the cutler family … [portrait session]

Today is Communication Shutdown day. The aim: to raise funds and awareness for autism by taking 24 hours off Facebook and Twitter.

I don’t think silence does much to help any cause, so I’m not participating. Instead, I’m using today to talk about autism. I’m not alone, either 🙂

My knowledge of autism isn’t particularly extensive. It’s based almost exclusively on watching The Black Balloon, and spending an hour with the Cutler family.

That said, I learned more from an hour with this beautiful family than they might have realised.

I learned that autism can be hilarious. Example: every time I turned my camera from horizontal to vertical orientation, Matthew turned his head to match! It was logical, hilarious and impossible, all at once 😀

I learned that children can be selfless. Zachary and Emma already make sacrifices to accommodate their big brother’s needs, and many more will be required of them. I’m sure they find it hard sometimes, and they’ll struggle even more in future years. But there’s a lot of love between these three, and it shows.

I also learned that courage can be chosen. Matthew was about 2 years old when Nicole and Craig found out that he had autism. I can’t imagine how profound the impact of that news must have been, nor how difficult their journey has been since, but the courage and resolve with which they’ve continued to build their family is inspiring.

Thanks, Nicole, for allowing me to share these 🙂