Guest Blog by Christopher Finnes

Christopher and his "Nan"

Today's post was written by 16 year old Christopher Finnes from the UK.  He and his mother Sue have been of great support to Philip and me personally.  Many in the RPM Community know them by their work through the Facebook group Unlocking Voices- Using RPM and the Unlocking Voices Community Interest Company in the UK, both started by Sue to provide practical help for parents wanting to help their children implement RPM to learn and communicate. 

ATTUNE TO ME
by Christopher Finnes

PLAY WITH ME AND YOU WILL SEE,
THE BOY THAT IS INSIDE OF ME.
HE IS SMART, HE IS CLEVER,
HE TRIES TO KEEP IT TOGETHER.
ATTUNE TO ME AND YOU WILL SEE,
THE PERSON THAT IS INSIDE OF ME.
HE IS TRUSTWORTHY AND KIND,
WITH NOT A BAD MIND,
HE IS OFTEN THOUGHT OF AS DUMB,
BUT HE DOESN’T GET GLUM.
ATTUNE TO ME AND YOU WILL SEE,
THE INTELLIGENCE INSIDE OF ME.
HE IS HELPFUL, HE IS RESPECTFUL,
HE REALLY IS WONDERFUL.
ATTUNE TO ME AND THAT IS THE KEY,
IN UNDERSTANDING THE AUTISM IS DIFFERENT TO ME.
YOU WILL SEE THE MAN I AM TRYING TO BE,
IF YOU TAKE YOUR TIME WITH ME.
ATTUNE TO ME TO FIND THE REAL ME.


A TRIBUTE TO MY NAN (Read at her funeral April 2015)

MY NAN WAS THE KINDEST PERSON YOU COULD EVER MEET

SHE WOULD ALWAYS BRING A SMILE TO PEOPLE’S FACES AND BRIGHTEN UP PEOPLE’S DAYS

YOU COULDN’T MEET A NICER PERSON WHO HAD SO MANY GIFTS TO SHARE WITH US ALL

ONE OF HER GIFTS WAS TELLING TERRIFIC STORIES

SHE WOULD TRY TO HELP ME EVEN THOUGH I CAN BE HARD WORK

SHE ALWAYS TRIED TO HELP AND IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME

I WILL MISS HER KIND SPIRIT SO MUCH BUT MOST OF ALL I WILL SMILE AT ALL THE MEMORIES AND SHE WILL LIVE ON IN MY HEART FOREVER

Christopher has been doing RPM since 2009.  He is improving every year and is currently working on increasing his independence through learning to hold his own letterboard as well as typing on a keyboard.  He enjoys running and horseback riding.  Chris had a very close relationship with his Grandma "Nan" who always loved and accepted him unconditionally.  RPM has allowed Chris to have many wonderful conversations with her and others.