My Hero Frank

“In honor of Autism Awareness Month I want to talk about someone who is very special to me and well I thought he was my best friend but he’s more then that he’s become my hero. His name is Frank and I am so lucky to have such a great person in my life. Each week Frank calls me to make sure I’m doing okay and he helps me when I’m struggling whether it’s with a social situation or I’m having bad anxiety he is always there to remind me not to pity myself and that I need to stay focused on what’s important. When I do have a pity party though he makes sure I snap out of it because sometimes being autistic and having anxiety it makes me feel like at times I’m a burden but Frank he never makes me feel that way in fact he’s one of the first friends who never gave up on me. I always thought when I was autistic I needed to be treated like I was kind of broken and at first when Frank didn’t I was confused and even mad because he wasn’t treating me like I felt he should. But after getting upset he pulled me aside and said I don’t look at you as autistic I look at you as Liz and I’m not going to treat you differently I’m going to treat you like everyone else. I think that’s the day Frank became my hero because I really needed someone to snap me out of the pity and shame I felt. Frank to me is a hero because he has taken time out of his busy schedule to make sure I’m doing okay and for him to let me call him a best friend is such a joy to me because I never really had a male role model other then my Dad. Frank most of all is a hero because he pushes me out of my comfort zone and helps me forget the label he reminds me of the able. If I could tell my hero frank one thing it would be how much I love him and his wife Cathy for being in my life and making it special. For once I feel complete and Frank has helped me heal of the wounds past.”

—Liz Michels