3
A p r i l 2 0 1 8
Happy
Easter!
Dear Readers – Since April is Autism Awareness Month, I'm ceding my column
space to run a beautiful letter written by a Hunterdon Prep School student
with Autism. According to AutismSpeaks.org, "Autism, or autism spectrum
disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social
skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as
by unique strengths and differences." I hope you'll appreciate this letter as
we have. Thank you HPS for sharing it with us.
"Dear Autism,
Hey, it's me. The one you chose to make unique. I wanted you to know that
you are a blessing and a curse. You make my life unique, all right. Thanks to your
magic, I have trouble making friends and keeping them. I have trouble reading
facial expressions and body language, thanks to you. We didn't know you and
I shared a brain till I was eleven years old. For a long time, you spilled under
the radar of teachers, doctors, and my parents. They thought you would just go
away. Boy, were they wrong. Because you were untreated, you grew stronger.
You were starting to control me around age six. I was sweet and adorable one
minute, the next a screaming and crying mess. I was screaming because you
won't let me use my mouth to tell them what I needed. But here's something you
need to know, I grew stronger because of you.
I learned to channel you, like seven years later, into art. You and I became
best friends. I'm getting ahead of myself. In first grade would be the last time we
sat in a mainstream classroom. You laughed at my meltdowns. You laughed at
my pain. You smiled. I still remember the day we got our first one-on-one aide.
I was so angry that you continued to laugh. I can't remember her if it killed me.
Jewelry | Gifts | Womens & Infants Clothing
Cottage Furnishings & Accessories
Personal Care Products | Vintage Treasures
Baby Accessories & Gifts
Carol
Beder's
– Julie Fl�nn
You're not alone when you list with me.
I'm with you 24/7.
And I live in
Clinton Township!
www.VickiTuschak.com • vtuschak@yahoo.com
office: 908.735.8080 • cell: 908.334.2164
This Is
Our Clinton
Township!
Vicki Tuschak
S a le s As s o c i ate
THINK SPRING
Call Me!
... continued on page 5
PATRIOTIC
CONCERT
SATURDAY, MAY 19
TH
2:00 P.M.
NORTH HUNTERDON HS
1445 RT. 31 SOUTH, ANNANDALE
FOR TICKETS VISIT
WWW.VETERANCONCERT.ORG
illustration by Victor Juhasz
FOR SPONSORSHIP
SEE REVERSE SIDE
SUPPORTED BY
ROTARY CLUB OF NORTH HUNTERDON
HONORING MILITARY VETERANS
HOSTED BY JOE PISCOPO
PROFESSIONAL & LOCAL TALENT
TICKETS: $40
