Have You Ever Wished You Were Someone Else?: Carrying the Weight of Autism - Softcover

Garner, Marquis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1943331502 ISBN 13: 9781943331505

Verlag: Orange Hat Publishing, 2017

Über diesen Titel

Reseña del editor:

This book takes you through the mind of author Marquis Garner as he shares his trials and triumphs of living with autism, from battling depression after being bullied by his peers, to earning a bachelor’s degree from Midwest Bible College even when his teachers said it wasn’t possible. Get an inside look on how a young man with a disability stays positive in the face of adversity.

Biografía del autor:

Marquis Antwan Garner (featured in photo on the right, next to his father) is a 34-year-old autistic young man from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a Special Olympics athlete who participates in basketball, bowling, soccer, and track. Marquis likes to write creative stories in his spare time. He is an actor, and has been in local stage plays, including Voice of the Fatherless Child. He also has been cast as an extra I a few local Milwaukee movies. Marquis knows that at the present moment there is no known cure for his disease, but he stays positive by keeping himself busy. Marquis describes this as a test. He says, "I've always been tested, not just by my disability, but by life. Kids are cruel - If they didn't try to make me feel bad about my disability, it would be something else - like being black or having dark skin." Marquis was the first African American in his Special Education class. He says, "Kids analyze everything. A kid with mild Down's syndrome recalled meeting my mother. He asked our Special Education teacher if I was adopted, LOL." Marquis has very dark skin and having a mother so light-skinned made some people wonder why he is so dark. The same kid told the teacher he didn't like Marquis because he looks like black males who get arrested on the news. Being the only black person in his Special Education class was a political minefield for Marquis. All of those experiences have humbled him and made him appreciate the little innocent things in life. "I am touched by people who were told that they couldn't do something, but are still able to overcome them!", says Marquis. He was told he could not attend college, but he accomplished that dream. Marquis says it helps all human beings stand a better chance of success and happiness if they set goals for themselves. "If you can't walk, you can use crutches or wheelchair; if you can't speak, they have machines or sign language to help you; if you have poor handwriting like me - my handwriting is illegible so I use a computer to get my point across." Marquis understands autism is something he has to live with; he has accepted this and he embraces it. Having the disease makes him pay attention to strangers who have challenges in their own lives as well. Marquis said he was watching an ESPN-TV special about a TNT-TV sports commentator named Ernie Johnson. The documentary told of his courageous victory in overcoming cancer and adopting and raising a son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. "I would like to meet Ernie's son, Michael," says Marquis. Marquis was told Michael would probably only live about 12 years. He has lived past that age and fought a tremendous battle to stay alive; although I don't know him I would like to meet him and thank him for being a true inspiration of strength and courage. In closing, Marquis would like to encourage all the people living with autism around the world and to thank everyone who takes the time to read, research understand the disease. He would also like to thank Joe Bednarek, a good friend in college who helped and tutored him when he struggled with his biblical studies; and his friend Adriel Rich who offered him spiritual guidance. He also wants to thank his friends Maurice McClinton, Brice Johnson Brown and best friend for 20 years, James Patterson. Thanks also go out to Uncle Greg Garner, and a special dedication goes to both the Garner and the Jackson families, the Payne family, the Dunlap family, Charles Jones, Kimberly Jones and Great Aunt Norma Jones, respectfully. Marquis Antwan Garner loves you all and appreciates the impact you all have had in his life. God Bless you all.

Über diese Auflage

• Verlag: Orange Hat Publishing
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1943331502
• ISBN 13: 9781943331505
• Einband: Tapa blanda
• Anzahl der Seiten: 96