A Hero’s Climb
Christopher Reeve said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” I would like to introduce my hero by sharing her words with you. Here is the speech that my daughter wrote & gave at last year’s Georgia Walk for Autism.
Hi everybody & welcome to The Georgia Walk for Autism. My name is Yael Greene. I am 10 years old and I have Autism. This is my second year participating in the walk. I am very excited & proud to be walking with my team, “The YaYa’s” and AMIT Atlanta.
One of my favorite singers is Miley Cyrus and one of my favorite songs, by Miley, is called “The Climb.” The words say:
There’s always gonna to be another mountain
I’m always gonna want to make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna to have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
For kids like me, and for many of you, living with Autism means that there are many mountains that we have to climb. Sometimes it isn’t easy. In fact, it can be very hard. We need a lot of help with things like: learning in school and trying to learn about appropriate behavior. Some of us may not be able to speak, and share our thoughts & feelings. Sometimes, other kids & even grown ups might find our behaviors strange & they may tease us. We need help making friends, who will love us & accept us just the way we are.
I was three years old, when I was diagnosed with Autism. At first, my parents were very scared, and very worried. But, they knew that they had a job. Their job was to help me climb the many mountains that were in front of me. Just like all of you, they have tried to give me all the tools I need, with the right teachers, therapists, doctors & schools. With all of these helpers, and with the love and support of my family and friends, I have been able to take many steps up the mountain, and I am going to keep on climbing until I reach the top. It may take me awhile to get there, and I may have to take it slower than other kids-but I won’t give up and neither should you. Having Autism may make the climb harder-but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try. Like Miley says, “keep on moving, keep climbing & keep the faith.”
And that is why Yael is my hero. We continue to walk for her and for all of the heroes living with autism. It is with great courage, dignity & tenacity that they continue to persevere & endure each and every day. You can help make the climb easier. Donate to http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/georgia/greene
Because if there is one thing that our heroes teach us it is that, ”So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” (Christopher Reeve)
Yael, and her mom and dad, are heroes to me. I look up to you all so much. Love, JANEL
Thanks for this blog. Your journey has been so similar to my own. I loved Yael’s speech last year and wish I could walk again this year. Looking forward to more, and so glad to have someone blaze the path ahead of me.
[...] and TEAM AMIT in the Georgia Walk Now for Autism Speaks. On her blog, her mom shared the inspiring speech that Yael, who has autism, gave at last year’s [...]