2 Years Old Today!

Two years ago today, I wrote a Facebook post revealing a secret I had been hiding for four years. Since that day I have dedicated my time to advocating for a more accepting and inclusive world for people on the autism spectrum. Today we celebrate two years since the post that started this all, two years of giving hope to young people on the spectrum and their families. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support and I would especially like to thank the Victorian Student Representative Council, YDAS and YacVic Rural for your continued support and guidance. To mark this special occasion, I have decided to repost the post that started this journey two years ago today, I hope you enjoy. posted on April 10th, 2016 (unedited for authenticity) In the past couple of years I have heard people use autism as an insult and I have seen people take selfies of themselves pulling silly faces saying they have autism or have captions such as “the autistic boys” I would like to say something about these people they do not know what autism is if they are mocking it like this. There are Autistic people all over the place they are just ordinary people with as some people describe it super powers. There are people who have autism and they walk past you every day and some even talk to you. I would like to ask a question and I want everyone to think about this. What is wrong with having autism? I would like to end this post with telling you a secret that I don’t tell many people as I am constantly worrying about what they are going to think of me if I tell them and I am sick of hiding who I am. I am autistic and I am proud to be as it gives me “super powers” I can smell fish and chips from a mile away and I can hear things most don’t know exist. Autism is not a disease nor is it contagious and it doesn’t mean I can’t go to school and do the same work everybody else does it doesn’t mean I can’t be who I want to be. I can be whatever I want. I constantly hear people use the question “are you autistic?” as an insult I have even being asked that question and I will answer that now yes I am autistic does anybody have a problem with that? If you made it to the end of this post and still are willing to be friends with me then you are my true friends. I don’t want to be treated any different because I am autistic just remember that every post you make that makes fun of autism hurts somebody and that post is permanently on the internet like a tattoo is on your skin. Thanks for reading Bryce Pace I would like to finish by inviting you all if you are interested in helping me create a more accepting and inclusive world to head to www.brycepaceautismadvocate.com/donate and help fund my future projects. Thanks for your continued support and I look forward to working with you for many more years. Bryce Pace Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker