Red Aloud Silent e

"Being unable to speak offers up different perspective, I enjoy thinking of unique themes, enticing the right balance necessary to keep the reader embracing my words." -Austin McClendon

Red Aloud Silent e

By Austin McClendon

King vowel sounding block

Found red, lips locked

Born a short e

Growing an r and d

Now sitting silent e

Locked up without a key one lonely day.

Breaking loose was of a snap.

I'll say.

About the time he was two, really true, his color then completely blue. Some often looked at e, reflecting on so arrogantly, why can't you ever speak?

It possibly if really free, places impossible, possibilities, whether meaning to or not, glowing in a tot.

He couldn't ask, although finely tracked, many taking on his task. You got me going with math, any help sweet young lass?

The young lass,

just done with class,

in nice new red running shoes,

wasn't sure what to do.

Often coming in under, wanting more or true hunger, owing honor or deep in wonder, keeping dignity not asunder.

Oh, how he longed to be free.

Quite a while going along, each that he saw, sang the same song,

all

day

long.

He didn't seem to realize right away

what he'd learned on that lonely day.

Then the swollen fear, growing inside, broke out his tears.

Upset he cried,

why oh why did this happen to me?

As easy as can be, faster than one to free, four little sighs released.

The vowel king, was innovative, in his son was fascinated, for he was born a short e, bright cute and real fun e.

Knowing inevitably,

as red learned to speak,

when willing to just reach,

by tapping on the keys

the gift opened up and loosed his defeat.

The vowel king merry man

heard e's pleas

and had a plan.

Just look inside and there is where e found his key.

Red or blue I still love you

and I still see your e.

Now you understand that e's speech is read.

Thank you for hearing me never make a sound.

Sincerely,

Silent e

Austin McClendon is 16 years old and lives in Burleson, Texas. He has autism, and is visually impaired and nonverbal. He is homeschooled by his mom.  He communicates through the use of a letterboard and a keyboard with proloquo. He began RPM in 2011 but did not continue; he has recently resumed to help his keyboard skills. He has excellent receptive language and is a gifted writer with a unique style.  You can read more of Austin's writings on his blog at www.silentesvoice.com.

Understatement

This month we will feature writings from Guest Bloggers who are nonspeakers, unreliable speakers, or communication supporters of people who communicate through typing and spelling on letterboards.  It is exciting to see more and more people finding their voice each year through alternative methods of communication.  4 years ago, I had never heard of RPM or of nonspeaking people using effective communication.  Since we discovered RPM for Philip, we have seen and supported other families on a similar path.  Those families in turn have supported others and brought new families into the fold so that there has been an exponential growth in the number of people being freed from silence into the world where they can participate as one with a voice.  It is truly an exciting time to see a shift in our understanding of autism and how we can better support and empower the Autistic people we love.  Now I would like to introduce our first Guest Blogger, Katerina!  -Lisa 

Autism is a found treasure. If you do not examine your treasure carefully you will never see the gem you have.   My name is Katerina and I am nonspeaking. For years I was an undiscovered treasure hidden away.  RPM discovered and polished me off. It made me the shiny gem I am today. It is my passion to advocate for those gems with autism that have not been discovered yet. Please enjoy my poem, I call it “Understatement”.

                    

   Understatement

To say I am determined is an understatement
Since I was a baby I was driven by determination
To say I am ambitious is an understatement
Since I was a toddler I was troubled by ambition
To say I am strong is an understatement
Since I was a child I had the strength of the strongest men
To say I don't deserve respect because I am nonspeaking

is not something someone as determined as I will ever accept
To say I will not achieve acceptance by a world that perceives kids like me as weird

is something someone as ambitious as I will not ever accept
To say I am not smart because I learn in a different way

is something someone as strong as I will never accept
To say someone with a disability is too weird or stupid to be treated like a human being

is something I will not ever accept
Since I am now a confident tween whose voice has been unlocked through RPM

a powerful weapon has been unleashed
To say I will advocate for my fellow brothers and sisters is an understatement

Katerina Gogal

Age 11

Easter Goes Through Good Friday

By Philip

Two days ago was Good Friday. I liked my pastor’s sermon. Each day we make God pleased and sad. We please God by our faith. We make God sad by our sin. Jesus had to suffer a terrible and humiliating death as an atonement for the sins of the world. He made a way for us to be reconciled to God. Let’s not forget that Easter goes through Good Friday. Let’s not take for granted that our new lives come from Jesus’ death. I am learning that I am loved more than I can comprehend. I am so loved.

I am trying to learn how suffering is part of God’s plan. Why must it happen? Jesus suffered a lot for us. When he died he became sin and died to God. God poured out his wrath on Jesus because he bore the sins of the world. People who look to Jesus’ sacrifice will be forgiven. I can learn to identify with Jesus by learning to be patient in my suffering. I am peaceful knowing that the Resurrection comes only after suffering. I know God so loves me. My life He resurrects to make his power known and attach us to Him eternally. I am peaceful practicing my calling in autism ministry. My suffering is not for nothing. It is being used for a greater purpose. Meaningful ministry has come because of my suffering. My autism is a mixed blessing. There are many things I cannot do. But there are things I can do because of my autism. May you see the blessings in your life that come from suffering. Happy Easter! Our Lord lives!

Our Lord Lives!

*Special dedication to KK who is getting baptized today.  KK, your life and testimony bring glory to our Lord and Savior.  God bless you! 

Zootopia Review

By Philip

Zootopia is one of the best movies I have seen. It was funny, had an excellent plot and message, and characters you could sympathize with. I loved the friendship of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, animals from opposite sides of the predator-prey world in Zootopia. The world in Zootopia is a lot like ours. The different species are a lot like our different cultures and races. We often make up distinctive markers in our world too. Neurotypical and neurodiverse. Immigrant and native. Woman and man. While it is good to acknowledge our differences, it is bad to judge people based on those differences. I liked how Zootopia addressed prejudice from both majority and minority’s points of view. We are all the same in living in a less than perfect world where we often are underestimated, bullied, or typecast. We need to peacefully live together, accepting our differences, and getting to know one another as people rather than our distinctions.

At the theater with Lia, Carlos, and my Grams

Copyright 2016 Philip Reyes.  All rights reserved.

Being on the News

I am very glad Kaylie and I put our story on the news. I dared myself to make a leap into the media. I am putting myself out there to make as many people as I can aware of my communication method and how it saved me from a life of misery. Communication is meaningful language to express my true thoughts and feelings. Good communication sets me free to accomplish my goals. Kaylie and I are not looking for personal fame. We are looking to accomplish the goal of now opening opportunities for all autistic people. Please make my story known.

Link to WGRZ Channel 2 story:  Rapid Prompting Method Helps People with Autism Communicate