When I was 5 or 6 years old, around 2002 or 2003, my dad came home for a one-month leave from Abu Dhabi. During one of our visits to relatives, we went to his very distant cousin's home. She and her husband were present with their 6 or 7-year-old daughter. I had never seen a girl like her before. She was different from my friends from school or the neighborhood. She was smiling widely, drooling slightly from the side of her mouth with a little crooked line to her cheek, and running towards me with open arms.
Now, I understand it was pure love and joy from her side, meeting another girl. But back then, as a kid myself, I got so scared seeing someone unusual running up to me with so much enthusiasm that I screamed, turned back, and ran for my life. When we reached home, my mom explained that we shouldn't do that. She told me the girl was autistic andwas just like me, but also special and needed more care.
Growing up, I learned what autism is and how autistic people are. They are beautiful human beings, special children of God, just like my mom said. However, until I grew up, I didn't fully understand what autism was. Considering my age and the era I lived in, information wasn't as readily available as it is for my teenage sister today.
Looking back, I felt bad for running away from that girl, even though I was just a child. It made me feel very bad. Now, where I live, there is a 40+ year-old man across the street who is autistic. He is unmarried and greying but happily waves at people who pass by. As a penance for my childhood behavior, I wave back and smile at him each time. I was a kid back then, but now I'm a mature adult who understands God's special children, their intentions, and their simplicity.
All lives are precious. Everybody needs respect, compassion, and love.
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