I am a
32 year old, autistic man. I am high functioning, so at first you might not
even notice. I have seen a lot of abuse, and hurt during my life. It has both been
done to me, and to those around me who are like me in their own way. I have
been a victim of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse although thankfully I
can only remember shattered parts of my past. I would like to think it is a
well honed survival instinct and not a byproduct of the abuse.
Yes, I
had a rough childhood. I survived it however, and came through it as the same
gentle and loving person I am today. That is in large part to all the extra
help, therapy, and assistance I received as a ward of the state. Without that
little extra life experience my story would have a very different ending than
it does.
At 32,
I am happily married. I have two beautiful son's that I love very much. I have
my own home, my own car, and most importantly I have a future. The same can't
be said for a lot of those coming up behind me. I listen to their stories and I
see mine reflected back at me. I am able to empathize with their pain because
it was my pain as well. They didn't learn the same lessons I did at the hands
of the staff in multiple facilities across Kentucky. They were sheltered by
over protective parents who can never imagine them being full adults. They were
ignored by uncaring parents who saw defect and wrote them off. They did not
have the chance that I did. They haven't gotten to see the world as I have yet.
I
started my nonprofit as a way to help those who are different like I am to
learn job skills, gain confidence, and to hopefully take control of their own
life. The deeper into what needs to be addressed I go, the more there is left
for me to do. Right now, my program is being designed as a virtual solution to
emotional, social and vocational skills training. My board, has me working on a
life skills module as well. Just basic everyday care for yourself so that you
don't put those around you off.
I am
beginning to see that this is not going to be enough. I can train, educate, and
inform all I like but the reality is that once training ends and real life
begins than my people are left with the same deficits as they had before, with
only the added ability to be successful in the work place. I will be taking
sheltered people and throwing them to the wolves in my attempt to help them.
This cannot stand.
I have
two brief stories, outside of my own that I wish to share.
1) An amazing 29 year old high functioning autistic, living
in a small town and still living in her parents' house is being paired up with
her stepfather's best friend's son. She
isn't against the idea, even though she really hasn't had the chance to meet
anyone else. In her mind, it's a good way to help her parents feel secure that
she will be taken care of when they are gone. She claims to love the guy, but
in reality with no exposure to the outside world than anything new would be
seen as special. She isn't truly being given a choice. At least she wasn't
until I invited her to Billings to be a part of our program.
2) A new acquaintance, this next woman is in a bit more of a
precarious situation. She is both autistic, non verbal, and has turner's
syndrome. Basically she is an adult trapped in a 12 year old child's body with
all the innocence of an autistic. The court awarded her guardianship to her
boyfriend, a much older man who she only calls by his nickname. He is intimate
with her, and while that might be acceptable as her guardian it is a conflict
of interest. What makes this worse is that they share their living space with
up to three other people with different disabilities and that sex is seen as
acceptable and interchangeable with all parties in the home. As her guardian,
and her boyfriend this man should be helping to guide her, demonstrating his
love for her by showing her the right way to handle those feelings and those
social issues, instead he takes advantage of not only her, but the others
living under his roof.
The
argument could be made that since all of them are disabled than at least they
are all equal in making an adult decision. My argument to you would be, at what
point did someone teach them the rules of what is proper behavior and at what
point did we as a community stop caring enough to follow up.
I am
proposing that we as a community pull together to create a first of its kind
independent living community. I would like to see a community developed where
people with disabilities are given the option to live in a normal house
alongside others who understand their special needs and don't mind going above
and beyond to look out for their best interests. If it takes a village to raise
a child, than it takes an entire community to raise an autistic.
I was
luckier than most. I am extremely verbal. Eloquent. You understand me, when I
feel it is important that you do so. I can't be quiet about something that I
personally feel is so devastating to the future of people who could easily be
what I ended up as. Lost, confused, naive, and hurt by those they trust to take
care of them.
I will
be approaching local contractors and real estate developers to help me design
and plan a location for this community but I am asking each and every person
who reads this article and is interested in helping me to make a difference to
send me your ideas, questions and concerns. I want your feedback, your time and
yes your money would be nice as well.
I am
Marcus Shane Morris. I am the founder of Guardian Spirit, a pending 501c3 Non
Profit here in Billings, Mt. and I am asking you to stand by me and help me
truly defend those who need it as I help them learn to stand on their own two
feet and take charge of their lives. We can't wait for someone else to do what
we know is the morally right thing to do. It is our charge and our duty to care
for each other, that is what it means to be human.
You can
reach me at the following:
www.guardianspirit.info
I am happy to supply our information as a company to anyone
who requests it, and in some cases even if you don't
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