Autism is a bit of a mystery. Doctors continue to research and discover “breakthroughs” on the topic, there really hasn’t been a confirmed cause for the genetic disorder. For a while, people believed that vaccines were the cause of diagnosis, but recently that was proven to be a huge “scandal” (basically the guy who said it told a lie). But I did not believe in the vaccines theory in the first place, to put it in words that make since I guess, I continue to believe that the cause of Autism is more personal. For example, my mother never drank while she was pregnant, she has never smoked before, no drugs, no reckless endangerment to her children, especially while she was pregnant. She had two healthy daughters prior to her third child, and she even had a healthy fourth baby girl. But something in lucky number three was different.

To this day, I still thank God for my little brother. I don’t think I could ever love another human being more than I love him. Sam is a large light in my life, and I hope to share with you my gratitude for growing up with someone on the spectrum.

Sammy has definitely taught me a thing or two about patience and understanding the term “put yourself in their shoes”. As he is older now, he is starting to mature and has reached the “Imma laid back teenager bro” kind of stage. But when he was younger, he never wanted to sit still, he constantly needed some attention, and he developed little quirks about him (that he worked hard to grow out of and handle). For example, he could not go into places that were noisy (basketball games, concerts, sometimes even my dance recitals) without throwing a tantrum because he was scared. But my father really pushed him beyond his comfort zones, and now Sam is raging along with the crowd during the thousands of Hawks games they attend.

Personally, I have students that I teach who have ADHD and autistic behaviors, and it has been very easy to connect with them and understand how they process thoughts. And no, I do not treat them any differently from other students: I expect them to work hard and succeed with the same level of expectation. That is a huge misconception with Autism (or anyone with a “disorder” for that matter). No matter how high or low they are on the spectrum, treating them like they depend on you to think for them will never allow them to live up to their own potential.

The potential I have seen in my brother is incredible. I have probably said this a million times before, but nobody has ever inspired me as much as he has, especially when it comes to reaching your goals. My brother is really into basketball…like staying up until midnight shooting baskets in his miniature hoop while I try to sleep really into basketball. He’s played through all the “little league” programs and practices every second of every day (he is literally playing miniature basketball as I type this). But Sam has gone through a lot of rejection; not because of his Autism but just because sometimes you don’t make the teams. He has a very hard time with rejection and takes it all out on himself, and it breaks my heart to watch. As an older sister, protecting my siblings honestly on of my purposes in life, and watching him think he is not good enough…it hurts me too.

But let me tell you something, Sam never gives up. Didn’t make his middle school basketball team...twice: didn’t give up. Didn’t make the cut for an elite program: didn’t give up. Continuously just lost games over the years…he still didn’t give up. He practiced longer and worked harder, just like a real athlete. And this year, he made an elite basketball travel team: only 20 boys made it out of 120. I had never seen him so happy.

I am so proud and thankful to be inspired by my little brother every day. He works hard to reach his goals, he has straight As, he wants to be successful, and he is kind. He is very kind. I cannot wait to support him as he continues to aspire above and beyond. Living with someone with a “disorder” should never be a burden or an excuse for pity, it is a beautiful chance to realize what unconditional love and support can feel like. It truly is a blessing.

I love you, Sammy. Keep reaching for the stars.