Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are general terms used to describe complex behavior and brain development patterns, and affect 1 in every 68 American children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Difficulties in communication and social interaction, including verbal and non-verbal methods, characterize these disorders. Some individuals diagnosed with ASD also excel in visual skills and expressions of creativity.
As April is Autism Awareness Month, I’d like to tell you all a story of someone very close to me that has been diagnosed with autism since his early years of childhood: my brother Kevin.
Kevin is an incredible individual who has a keen eye for all modes of transportation, most especially aviation. He coined himself an “aviation enthusiast,” and takes pride in engaging with the aviation community through attending various events and participating in online forums, discussing the past, present and future of the aviation world.
When we were all still under the same roof with my other older brother, Matthew, we mainly lived on military bases. This meant that we were nearly always surrounded by aircraft of all different kinds, and Kevin could tell you exactly what model of the plane we saw, what year it was built, the interior design, its usual route: you ask it, and he could (and still can) tell you within moments, merely from memory. Some of our greatest memories together were from the times we rode on military aircraft as children, as the pilots would let Kevin onboard the cockpit to experience what he had seen delving through the Internet. He was always very willing to share his wealth of knowledge with those around him, and he really is one of the kindest people I know.
Now, I have to admit that growing up with Kevin wasn’t always easy. There are seven years between us, so I was significantly younger than my brothers when my parents were still learning how to cope with Kevin’s autism.
There would be times when I wouldn’t understand why he did certain things, or why he didn’t feel a certain way or give me a certain reaction I sought from him after an event. There would be times when I didn’t understand the emotional outbursts, or the friction between his ways of communication and our ways of receiving and understanding it. There would be times when I felt a little resentment for not understanding, for not knowing how to act in some situations, but that was never his fault and I grew to understand that. Indeed, we faced many challenges as a family, both within the family and as a family unit.
However, at the base of our problems, I think, was Kevin’s yearn for independence and the uneasiness of embracing his independence with him. Being a family, we wanted to protect him at all costs, as we saw how the world reacted to him under this negative stigma attached to the word “disability” or “disorder.” We saw through the fake kindness people would put forth when Kevin was mainstreamed outside of Special Education, and how they would laugh or taunt under their breath. We saw the disapproving looks people would give us when we would calm his mind in public. We wanted to protect Kevin from this negativity and keep him in good spirits. Yet, in protecting him, we also shielded him from realizing his true potential and standing on his own two feet. My parents did their best, and eventually let Kevin spread his wings in search of adventure.
Kevin is a very successful man, and many would say this success started in high school. At Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, JP, Kevin was not only the dragon mascot at football games, dancing side-by-side with the cheerleaders, but he also conducted the school announcements every day over the intercom. His clear, booming voice attracted the ears of all those in attendance. I, too, attended and graduated from Kubasaki just before Stanford, and the staff would always approach me and ask, “Are you Kevin Meno’s sister?” My brother truly is a living legend.
Since graduating high school, Kevin has been living in Long Beach, CA and is an active participant at The Arc of Los Angeles & Orange Counties: a non-profit dedicated to seeking out educational and employment opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Kevin is also well on his way to fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a flight attendant by volunteering at Long Beach Airport (LGB). As an LGB volunteer, Kevin works as a tour guide and for community outreach, but is soon going to also receive the title of passenger terminal ambassador.
I couldn’t be any prouder of my brother for finding happiness and living life in a way that also contributes to the society he cares so much about. The negative stigma associated with “disorder” or “disability,” I hope, will soon cease to exist. Kevin is living proof that those with autism still have all the potential, and the heart, in the world to be active, effective members of society.
To learn more about autism and the good acts of those in the community of Autism Speaks, “the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, please click here.
