Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters.

And nothing else matters.

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This is my true, real life story of everything that's happened to me up to now. I've been an active member of DA for four months now. During these months I've met some of the most wonderful people I ever talked to in my life, and I can't even see their faces. I was starting to doubt myself before I went on here and talked to them. Now every day they are all I look forward to anymore...

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EDIT: I can't believe all the positive attention this is receiving! A huge thank you to everyone who's commented, faved, and showed support in this! Autism is a growing epidemic in our nation, ten years ago the rate for autism was one in one thousand...now it's an astonishing one in eighty eight! By spreading awareness we are finding solutions, and with that hope.

I find autism more of a gift and a blessing than a burden, it has given me everything I've enjoyed in life and more. Of course bullying is another problem that's addressed here. It occurs behind backs, or face to face. But words hurt me more than the punches did. Scars heal, mental scars are etched permanently. I will never forget the threats, the writings, being beaten to the point of thinking there was no reason for living anymore at a point of my life when I was supposed to find meaning and purpose. I wish schools would actually solve the damn problem and not just plaster anti bullying posters on the walls.

About the Vaccines/Autism link/debate:

I know there's no proof that vaccines or mercury = autism besides testimonies and stories. While I believe that children should NEVER avoid vaccinations all together just for the "risk" of getting autism, I do believe that getting multiple shots in a row at that young of an age can ultimately do more harm than good. That many vaccinations should be spread out, not taken all at once. I also know that the age most children do get vaccinated is the same age that symptoms for autism occur, and that there's many reported cases of autism from kids who haven't gotten vaccinated at all. High levels of mercury can also come from fish and other sources too. Again, there is no certain link between mercury poisoning and autism, though they both share similar symptoms.

About the ending:

As cliched as it may seem, I felt obliged to include it. People offer refer to autism as a metaphor to a puzzle, in the sense that it is something we keep building onto, trying to figure out or cure. In reality, we should come together to understand those on the spectrum to make the whole, bigger picture clear.

About the piece itself:

I appreciate every comment and view, and though I may not have the time to personally thank every one of you, I am very grateful for your support. There is no critique feature here, as I feel this isn't a piece that should have a formal critique, but if you want to give one please do. Any kind of feedback or ways to further improve this account is highly appreciated.

Again thank you to everyone who's taken the time to read my story, every comment really means so much to me.