OK, so this isn't my personal success, but I'm so very proud that I had to share.
My youngest son is 13, nearly 14, and has Aspergers Syndrome (an autistic spectrum disorder). He has recently found a love for music and, being an Aspie, has immersed himself in his favourite bands obsessively. He has started playing the guitar, and only a couple of months ago started having lessons with a guitar teacher based at his school. He has issues with confidence and communication, amongst other things, so just taking lessons has been a big step for him, one of which we are very proud indeed.
Tonight there was a little concert at his school, where kids who are learning instruments and singing performed. To our amazement, our son said he wanted to be in it. So we went along tonight - it was a lovely summer evening so it was outdoors which helped the atmosphere to be relaxed.
Now I've heard A. practising the guitar, and I was fully expecting to be embarrassed for him as he stumbled through his piece, and I was prepared to make all the right noises afterwards. Waiting his turn to perform, he looked nervous and had his closed-in, Aspergers look about him.
And then he came to perform. In contrast to most of the other kids who did feelgood singalong kind of numbers, A. did a quiet, meditative song by the band Radiohead (his favourite band). First shock - he didn't just play it, he sang! Now I have never heard him sing before, had no idea he could .... and he sang well, quietly but hitting all the notes, and with emotion. His guitar playing was bang-on as well. No mistakes at all. A. really seemed to get inside the song, to perform it. I was blown away, amazed. This was his first time playing or singing for an audience. I just feel so proud.
I have been playing the guitar, on and off, for nearly 30 years, and I have never played for an audience, and I doubt that I will ever do so. And here is my son, with his particular personality, playing and singing when he has only been learning for a matter of weeks. I just feel so proud of him and his courage.
