Developmentally Brothers by Conner

Developmentally Brothers by Conner - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

Every day in the halls we see them. Some, make fun of them. Others, they pity them. I see hope and a bright future. Autism is a growing developmental disability in America, but it is not a problem. Many believe that these children and people are not fit to live in with normal society, they think that they won't even be able to. However, I think differently.
Over the summer of sophomore year I volunteered to be a caretaker for two low-functioning autistic boys named Andy and Coit. Coit can not talk, not even a little bit, he communicated by pointing to pictures of things that he wanted called 'pecs' and I would go and get it for him. Coit also was 100 lbs for a 7 year old, so if he got mad we would all be in for it. Andy however was higher functioning than his twin counterpart, he could talk but he could only repeat words that he heard you say. This condition is called 'echolalia' and is common in autistic boys. Most people would pass this off as a job to work with two annoying, loud, even calling them "retarded" little boys, however, I knew that I could make a difference in these boys lives. I knew that they were probably being made fun of at school, and I wanted to be something positive in the boy's lives.
I did everything for these boys because they were not able to do things themselves. I fed them, I bathed them, played with them, and I even cleaned up their 'oops' accidents. Over the course of that summer the dynamic of the boys and I changed, no longer was I just their caretaker, but I became their brother. They became family to me.
Special needs children aren't so different from us. Yeah, they might be a little louder or a little quirky, but they aren't that different. Life is just harder for them, which makes them stronger. Over the course of this time that I have spent with the two boys, I learned many things. I know it sounds cliche but you can never judge a book by it's cover. Those two boys were the most lovable, amazing children you would ever meet in your life. Secondly, it taught me to help anyone in my community whenever they need it, no matter how big or small. And finally, it really changed my perspective of life in ways that will help me better my current and future communities forever. No longer will I look at others who look different than me with distaste, for they are just like us all, and I will stand up for those unable to stand up for themselves and I will make my community a place where everyone is comfortable to be who they are.