‘The light goes both ways’: reflections on autism

I met Xixi in Grade 5 during a school trip to a local autism center in Beijing. As a primary student, my understanding of society was simply divided into “normal” people who behaved similarly to me and “abnormal” people who acted differently. In my younger self, I categorized autism as something abstract and different. The connection between me and this minority was distanced as if there was a hidden barrier, leaving me feeling uncertain and curious.

 

Xixi completely shifted my understanding of autism through her positive smiles and energetic gestures. I discovered that the energy of fully participating in life is not defined by the perspective we come from. It was a lack of awareness that had led to my misconception of this community, so I decided to take the initiative to close the knowledge gap, even if it only impacted a small group of people. Given the opportunity provided at Shawnigan, I decided to begin my process through my Soul Seeking project. I painted ordinary objects using splendid colors to symbolize the inner world of Xixi, and encouraged students to write a phrase that inspired them in their mother tongue on the other half of the canvas. In the middle, Xixi’s figure touched the border of her bubble and connected to the positive comments from the outer world. As I presented my project during the Soul Seeking fair, many people came up to me and expressed their sense of gratitude and talked about their relationships with someone who is autistic. I was also able to donate $500 to the local Clements Centre as a way to show support. The impact it made on my community made me decide to continue the project and eventually spread awareness among more people beyond our school.

 

This year as my capstone project, I created a website containing my interview with the Clements Centre staff, a friend who has an autistic brother, and the founder of Stars’ Hope autism school. Through my interactions with them, I have come to realize that taking the initiative to care and be respectful doesn’t require a lot of effort; however, the impact it can have on each individual can be felt wholeheartedly. These conversations not only deepened my understanding but also fueled my determination to advocate for inclusivity. As I transition into my post-secondary education, I eagerly hope to continue this passion project and contribute to the creation of an even more inclusive environment for people of all diverse abilities.

 

Throughout the entire process, the most touching moment to me was when a teacher came up to me and told me how special it was to her since her brother is autistic. Just like the name of my project, “A Hint of Light Diverse Abilities,” I believe that the light goes both ways. While Xixi inspired me with her unwavering hope for life, I also expressed my gratitude towards her through my initiative. This experience reinforced my belief that even the smallest actions can create light and transform our understanding of the world.