Most people tend to wonder why I chose to work with special needs, “why teach someone who won’t ever fully understand you?”

I’ve babysat one remarkable special boy since 2014, since then I have taught him countless “hand clapping” songs, jokes, and have taken him on adventures. In all reality, though, he’s taught me way more things that I could ever even think to teach him. He’s taught me how to love, how to be patient, and not to sweat the small things.

There’s so much more to kids with disabilities than most people think. They love unconditionally, yes they have bad days but I have never seen or met anybody love someone more than their own self like Hutch does. People tend to make the occasional remark “it takes a real patient person to take care of a special needs kid” I am nowhere near patient, I haven’t even taken classes on how to deal with autistic kids. God knew what he was doing when he stuck Hutch into my life.

Autistic people might not be able to hold a full on conversation with you but I promise they can do something better than you can. Hutch can’t have a normal conversation with you, but he can draw some amazing things. I have never met a more creative person, he puts his thoughts onto paper and it truly astonishes me.

Hutch can walk into a room and somebody can be having the worst day of their life, but when they see Hutch their face lights up. He’s not only a positive person in his family and school but his whole community. People always assume that kids with disabilities learn from us, but I promise I have learned way more from them.

People with special needs are so humble and kind, they’re not aware of all the negativity and hatred in this world. They just live day by day, one Dr. Pepper and happy thought at a time. I challenge you to go out and talk to someone with special needs, it will open your heart and your eyes.