I’m Autistic. I’m unique. I’m me.
My name is Lucas Gates, I’m 25 years old and I live in Vancouver.
Growing up with autism wasn’t easy, let’s put it that way.
When I was diagnosed before my first grade of elementary school, there was practically no resources to look for, compared to today. I also wasn’t exactly fond of school either; I always held on to the school’s front doors because I didn’t want to go. I didn’t really fit in at times, despite my classmates understanding I was unique and a bit different than the usual class population, but that didn’t stop me from expressing myself later in life.
High school wasn’t great either, especially Grade 8, with a bit of personal and school related issues. In the first part of the year, I had a Teacher Assistant verbally hurl extremely negative remarks at me. I later found out, he was caught doing these abusive acts, and he was tossed out of the district. Around the later part of my first year in high school, I was dealt an enormous blow, with the sudden passing of my grandfather, and being 13 years old and in the midst of a transition in my life, it was hard. In the 13 years I knew my grandfather, he taught me the very important things in life, like not to make public enemies and to always think of the positive sides of life. I know we sure could use this kind of words of wisdom in today’s world, don’t we?
Fast forward a couple of years, in Grade 12, one of my TAs said to me, I would never be able to take the bus, be independent and be self-sufficient. I mentioned to them, “When I’m out, I’m out”. I left those doors as a student for the last time, completely free of the shackles of shame. After 8 years removed from high school, I’m thrilled to finally say that I’m indeed a regular bus and transit user. You should never doubt someone who you think isn’t capable, because those words could haunt you for years to come, and boy, I have never forgotten those words to this day. I’m a reason that you should never put someone down, regardless of ability.
Now, at 25 years old, I have a dogwood certificate, I currently work at the PAFN as an Ambassador in a part-time capacity, and I’m happy. I’m part of the Voices of Autism self-advocate group, working with like-minded individuals to help our community, Autism or not, we’re here in unison. As an older brother of a wonderful sister with Down Syndrome, I know how difficult it is to be accepted in this world, but so far, today’s world has shown amazing progress.
I know there’s a lot to go off about me, but I’m just a person like the rest of the community, but I do feel proud to be an active part of this great movement, whenever as an advocate, VOA or any sort of movement, we’re all in this together for the long haul.
- Lucas Gates
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This is the fifth in an ongoing Vancouver Is Awesome series written by people on the Autism spectrum. View the archive HERE.
