Autism Is A World.

I just finished watching a documentary called Autism is a World. Everyone has times when they are unable to clearly communicate what they are thinking or feeling. Sometimes we may forget the correct word or our minds just go blank. For individuals with autism or other mental disabilities, however, that feeling may be a continual one. In Autism Is A World, Sue Rubin, a 26-year old autistic woman, showed how individuals with autism—and other mental disabilities—experience that inability to communicate every day.

The resulting frustration from lack of communication must be profound. But one thing is certain; no matter how severe the disability or even mental retardation may be, every individual thinks and feels and yes, even communicates. While an individual may be non-verbal or convey feelings in ways that may be unintelligible to an average person, communication still takes place. The difficulty comes in interpreting the thoughts and feelings when they are conveyed in a non-traditional way.

However, through technological and social advances, individuals in the United States are given the opportunity to be understood. There are still steps to be taken to ensure that these individuals can reach their fullest potential. But my mind is continually drawn towards those individuals living in third world or old Soviet Bloc countries. How many countless of them are just as capable as any one of us, but never given the resources to advance their minds and themselves? Or how many others, perhaps not as intellectually advanced, still long to convey some small part of what runs through their minds? These must also be given a chance, an same opportunity. Someone must go and serve... to unlock their minds and let them touch the world.