirationally remarkable and definitely impactful to people like me.
Me: How do you feel on World Autism Awareness Day?
Hannah: An aspect of me feels extremely fortunate, privileged, blessed, prideful and grateful be able to accept myself. In certain perspectives I am concerned, apprehensive, & fearful about the how people may look and treat us differently. I want to feel happy and I wish every Autistic person could be seen. The world deserves to see the best of their abilities and how amazing their determination, passion, resilience, hard work, talent, intelligence and creativity are.
Me: What is your message on World Autism Day?
Hannah: I wish people in my community would always remember that they’re as equal, as resilient, as talented, as creative, as big and bold, as cool, as intelligent, as adventurous and as beautiful as any other person.
I think we can all agree that Hannah’s message is a simple but powerful one and that it reminds us to value and honour autistic members of our community for all that they are, not just on World Autism Awareness Day, but every day.