I’m not an emotional person.
It takes a lot to move me, particularly to tears. But yesterday as I was perusing Facebook, I clicked on a video that was shared by one of my friends. What drew me in was that this story was about an autistic girl. I have no real connection to the story other than the fact that I have a friend with an autistic child, and as a result, I’ve connected a tiny bit with a foundation related to this particular form of autism.
Yesterday I also wrote a post about the power of stories, and how businesses and non-profits should be using stories as they communicate and engage with others online.
This is such a story.
I don’t want to tell the whole story. I want you to discover it on your own, via video and the written word. But the story of Carly will move you. I promise.
I can’t imagine what it must be like as a young parent to be told that your little girl is autistic, and perhaps will reach, at best, the developmental level of a 6-year old. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have a child who can’t seem to communicate in any meaningful way, other than flailing and tantrums. And yet, even when others might have given up, Carly’s parents never gave up and did what parents do best: they loved her.
And then at the age of 11, Carly proved everyone wrong. I encourage you to watch this video and I dare you to not be moved:
Now that you’ve heard and seen Carly’s story, I urge you to connect with her, because her story isn’t over. She now uses Twitter and Facebook to continue to tell her story and give hope. Take time to visit her website and read her blog.
Take time and listen to Carly’s voice. Listen to her story.
It’s a story filled with power, and the best part is, the last chapter has yet to be written!
