NEURODIVERGENT YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD

(Swarit won the Neurodivergent 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 award in London on September 28 2023, for overcoming extreme odds to create a meaningful difference.𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 are the largest awards in the world that focus solely on the neurodiversity community and their allies and receive nominations from across the globe in multiple categories. Swarit was only one of 2 nonspeaker finalists across all categories.)

I often have wondered about nonspeakers having lives that are somehow perceived as meaningful and worthy. I have just had minor dreams of what that recognition would look like. Who would be there, what would be said, how would it all unfold.

I thought that day was way far out for me personally but was hoping to participate in something that was a celebration of pushing the limits. I witnessed an incredible batch of my seniors graduating high school, the first of a kind. I read about Elizabeth Bonker and her commencement speech that put a nonspeaker on a world stage. And other,very worthy accomplishments.

What I have done seems insignificant in comparison. And yet the dream team that are my parents and the reservoir of love and acceptance that are the people that read my posts have catapulted me into the recipient of an award that had several other incredible achievers being nominated. The nomination video made me dizzy with inspiration.

The night was beyond my wildest dreams and the collective achievements of everyone that was celebrated was as bright as the sun that was setting at that time and the other stars that were lighting up the night sky. My family and I felt so much love in a foreign country that the people in that room felt like those we had known for a long time. The connection was instantaneous.

It was very meaningful for me to follow Elizabeth Bonker as an award recipient on that night. I have a long way to go in body, mind and spirit but I am grateful for the opportunities to talk about our tribe to the world. That cannot and does not need to wait. More power to other voices that stretch limits of possibilities.

Swarit Gopalan

About the Author

I am an 11-yr old autistic, nonspeaker that uses letterboard to spell/keyboard to type to communicate.I live with my family in Florida and go to Invictus Academy for school.  I find a lot of solace in expressing myself through poetry. Music and nature also help me stay in the present, there is nothing better for me than to have my movement create a symphony with nature and to truly enjoy the sights and sounds. Living in harmony with nature is my life’s mission. 

Right from the time of diagnosis, we are only told about all things we cannot or will not be able to do. Along with the check that is written to the doctor for the diagnosis, it often feels like our agency is written off too, especially without a reliable communication mechanism.   

Time to change the paradigm with more non speaker voices. It has always been a dream to share my thoughts and perspectives with the world so that I can be one of the catalysts to creating a better understanding of non speakers in general.  My hope is that my words will help change the world from sympathy and pity for those like me to one of deeper understanding of our lives and allyship to ensure our rights.