Living With Purpose

A Reader writes:

Hi Philip,

I am writing to you because today I was just with my 11 year old grandson who was visibly so upset and then everything came out: he has no friends, crying because he hates school and already worried about the next year when he just go out. He makes statements like he doesn't know why he is alive and then when he gets upset is mad at himself for getting upset then says he doesn't like himself. I am heart broken and wondering if you ever have these feelings. I'm so upset as I write you I am in tears.  My heart aches for him and I always just try and listen.  Please if you could write me back and let me know how you feel at times.  Thank you.

To ___,

I have had feelings like your grandson too. You are a good grandmother to write for advice. He should know he is loved no matter how he feels. I have made peace with my autism by living with purpose. Day to day I teach people about autism in my writing. Your grandson can find his mission too. God makes a plan for every person. He saves our lives to be used for good. Can he make his interests become his mission? I make use of my autism. That is why I am happy as I am.

Love,

Philip

A Letter to Philip

Guest Blog by Ryan

From Ryan's Mom:

Ryan and I feel so fortunate to be able to guest blog again on Faith, Hope, and Love…With Autism.  Lisa has been a mentor to me and Philip has been a mentor to Ryan.  We have corresponded with them over the two years since we began RPM.  Lisa was kind enough to share her experiences with me as a new parent starting out with RPM.  She was very encouraging and very selfless in offering assistance and guidance along our journey.  I am honored to call her my friend.

Ryan wanted to write a letter to Philip for his guest post this year.  The letter follows below.

DEAR PHILIP,

I AM WRITING TO THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME TO START MY OWN BLOG.  HAPPY TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS. 

BECAUSE OF HEARING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BIKE CAMP, REALLY EXCITED TO DO IT MYSELF THIS SUMMER. 

LEARNING TOO MUCH FROM YOUR EXPERIENCES.  PLEASING TO ME THAT YOU GOT TO BE ON TV AND IN THE NEWSPAPER.

                                                            YOUR FRIEND,

                                                                        RYAN

Ryan is nonverbal but has been learning grade-level and above-grade-level academics for more than two years now. Ryan learns by Rapid Prompting Method (RPM), which has also enabled him to learn to communicate his thoughts using a letter board. He loves his family, reading, baseball and his country. He also loves the Harry Potter and the Percy Jackson book series and is interested in learning more about history. Ryan and his mom write a blog at iaminmyhead.com.

Letter to Those People Who Don’t Believe in Me

Guest Post by Charlie

Charlie is 10-years old. He is autistic and non-speaking. He is an RPMer and now types to communicate. He loves music, skiing, swimming, dinosaurs, space, books, the beach, taking walks and jumping on the trampoline. He is fiercely smart.  Charlie and his mom have a blog called Listentothemustnts.

LITTER (letter) TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON’T BELIEVE IN ME.

DEAR NT PEOPLE

NO YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO HAVE AUTISM BUT LIMBER YOUR MINDS A LITTLE BETTER. MAYBE YOU HAVE KINDNESS IN YOUR HEARTS, BUT YOU ARE VERY SADISTIC IN YOUR BELIEF THAT PEOPLE WITH AUTISM HAVE NO BRAINS. WE FIGHT OUR BODIES ALL THE TIME. WON’T YOU STOP MAKING US HAVE TO KEEP WORKING TO PROVE OURSELVES TO YOU? I’M REALLY SMART UNDER THE SURFACE. LISTEN TO OUR WORDS. HERE (hear) WHAT WE ARE SAYING. I’M YOU TRAPPED IN A BODY THAT DOESN’T WORK, YOU’RE ME IN A WORKING BODY. DON’T YOU WISH WORLDS LIKE OURS COULD GET ALONG?

CHARLIE

Dear Friend

A Letter to Philip:

Hi Philip, 

When I read your last post "I belong" I wish so much there was a way you could tell my son, who is about to turn six, to hang in there. We've just started RPM and it's really hard for him, as ultimately I KNOW he wants to talk, emotionally he is very angry, even though we see him spelling and having great success with RPM. We have him working more on literacy lessons with the RPM, but he has really no means for functional communication. He refuses to use his ipad app, or picture cards, or even his more gestural ways of communicating recently to tell us what he wants for the day to day. Instead, he's hitting, throwing things, trying to bite us, headbutting...I wonder if you have any advice for us and him. We feel as though we're finally on the right path but it's so hard to support him when he's so angry and clearly suffering. Thank you for any advice!

Warmly,

Joni

Dear Friend,

I know how you feel. I was in your place before. I am telling you to never give up. I am still healing from my wounds. Pain from being talked about negatively and being treated like a pet to train still aches. I want you to know that you can make a difference in your life. Try to be forgiving to people who have hurt you. Learn as much as you can. Practice communicating through rpm daily.

Peace to my soul was being able to express my wants, needs, and ideas. When people finally listened, bad feelings began to soften and go away. It didn’t happen all at once. It took a long time to get good at ordering my thoughts. I still need time away for making my thoughts organized. I am peaceful now that I am communicating well.

At school I am treated as smart and capable. My teachers compliment me. Each day I love my day at school. I have courage now to meet more challenges. I encourage you to work hard to make regular education possible. I think education steers autistics in the direction we need to go to make our lives more happy and meaningful.

Peace,

Philip

Copyright 2016 Philip Reyes.  All rights reserved.