Oh the people we've met

Through our journey with autism, we've connected with some fascinating and talented people. One of those people is Scott Letine. Over the last week I've had the pleasure of trading emails and corresponding via Facebook. We've had an interesting dialog and he has asked for space on my blog.  For that reason, I am turning my blog over to Scott today. 

Scott is 25 and hails from Billerica, Massachusetts. He is diagnosed with high-functioning autism (PDD-NOS/Aspergers) and is a graduate of Merrimack College. He is currently an office intern at the Arc of Massachusetts in Waltham where he works to persuade lawmakers to pass key disability resources legislation to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities. He is also a talented writer and has devoted his considerable talent toward providing insight into his hopes and dreams. 

What follows is a sampling of his poetry. Thank you for taking the time to read on. 

Just a Normal Day         

Never knowing what to say

Never knowing what to do

Always looking for clues

Just a normal day

Feeling unsure

Totally perplexed with everyday life

Always on edge never certain

I wish I could lift this curtain

Needing to constantly satisfy my need for information

Always online searching for new revelations

Going from site to site

Obtaining new insights every night

Trying to connect with people my age

Attempting to reveal my unique vision

But ending up alone and unengaged

Feeling like my needs a total revision

Just a normal day

Can’t You See

Can’t you see

I just want to have a friend

Can’t you see

I need the same connections in the end

Can’t you see

I want a good job

Can’t you see

I need to have stability and dependence and part of the general mob

Can’t you see

I want to be independent on my own

Can’t you see

I want to be able to have my own home

Can’t you see

I want the same things as everyone else

Can’t you see

I want to be appreciated for myself

The Ode to the Autistic Man

Try to understand the challenges that I face

I would like to be accepted as a human in all places

Where I will end up in life I don’t know

But I hope to be successful wherever I go

I would like to expand my social skills in life

Making new friends would be very nice

Stand proud for the autistic man

For he will find a new fan

I hope to overcome the odds I face today

Increased acceptance will lead me to a brighter day

By the age of 20, I will have made tremendous strides

I know in the future, life will continue to be an interesting ride

I have made new friends by the year

I will be given tremendous respect by my family and peers

I hope to get noted for bringing the issue of autism to the common man

So that autistic people can be accepted in this great land

Stand proud for the autistic man

For he will find a new fan

I hope to overcome the odds I face today

Increased acceptance will lead me to a brighter day

I am sure Scott would love to hear your feedback so please post here or on my Blending with Autism Facebook page. You can also contact scott directly via email at slentine2010@gmail.com