Thanks to Autism Speaks, thousands of landmarks (including the White House), businesses, houses of worship and communities in over 150 countries will Light It Up Blue in April to raise global awareness of Autism spectrum disorder.
29 Acres will proudly shine the light on individuals with autism every day for the month of April. We want to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder in our own community and we hope we do that by sharing their stories.
MEET WESTON
Weston White, Noah Webster the 5lb Chihuahua and "Aunt Jocie."
The young man in his Louisiana Tech general education graduation robes stood in line, awaiting his turn. He was rocking slightly on his feet, hands twitching and sometimes he shook them as if there was something sticky he needed to shake off. His name was called, along with the words "cum laude," and, as he took his diploma and shook hands with his Dean, Weston grinned from ear to ear. It was a rarity, that genuine infectious grin, and when he raised his diploma in triumph, his row of family cheered. And there were tears. Weston has pervasive development disorder, falling at the higher end of the Autism Spectrum. And there was a time, none of us thought this day, or even a facsimile of it, would ever come. I am his Aunt, otherwise known for years as "My Jocie" whenever Weston introduced me. Weston's graduation, and with Honors no less, was nothing short of a miracle.
Weston was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two, when a bright, happy, funny little boy became sullen, unhappy and prone to endless screaming tantrums overnight. In the ensuing years, he battled a gran mal seizure, major motor skill difficulties, a high IQ
and slow social skill development. Weston always wanted friends and, unless they were several years younger than him, he couldn't seem to identify with his peers. Public school (where he was mainstreamed) proved to be a challenge at recess and afterward where he became the target of bullying; in the classroom he excelled with straight A's and a love of reading and American History. He even got his driver's license.
Weston was offered a full-time job on his graduation day--a local realtor hired Weston to take photos of listed properties and download them into the computer. He also was given the task of inputting mortgage info etc. Weston knows Mr. Tony from church. Grateful for the employment, Weston has plans to go back to school, however, to get a Masters and, perhaps, a Doctorate in American History. He wants to teach it in college.
But will he be able to live a "normal" life? Probably not. And what happens when all of the adults in his life are gone? Weston tends to sometimes live in his own world; he will perhaps always need someone to bring him back "into the moment". What's the solution? Someplace like 29 Acres holds the answer.
Weston deserves-and has earned- the right to live a productive life, making contributions to his community. So have the thousands of others like him.
He has an optimistic attitude toward life and Autism. As he likes to say, "Aunt Jocie, everyone falls on the Spectrum somewhere." I believe he may be right.
In honor of the thousands of individuals living with autism in our Texas communities who are in need of quality housing and ongoing support, please consider supporting this project.
You can donate at http://www.29acres.org/donate
You can donate at http://www.29acres.org/donate
The 29 Acres mission is to elevate the quality of life for adults across the autism spectrum by creating a dynamic housing community enriched with customized programming and support where every person will be empowered to live with purpose and joy.
