An appeal to America: A message to all citizens from a person with Autism

An Special Letter to the Editor Written By Christopher C. Gagliardi

To most importantly the undecided voters, This is a message that I asked to be not edited nor toned down. This is something I had to write because I had felt the deep urgency to write to the press about. In less than 11 days from today, the nation's future will be decided upon by you...the people of this country. But already as we speak, many have already made their decision and the uncertainty of this has me greatly worried, and with good reason. I would like to tell you a important story as to why your vote and your voice matters to me and to others. I am a 43-year-old male loving life to the fullest, enjoying everything that makes America a place that I love very much.

I may look normal today, but forty - three years ago, I was born with a challenge called “infantile autism.” At that time, no one really understood autism, and my frequent “tantrums,” aloof affect, and inability to speak baffled the people around me. I felt like a caged animal. I was frustrated because I lacked the ability to explain my thoughts and feelings, and simultaneously oblivious to the fact that was I unable to communicate. You see, Autism can be lonely, especially early on.

I was the only one who knew how hard it was to be autistic, because I lived it and felt that no one could understand me or my experience. My hometown didn’t have the correct special education programs for autistic or other special needs children, so I was bussed out to other public schools in neighboring school districts, which presented it’s own challenges. Among the challenges that people who are on the spectrum deal with every day, there was transitioning from a home and small-town environment to a new larger environment and school system. Another thing that is difficult sometimes for People with special needs is that they are expected to acclimate, even in school, to common-place daily events like holiday celebrations, decorating the classrooms, and other activities. Yet as a person with this kind of challenge with no steps to help me transition, to me, this was torturous and painful. In addition, there is the horrific and painful reality of bullying. I was called names, called “retarded,” and subjected to physical violence, but my language abilities were not yet available to me and I didn’t have the capacity to tell my mom what was happening. Soon I was developing my ability to speak, and as my physical ability grew so did my desire to speak out to support rights for those who needed them.

My confidence grew and I was fortunate to have the warmth and endless support of people who believed in me then and still believe in me now. The result has been a lifetime of breakthroughs: allowing my mom to hug me for the first time at sixteen-years-old after a bad encounter with bullying; a little acting, and some music; working as a community activist seeking to deliver a message about the rights of people with special needs; running for and winning roles in high school government up to and including student council president; and even taking a chance on college although there is still a need to fully address correct transitional programs for those with special needs seeking to move into a collegiate setting. In 2005, because of my work as a community activist, I was honored by my political peers as a hero among Bergen County’s residents. I did these things by transforming “the impossible into the possible,” and by refusing to surrender or listen to negativity. I accomplished these goals with the faith, love, and support of every single individual on my side that I was blessed to have surrounding along my entire journey.

Their love and support lead to my decision that I would dedicate my life to fighting for change through politics and to bring attention to the issues that affect citizens with special needs. I have been fortunate enough to have been in the political game since I was, believe it or not, 12 years of age. I've made phone calls and campaigned for candidates. Whether at the grassroots level, by getting out the vote with phone banks, or deciding to run for New Jersey State Assembly in the 37th legislative district. You read that correctly. At the time, I was concerned that no one could truly represent the physically and mentally challenged citizens of our state. I educated myself on how to get onto the ballot, took the train with my petition and signatures to Trenton, New Jersey, and filed. My platform was simple: I was and still am for change in this country, a country I love so deeply. My attempt at a run for elected office got attention in media outlets and the story reached as far as the northwestern United States. In the summer of 2009, I won 15% in the primaries for my race. My opponents were so impressed that they appointed me the first Special Needs Outreach Advocate.

All my life I can say that I am proud of the liberties that have been afforded to me and I take seriously the solemn responsibility of protecting them. Which is why I must now use this word: INCLUSION. Inclusion means to eradicate the exclusion of physically and mentally challenged people who cannot enjoy a normal life in school or society. And I will tell you that Exclusion or denial of someone's right to live a happy life especially here in this great country is WRONG. In my life, whenever I had doubts about my abilities or felt like I had failed, my dear friend and mentor Peter Noonan always told me: “You create your own destiny!” This leads me to the point of my letter and why this important election effects not just me, but millions of people with special needs in our country.

As I said earlier I was born with Infantile Autism. I have been fortunate enough to have been in the political game since I was, believe it or not, 12 years of age. I've made phone calls and campaigned for candidates. I ran for the state assembly and helped eradicate the R word from the language in our state and also to make the toughest Anti-Bullying bill of rights. Why can I say all these things, it is because I can say that I was NEVER EVER scared of doing these things. Until Now.

I can honestly admit that for as long as I can remember, I can not recall a time in the history of this country or in the history of the 21st century had I ever seen a election where the very future of our country and all that we have so fought hard for, especially our rights as a person with special needs, is at stake in this election. In the year 2016 I was in absolute SHOCK when I watched Donald J. Trump mock a reporter with special needs during one of his campaign stops in the last presidential election. When you attack and mock someone with special needs, it is not only a violation of their rights, but of every single citizen with special needs and their families, period. As a person with special needs, I have a great fear for people with special needs and for others that if I woke tomorrow and heard the results that could be one of the greatest tragedies in our modern times.

I am frightened by the prospect that people cannot get to the voting poll, because of the current crisis we are facing, where the ballots are going and a president that will show a lack of care, compassion, taking care of people, sitting in the white house for another 4 years continuing to abuse the very office the people vote to give him.

