Mia: Embrace your Uniqueness

Mia is a 12 year old girl who is insightful and inspiring.  She also lives with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but this does not stop her from being the remarkable person she is.  I got the opportunity to get to know Mia and her Mom, Shawna, over the phone after reading a letter Mia wrote as a way to let others know what it is like to live with ASD.  Her words are inspiring. 

Mia has many hobbies.  She enjoys spending time with her friends, going on YouTube, building forts, and swimming.  However, it was apparent that Mia’s passion was reading.  We discussed her favourite book series’, Warriors, Harry Potter, and Land of Stories.  Currently Mia is reading the fifth book of Harry Potter, the thickest one!  Her excitement for reading radiated though the phone as we chatted about the many different books she’s read.   

 

When I asked Mia what makes her most proud of herself, she talked about the tantrums she used to have when she was younger and how today she no longer has them.  She is proud she has been able to work through them and be where she is today.  Her Mom also commented on the hard work Mia and her support system put into Mia’s progress and how thankful they are for these supports.   For Mia’s parents, they are most proud of their daughter for never judging based on diagnoses, age, or gender and enjoys others for who they are.  Mia embraces everyone’s diversity and gets to know each individual as themselves.    

When getting to know others, Mia commented that it was tricky to sometimes start a conversation and having friends with her helps.  This does not stop her from getting to know others though.  Mia said she finds it helpful to ask others about themselves and finds common interests with others. 

What is extraordinary about Mia is her genuine empathy, understanding, and sensible attitude towards others, whether they are living with ASD or not.  She explained how ASD is a spectrum.  For Mia, she likens the autism spectrum to a rainbow with a diverse array of colours.  Everyone is different with their own perspectives.  When talking about others, Mia told me, “even though some people can’t speak, doesn’t mean they don’t have a voice”.  

It was such a great opportunity to get to know Mia and her Mom.  Thank you for sharing your story with Autism Calgary.  Now if more people in this world could be just like Mia, the world would be a better place.  

– M.P.