Autism Lives Here: Distinguished Alumni Award

Autism Lives Here: A Sunday ritual.

Pictures that give a glimpse into our life with autism.  Pictures that may show how distinctly different our lives are from yours because of autism.  Or pictures that may show how similar our lives are regardless of autism.

Today’s pictures:

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How can I have an “Autism Lives Here” moment without a single picture of Brian?  Yesterday I stood on the stage at Kennebec Valley Community College’s commencement ceremony to receive their Distinguished Alumni Award.  Such an honor.  I was nominated because of my work as an advocate for the autism community.  It’s amazing to be honored for something that you have so much love and passion for.

Without autism in my life, I would’ve never traveled this road.  I wouldn’t have the drive and the insanity to jump on every advocacy bandwagon I can.   Loving someone with autism with every ounce of my being is my driving force. Autism has certainly made me a different person, a person that I am very proud to be.  When I struck out as a single Mom at the age of 23 with two children who had varying needs of special services I never thought that someday I would be shaking hands with a Senator, speaking to a full house at the Augusta Civic Center, and winning such an award.

Even so, I would give it all up for my son to not have autism.  For life to be easier for him.  For a life where he had no roadblocks, where he could speak, where he didn’t feel the need to injure himself, and where he could make friends.  I would give it all up in a heartbeat.

Heather Nelson

About Heather Nelson

Heather resides in Rockland where she is busy juggling life as a newlywed, a mom to two boys (one of which who has autism), a part time job in direct sales, and a full-time job as a pediatric occupational therapy assistant. She has a love for live music, karaoke, and cheering on the underdogs.