On the weekend of September 23, 2011, a young woman ‘Jacynthe Geschke’ (from British Columbia, Canada) received the International Naturally Autistic® People Award™, a prestigious honor bestowed to her by the International Autistic Community. The selection committee of 8 from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the USA judged with standards from personal merit, in leadership, governance, management, broadcasting, software technology, film, production, education, the performing arts, visual and literary arts, music, radio, television, business and print media.
Jacynthe, at first glance appears to be a very quiet and perhaps, shy individual. When one gets further acquainted and actually disregards the label of autism, interacting with this young woman as an equal, a human being; a discovery of compassion, empathy, and a depth of understanding of human qualities are revealed through her personal viewpoints. Once considered non-verbal with classic autistic traits and behaviors, and dire reason for hope [according to her family], this young woman with community support has demonstrated that if we are all treated with dignity, understanding and respect we can all rise up and be participating members of society.
Since her recognition for ‘Community Achievement’, Jacynthe has met with politicians at the Federal, Provincial, Local and Municipal levels of Government; the Premier of British Columbia – Christy Clark, The regional Minister for British Columbia and the Minister for Heritage and Official Languages – James Moore, Randy Kamp MP, Nicholas Simons MLA and her local Mayor and Councilors. She recently presided over a community group gathering, in her town of Maple Ridge, speaking about her personal journey of transition to adulthood.
This young woman explained how she experiences both receptive and expressive language: ‘I hear the words and understand what is being said [receptive], but I find it difficult to get [my] words out [expressive]’. 'I do not see myself as disabled'. With support and understanding from her family, friends and community, Jacynthe has been given the opportunity to teach those in society who ‘process differently’ to her.
Through her work as a facilitator employed by a non-verbal young man in his twenties and her community volunteer work at the local retirement home and church, Jacynthe is visibly present, demonstrating to her local community and society at large that those who are not autistic and verbal have their own challenges!
Every month Jacynthe speaks to groups of people in her local and regional communities: parents, families with autism, professionals in the field, autistic people, politicians, the business sector and the general community at large. A giant leap for a once considered non-verbal indidivual. To learn more visit http://www.anturallyautistic.com or leave a comment below or join jacynthe’s fb page
Comments