Feeling Normal

9/23/2024 20 Comments

Feeling Normal

All the years that I was trapped inside, there were things that I wanted to do so badly it hurt. Talking was the main one, obviously, but there were so many others. One of the biggest wants was education. Another was real friends. And I wanted, so badly, to hang out with friends and have fun. We know that we fit in nowhere except M2H…but we have it, and that makes everything ok. There are moments here when I forget I am disabled. What does that say about the culture of this place?

I dreamed of being invited to friends’ birthday parties and graduation parties, etc. I’d envision the invitation coming in the mail, and opening the envelope, and feeling the excitement and anticipation. And the party would be fancy, and have a DJ, and have servers carrying silver trays with a lot of different foods. I would be dressed up and I’d eat a ton - and then dance for hours - and feel like a normal person.
Alex is inviting me to his bar mitzvah. I can’t tell you what this means to me. Suffice to say that it has literally made a dream come true.

20 Comments

Meghan Looby

9/27/2024 05:20:56 pm

I hope you have a fun time at Alex's Bar Mitzvah! Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. I enjoyed reading your post!

Tami

9/27/2024 05:49:32 pm

Luke, you are not alone. My son was not a non-speaker all of his life, but he was when he developed PANS. He too was never invited to parties. Even though we were well known in the autism community, and so many people knew we had no family, my son wasn't invited. It would have meant so much to my son & I both. I don’t understand why autism families who want everyone to include their kids….don't try to include others. I hope your message can reach a lot of people who need to be kind!

Janice

9/27/2024 06:03:04 pm

Gosh do I love reading your thoughts, I am truly amazed by you💙

SUZANNE. MCDONNELL

9/27/2024 06:10:51 pm

Dear Luke, Your writing is eloquent, gentle, soul baring ~. what an extraordinary human being you are. I know your Father through Mary Holland and RFKJr. I have also met your brother with John. Luke, I rejoice with you that M2H exists. And I am very grateful to " know " you through John. I hope you will write more. You are a nonspeaker, but know that your mind and your soul speak loudly and clearly through your writing. THANK. YOU . God Bless You. Warmly, Suzanne

Tova loves you Hooper

9/27/2024 06:13:27 pm

I hope that you dress up like a movie star and get to eat the fanciest of foods and then dance the night away. I love reading your posts and look forward to you writing about the party. ❤️

Beth Anne

9/27/2024 07:21:38 pm

I love reading your blog.

Michelle

9/27/2024 07:38:50 pm

Thank you for writing! Keep sharing! I am so very moved by your words. You do not know me, but please know that we readers are enjoying it so much. It actually makes my heart burst with joy to know that you’ve found this medium to express yourself.

Lisanne Guzzetta

9/27/2024 08:06:49 pm

My heart is bursting with joy for you xoxoxo

Jennifer Gallozzi

9/27/2024 09:06:49 pm

Reading your thoughts remind me how much we All have in common.Thank you for the share.

Jay

9/27/2024 10:27:46 pm

Luke, Your musings are so incredible and pure. Society should be required to read the thoughts of the non-verbal community and act on them. Never stop sharing and dreaming. For you, have the more depth and perspective than verbal authors. You are so loved and admired!!! 🩵

Melissa Chios

9/27/2024 10:49:49 pm

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to read your thoughts. This is only the beginning of a new world of opportunities and experiences for you. I know you will cherish and enjoy all of the beautiful moments ahead, without taking them for granted.

Lisa Colin

9/28/2024 08:17:45 am

Luke,
You have provided parents with much insight and hope for our own children. Enjoy the Bar Mitzvah! Consider looking on YouTube, barmitzvah, so you can see a bar mitzvah service and also celebratory dances; you can practice!

Susan

9/28/2024 08:25:01 am

You’re writing is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. God Bless you and your family.

Debbie

9/28/2024 10:40:07 am

I am so happy that you have created this blog for all of us. I know it will inspire other families with non-speakers to begin on the path that you are on, this path that has lead you to joy and freedom. Someone also commented about how your blog is a reminder of how much we all have in common, I wholeheartedly agree. Never stop sharing your truths and never stop being you! I can’t wait to read your next blog post. Enjoy your party!

Nancie

9/28/2024 10:55:40 am

Luke! I love your blogs and my heart is full knowing you now can share with us your beautiful thoughts! Have a great time at your friends Bar Mitzvah! 💖
I’ve met you a few times at Maureen’s house, friends with your Mom and Dad

Cassy

9/29/2024 09:32:40 am

Luke, I am so happy to see these updates and I genuinely enjoy reading your thoughts.

I am in my forties now, but growing up in the 80’s, 90’s, I was always fascinated with the brain and its abilities. The human body is an amazing miracle. Back then, there were not as many cases as today, but i remember meeting some people that were disabled and non-verbal. Some of which were family members; stroke victims and head traumas, etc. Some of these people I’d met were non-verbal, and as someone who loves communicating— to a degree of fault, I always paid special attention to my interactions with them and was left wondering as a child how much more they were saying and thinking inside that wasn’t communicated. I believed then, as a child, that their brains functioned as perfectly as anyone else’s, that that were physically incapable of showing it/speaking. I imagined these non-verbal people living very large lives inside their own bodies that we couldn’t hear and it always gave me huge empathy and compassion. Still, I struggled feeling comfortable communicating with some of the people I knew as a child, and always hoped we could bridge the gap between us as verbal and non-verbal beings. I just wanted to share my thoughts with you because you have proved it to be true. You are living life alongside the rest of us, with thoughts and feelings and opinions and experiences and I am so glad you have found an outlet that allows you to share all of that. I would love to continue reading your life story 💛

Ellen link

10/1/2024 12:24:11 pm

Beautiful writing, Luke. It’s an honor to have met your dad and be introduced to your blog. Praying for you and hoping all your dreams come true.

Tori Alexander

10/3/2024 08:04:43 am

You are an inspiration.

Diane

10/4/2024 07:34:08 pm

Hi Luke,
I loved reading your blog post and I am so very happy that you’re going to your friends Bar Mitzvah! I hope you will post about that, I would love to read about it (I’ve never been to one before!) I am sure it’s going to be so much fun. You express yourself in such a beautiful way. You are an inspiration and I am so grateful that I got to read your post. God bless you, Luke! I am praying that all of your dreams continue to come true!!

Christine Runquist

11/2/2024 12:53:58 am

Luke, thank you so much for sharing that. It's very encouraging. I think I should learn S2C with my daughters.

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