Autism, Fashion and Jesus

I am blessed to have an incredible older brother.  Jamie who everyone remembers.  Jamie who has an infectious laugh.  Jamie who loves without judgement or reservation.  Jamie who forgives with the blink of an eye.  Jamie who is a computer genius.  And Jamie who is autistic.

Autism has always been a part of my life.  Especially when your only sibling is trapped by this disease.  I've read many books about siblings of autistic children, some I can relate to and others I can't.  Yes autism was a part of our lives, but it wasn't the center.  Perhaps that is a testament to the way my parents raised us.  Sure accommodations had to be made, but we appreciate our little family and the quirks Jamie has shared with us.  I can go on for hours with stories of when Jamie put nails in the thanksgiving pie because he thought it was too boring.  Or when he was given scotch tape for his birthday (thanks Aunt Cindy) and I was taped in my room.  Or when he pulled the fire alarm at the mall...the list goes on and on.  Point being, life was never boring.  And for everyone who knows me well, I hate monotony.

The most hurtful thing about autism is the lack of understanding by others.  People can be so cruel.  I don't believe Jamie was bullied as harshly as other kids are, but he had his fair share of comments and stares by those who don't get it.  Sometimes autism is a blessing in that most of the things people said I don't believe he knew, understood or cared that they were mean.  But we did.  I knew when people were intentionally being mean to my brother who couldn't help his idiosyncrasies and wouldn't hurt a fly.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the New Horizons Fashion show benefit.  New Horizons is the agency Jamie is a part of that provides his housing and social resources.  It is such an incredible event, but never has it touched me like last night.  It takes place at the Poughkeepsie Grand, with 250 people in attendance all there to support and raise money for people with developmental and physical disabilities.  Both people with and without disabilities participate in the fashion show.  Let me tell you, it is such an amazing spectacle to see women who have struggled with acceptance and mental constraints walk across that runway with hundreds of people cheering them on.  I was so moved by the support last night for this community.  Even though Jamie wasn't there, he is part of an agency where people accept him for who he is.  What a beautiful thing.  Finally.

I can't help but compare this community to Christianity.  I don't know how many people in that room were believers, but isn't this how we all felt when we first found Christ?  Breathing became a little easier.  Finally someone who accepted us for all our faults and idiosyncrasies.  A community that supports us, carries and encourages us.  When the rest of the world pushes our button, Jesus just welcomes us home.

Moving to the DR may be the hardest on my relationship with Jamie.  He hates the phone.  Talking with him face to face is hard enough, let alone on a computer, skype, phone or through mail.  I know we will try but it just won't be like being here.  I will really miss him.  And I doubt he will ever be able to visit.  That would be pushing his disabilities too far.  I'm not sure what I would even feed him!  Haha.  Perhaps I will find chicken nuggets somewhere.

Just one of the many people I will miss having regular contact with.  So, even though at 27 I don't want to be living back home, I find myself thankful for the time I have with my family.  And my Jamie.