It's not classical or hip-hop. It's not Wayne Newton or Lil' Wayne. It's not the Super Bowl or Wimbledon. It's the millions of children, tweeners, pre-teens, teens, adults, and seniors around the world who have Autism that we should be celebrating. Beyond the medical journals, beyond the statistics, beyond the vials of blood that sit in labs to be tested ......we have wonderful friends who are making history every day. Through hard work, dedication and love there are teams celebrating everyday successes that will never be splashed across the headlines. Want to know what team is? Want to know what trials and struggles are? Want to prove you have what it takes to defy the odds and prove all your detractors wrong?

In every town around the world there are families and individuals with Autism that are overcoming obstacles that once seemed impossible to conquer. There are moms surviving on no more than 4 hours of sleep a night as they research tirelessly to find the support systems and options that might help their newly diagnosed child better connect with the world. There are teams of speech, OT, PT, and ABA therapists (to name a few) creating plans to help one family, one child beat the odds. A DAN doctor that is looking beyond what the medical books tell him because he knows there is more going on with our children than what the books tell him. There is a 21 year old man who is preparing to graduate from one of the most elite universities in the world who didn't speak a word until he was 7. His parents were told to give him over to the government so they could live a "normal" life and not have to deal with him. There is a 16 year old girl who is trying out for her first school play. She doesn't know it yet, she will get the lead role because she knows every line and sings like an angel. She has overcome her panic attacks and fear of bright lights. When the curtain rises the spotlight will be on her. There is no one more deserving.

Your margins are down and customers are demanding you drop prices further. You didn't hit quota this quarter and missed out on the trip to the islands with the rest of the sales team. You spilled coffee on your new tie and are taking it out on your admin. The bag checker at the grocery store is taking longer than usual and you can't function knowing you just lost 45 seconds out of your day. You think you have it hard? The world doesn't understand how important you are? You "deserve" better than this?

Ask Anne Marie and Michael what can happen in 45 seconds. That's all it took for the doctor to walk in and tell them their 3 year old boy has Autism and they can pay up front on their way out. Ask Hudson how important that job at the grocery store is and he will tell you that it's his way of gaining independence. Ask your admin how hard it was to overcome being bullied every single day of school because no one understood why she would rock in her chair and pretend to type on the school desk like a keyboard was in front of her.

Oh, that tie you spilled coffee on. The talented hands that so delicately crafted such beautiful patterns made from silk are those of a 53 year old man with Autism who lives in a residential facility that sees his abilities and not his disability. Go buy yourself another tie and pick one up for your friend.

Every day there are stories of success. Every day we should sing praises for what we have overcome.