Donald Trump, DOES NOT represent America. The only thing that he represents is the almighty dollar, and when he looks out at his supporters and constituents, all he sees is money in his pocket. The hardship and struggle that people have endured for so long in silence due to bullying, because of traits that we were born with should not hold us back from what we can achieve and contribute to social progress. My brothers and sisters, and fellow Americans who are reading this letter, I am crying out from the mountaintop and declare with a roar on behalf of all people with special needs that “I am a human being. My life has value. My freedom I do not take lightly.”

All that my mom and I fought for is something we cherish deeply and yet he does not see us as American citizens trying to show the world that people with special needs can DO and ACCOMPLISH greatness! It is the fear Donald Trump used to make us feel small, unappreciated and worse. I cannot and will not allow such a travesty of injustice to be done, not just to those who struggle with special needs day after day, but to women, LGBTQPIA citizens, and citizens of every faith, nationality, and creed. They all should be given the same historic opportunities that this nation has given to me. This election provided those citizens with a candidate who encompassed courage, compassion, grace, dignity and more throughout her entire life, and that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in fighting for every single individual’s god-given potential.

To the people who are undecided, hear me. There is only ONE candidate who can stand up and help bring our country back from the brink of the abyss, someone who has a great understanding of us, as individuals, as AMERICANS indeed, no matter what preference of gender, religion, nationality, etc. and he too, like me, has a challenge that he fought so hard for, her name? Kamala Harris.She has a record that is bar none extraordinary and the obstacles and hardships he has faced in HER life is a living testament to her service in the senate and as President Joe Biden Vice President for 4 years clearly shows she is ready to lead our country to build America better, stronger, brighter, hope-filled and true to the words of our constitution to make our country: “A more perfect union”.

Time and again she has proven herself to be the most qualified candidate to run for the presidency maybe ever. From the first moment that Joe Biden announced his candidacy in April of last year after the horrors of Charlottesville and beyond, and not only that chose the one and only Kamala Harris based upon her record of fighting for the people, clearly their mission was to fight for the soul of this country which moved us all so deeply. Their fire in the heart burns as bright as the sun in the sky and every star in the universe that god created. Now Kamala ,who's name is Sanskrit means “Lotus” just like the flower that grows to produce such beautiful pedals that can reach out and touch, do touch the soul of all those who listen possesses the strength to make a difference in this world and to build a future for the next generation. And that is something I strongly believe in: a future for the next generation free to get an education in peace without being bullied because of religion, gender, or sexual orientation. A future for women to be paid the same salaries for the same work as their male counterparts.

The other candidate doesn't listen, the only person he listens to, is himself and deceived the people who voted him in, as a result, we had the loss of over 22O,OOO lives because of this monster called Covid-19 and also lives lost because of the bloodshed that was done because of hate and more. This man cannot be trusted to be in office again. We warned the American people in 2O16 who had a choice, either to chose life and peace and hope-filled days ahead or darkness, hate, violence and worse. The choice was made and the consequences have been disastrous sincerely. Should Biden, who has lived with a human obstacles, trials and tribulations, be elected, he is the only one who can correct some of the damage that has been done AND more.

To the people who are leaning towards or are going with trump, I want to tell you something important:

I want you to consider this when you cast your votes on November 5th or earlier for president of the United States: Ask yourself these questions: Do I want a president who has abused, dishonored, mistreated, mocked, and harassed many people because of gender, special needs, religion, and race? Do I want a president who my kids can look up to, when he writes off sexual assault as “locker room” talk? Do I want a president who cares only about building a wall to isolate and deny those who seek the American dream? Do I want a president who wants to lead our country down a dark path of bigotry, hate, and distrust? Do I want a president who has a temperament of a 2 year old? Do I want a president who has lied and caused lives to be lost because of a monster named Covid-19? Do I also want a president who idolizes evil men such as Hitler and other dictators and would want generals to follow his rules and not obey the Constitution of the United states?!

OR…

Do I want a president who will embrace all people and give every single person a chance to live and dream big, to inspire change, to be included, no matter what their gender, religion, or orientation? Do I want a president with an iron-clad plan for economic and social progress continuing to move us #ONWARD #UPWARD #FORWARD and beyond? Do I want a president who I can be proud of for taking risks and WINNING because the people believed strongly enough by taking a chance to elect Kamala Harris president? Do I want a president who as a prosecutor, senator, etc. did so much to make sure our children have a future to live and to dream toward? Do I want a president who will fight to make sure that people get their fair share of the American Dream and be able to stand on their own two feet, to provide for themselves and their families?

Last and most importantly: Do I want a President that will make sure that those who have fought so hard for inclusion can finally be embraced by the world so that he can lead the next generation towards a better tomorrow? IT IS UP TO YOU now more than ever before in the history of humanity and in the history of The United States for the very first time, to stand up to this man and say: HATE ABSOLUTELY does NOT belong here, in the White House, or anywhere. LOVE DOES BELONG in America and the world! NOW is the time! NOW is OUR moment! NOW is our chance to make history and do what is right for the future of this country. I pray and ask from my heart on behalf of “we, the people” that you hear the cries of “Love Trumps Hate” and “Good Can Win over Evil” and finally declare we reject demagogues like Donald Trump once and for all!!

Please remember me and all those who fought so hard for their right to be heard and seen. Remember women. And most importantly, please, for the sake of people who seek the dream of equality, justice, love, compassion, and for the great heroes who sacrificed everything for us to live in peace and freedom and be whatever we want to be: remember the people when you cast your votes on November 5th I know where my vote lies with...it goes to Kamala Harris sincerely for SHE knows US!

This country’s future rests with you, it is now in your hands! VOTE BLUE 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 TO SAVE DEMOCRACY AND AMERICA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🩵

Very sincerely yours,

Christopher C. Gagliardi