This week, a Brandywine student made school history.

The seventh-grader out-spelled 65 other students in a countywide spelling contest, and he was the first Brandywine student to take the prize.

This student was also autistic.

Last year, when Brandon Kirkendall took fourth place in the same competition, I was initially undecided on whether or not we should point out the fact he had the disorder. After thinking it over and discussing the issue, though, we decided that the fact that Brandon is autistic was an integral part of the story, and we ran it.

Less than an hour after posting this year’s story online, multiple people had already asserted that by pointing out Brandon’s autism, we had placed an unnecessary label on the student.

I can’t help but respectfully disagree. In fact, I believe with conviction that Brandon deserved to be recognized for being autistic, because it makes his efforts and his win that much more powerful.

I think too often people find “disability” synonymous with “weakness.” Research shows that people with autism often have one talent that they excel at on a level that surpasses most people who are not autistic.

These qualities range tremendously — some are awesome musicians, others are great bowlers. My good friend Ian Ernsperger is the best illustrator I’ve ever met, and he’s also autistic. During my college internship I worked with an outstanding photographer who also happened to have Asperger’s syndrome. And, like his mother pointed out, Brandon Kirkendall has what she likens to a photographic memory.

This is not to say that autistic people do not experience challenges. I can’t speak to Brandon’s experience, but having spent the majority of my life with Ian and his family, I know there is significant adversity associated with the disease. Autistic people often struggle with schoolwork and understanding specific courses. Some — especially those with Asperger’s syndrome — struggle with empathy and expressing their feelings. Autistic people are sometimes prone to outbursts and have difficulties with understanding social norms.

But don’t these challenges make the triumphs that much more powerful? Should we not recognize the fact that these people have defeated so many other difficulties and succeeded in spite of them? How is pointing out that a person is autistic any different than pointing out that an amputee has completed a marathon, which would be relevant to the story?

Brandon should not have to hide his disease; he should be proud of it. He — and any other person defeating the odds to overcome a so-called disability — deserves to be recognized for his success and the struggle he overcame to achieve it.

Brandon has made his community proud, with or without a disability, and he deserves our congratulations.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.