I watch this woman child standing among hundreds

Waiting to begin

The Autism Speaks Walk.

Everyone in this place is touched in some way by Autism.

For me, it is my daughter, but for others it’s a sister, brother, or son.

Many here share our story.

Children misdiagnosed and mislabeled as

Retarded, schizophrenic, deaf or dumb and

Put on psychotropic drugs from infancy

Their only hope parents who would not rest until the truth was found.

Today, these people stand united shouting

“I am not crazy, or stupid. I am strong and smart in my own way.”

As I watch her walk, I remember the day the doctors advised me

“Put her in a home or mental hospital and forget her.”

I cannot repeat the words I said to him that day,

They had something to do with the white horse he rode in on.

I wish he could see her triumph today.

I wish all the doctors who misdiagnosed these children could be

Forced into this arena to recognize their errors and the pain it has caused.

Perhaps they would be less likely to reach snap judgments in the future.

May God forgive them for the pain and suffering they caused to countless children of God.