April: Autism Month

Testimony of a volunteer, mother of an autistic child.

In 2018, being autistic is not easy. In the school or health networks, we have a narrow vision of autism.

Being autistic is a condition, it is not the definition of the human being who has it.

My boy does not fit into the narrow definition of what government agencies offer. We have small square molds well thought out by senior civil servants that work for 50% of young people who fit into that mold. But my boy is unique, he has his own identity and in the end he is also autistic. He is not capable of being a small square mold. He has, in addition, experienced a horrible event that has turned his entire life upside down.

He left school and organizations that only wanted to put him in a mold. He didn’t know how to communicate and didn’t feel understood.

So I guided my eldest and the idea of volunteering at Proanima came to me. He loved the place because he had seen it on TV. It took 1 year of waiting to be part of the team.

He started volunteering here at Proanima in November 2017. I saw sparks in his eyes. My son, who had been extinguished by hard blows in life, was regaining oxygen and motivation. So proud to have signed his volunteer contract. So proud to come to work. He knows that thanks to him, the little exotics are out and loved. Thanks to him, he makes a difference. He sees the evolution of some very fearful animals at first who, with time, work and love, end up becoming tamed.

It is important to make room for these young adults. I hope that we make room for them.

Of course, being his mother, I had to stop working because I want to take him further, I work with him, I volunteer with him to help him gain confidence. He has so much to offer. I hope one day to be able to return to work and that my son can also contribute to the community.

Thank you to Proanima for allowing him to feel like a citizen, a human. You are making a difference in the life of a young man.

Happy Autism Month, remember we are all unique humans!

Martine Renaud

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