Willie enriches my life! Some days though, I dread his needs, his demands, his stubbornness, his appetite, his compulsions, his make-pretend world, his limitations. But last night I was plain grateful that he offered me a very special gift. His school was hosting a presentation by Larry Bisonette,  an Artist with Autism as part of their Autism Symposium: Sensitive Systems. I would never have known about this unless Willie had Special Needs and happened to be lucky enough to go to The Camphill Special School.  It was one of those nights I won't ever forget.

The presentation was held in Rainbow Hall at The Camphill Special School. The name alone suggested the magic we were about to experience. Larry sat in the front of the room, with another man, behind a rectangular black table. A small computer in front of Larry, a larger MAC in front of the other man. The room filled up with lots of people, some with disabilities. Larry watched us, stimming with his right pointer finger, making high-pitched guttural sounds.

Then Larry was introduced as well as Pascal, Larry's communication support person. The room was silent. Larry began to slowly and laboriously type on his computer with his right index finger. Pascal pinched the upper sleeve of his shirt, exerting pressure on Larry. Larry's letters showed up on the large screen behind him. The letters formed words and the words sentences. NO punctuation. Four lines of words, funny and poetic. Larry welcomed us to his presentation. The room was silent. All eyes transfixed on Larry and the screen.  Then Larry's computer read the words to us. We laughed. Our hearts melted at his eloquence, his meaning, his inner world so at odds with his outer appearance.

The evening continued with a 20 minute movie about Larry, his life, and his art. There was a slide show where Larry and Pascal would take turns reading. Then Q & A. Throughout it all, the audience was mesmerized, all eyes on Larry, as he shared his story. And for those 90 minutes, Larry continued to stim,  pick his ear and eat what he found, smile a large, lopsided smile, rub his head, repeat certain words over and over again, and make all sorts of noises.

It was an amazing night as most of us had never seen such an outwardly severe man with Autism use Facilitated communication so poignantly. Larry talked about what it feels like to have Autism, what inspired his artwork, what it is most important for Special Needs kids to learn, and what his favorite color to paint with is. Throughout the evening, Larry would throw in subtle but very amusing jokes and continue to speak to us in his poetic prose about all these very important matters.

I cannot rightfully do justice to capturing Larry and his messages. So please check him out at www.larrybisonette.com.

Larry opened my already open eyes to HIS voice and the voices others with disabilities have. My very verbal but disabled son gave me a gift last night. I will spread Larry's messages and then some.  Thank you Larry. Thank you Willie.