What Documentary Has Changed Your Life?
Autism the Musical was amazing in giving me a new outlook about autism. I don't have children, but my sister has an autistic son. She and I are very close, but we've never been able to talk openly about her feelings about her son. I see her struggling to pave the way to his having a full and good life, but I haven't been able to share my thoughts with her and support her on an emotional level. After I saw this film, that changed, and my way of relating to my autistic nephew changed.
What did you do differently as a result of seeing it?
I brought my sister to see the film, and we were both very moved by sharing that experience. We were crying, and it was such a relief for both of us that we could express our feelings. We are able to continue this openness as we go forward, and it has really strengthened our relationship. I feel that she can now turn to me for help when she feels she needs it, and I know much more how I can support her. I also learned more about my nephew's abilities and how to reach out to him. The whole family is just on another and better plane of communication and support.
Lessons Learned
- I learned more about autism, and how important it is to build a community of supporters among family and other families who have autistic children. That can make such a big difference.
- I learned how to express my thoughts more directly and to overcome my fears about sharing my emotional responses.
- I learned that autism and other situations that can seem limiting can actually be inspiring if you look at them differently and with an open and creative attitude.
