Defeating autism - by Monica

View original story at ABC News.

My boyfriend Dan works at a group home with young adults in their mid-twenties who have autism. None of the guys in the home can talk; their language consists of grunts and hand motions. But, although Dan is younger than the guys he takes care of, he looks at them and talks about them as if they were his children. I couldn't even imagine having autism, but Dan treats them like they were anyone else. And I can tell that, even though they can't speak, they know they are loved because of him.

So, when I heard about a man named Eric Duquette's story on ABC News, I knew I had to post it. I think it gives hope for those who have been diagnosed with autism and shows that support, like Dan gives the guys he works with, goes a long way. Duquette was diagnosed with autism at a young age and didn't learn how to speak until he was five years old. The only reason he learned to speak was because his parents spent about eight hours a day just focusing on ten words at a time with Duquette.

On Tuesday, June 15, Duquette graduated from Smithfield high school in Rhode Island.

That right there is a huge accomplishment in itself. But Duquette didn't stop there. He was valedictorian of his class! In a class of just under 200 students, he had the second highest grades of everyone.

In his speech, Duquette said, "My parents were told I would most likely end up in an institution. I stand before you accepted into every institution of higher learning I applied to."

Duquette will attend Rhode Island University in the fall.

If this story doesn't show you how far people can come, I don't know what will. You may have been dealt a bad hand. Duquette sure was! He was diagnosed with autism for goodness sakes, a disease where some of those diagnosed can't even speak. And, yet, he stood up, gave a speech and was second in his whole class.

Sometimes people may tell you that you can't do it. But that doesn't mean anything.


image source: lampworketc.com