07-04-2006, 08:50 AM
“My full name is Douglas Jeffery Emerson Gilder,” the 14-year-old says, readjusting his red ball cap and then straightening his glasses and then taking a seat in the red bleachers at Ames High School, which is located exactly 1.74 miles from the hub of the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games. “Next question, please.”
But before anyone can pick a topic, Gilder picks it himself.
“Let me tell you my story,” says the 14-year-old from Paradis, La.
Sept. 23, 1991: Gilder is born in Oberlin, Louisiana.
1994: Gilder is officially diagnosed with autism, which explains all of the temper tantrums he would throw anytime it got too loud.
1997: Gilder is adopted — “That’s when I became Gilder.”
2000: Gilder becomes involved with Special Olympics — “My mother wanted opportunities for me, as I have autism.”
July 3, 2006, 2:43 p.m.: Gilder waits to compete in track and field events — “I am doing the 100 meter, the 200 meter and running long. I will be doing it 'Jesse Owens style.’”
And Gilder says he likes participating in the games. He likes it because he can: 1) meet new people, 2) collect metal pins from other teams, 3) learn the “Special Olympics philosophy.”
Being an athlete is fun, but Gilder would rather be an actor — just like Sir Laurence Olivier.
“He is the most talented actor ever,” Gilder said.
But, then again, perhaps he will be a writer when he grows up — just like Truman Capote.
“My mother said I have a talent for writing,” he said. “I am a very talented writer.”
And when it comes to autism, there is a lot people do not know.
“People should know everything about autism,” Gilder says.
And if people don’t take the time to find out that an estimated 1 million to 1.5 million Americans have autism or that it is the fastest-growing development disability or that autism has varying levels of severity or any of those other facts and statistics listed on the Autism Society of America’s Web site, Gilder says they should at least know that people with autism contribute to the world in incredible ways.
Gilder is convinced Albert Einstein was autistic.
“God sent autism for a reason,” Gilder says, again readjusting his red baseball cap and then straightening his glasses. “They can really change the world.”
By JENNA JOHNSON from desmoinesregister.com
But before anyone can pick a topic, Gilder picks it himself.
“Let me tell you my story,” says the 14-year-old from Paradis, La.
Sept. 23, 1991: Gilder is born in Oberlin, Louisiana.
1994: Gilder is officially diagnosed with autism, which explains all of the temper tantrums he would throw anytime it got too loud.
1997: Gilder is adopted — “That’s when I became Gilder.”
2000: Gilder becomes involved with Special Olympics — “My mother wanted opportunities for me, as I have autism.”
July 3, 2006, 2:43 p.m.: Gilder waits to compete in track and field events — “I am doing the 100 meter, the 200 meter and running long. I will be doing it 'Jesse Owens style.’”
And Gilder says he likes participating in the games. He likes it because he can: 1) meet new people, 2) collect metal pins from other teams, 3) learn the “Special Olympics philosophy.”
Being an athlete is fun, but Gilder would rather be an actor — just like Sir Laurence Olivier.
“He is the most talented actor ever,” Gilder said.
But, then again, perhaps he will be a writer when he grows up — just like Truman Capote.
“My mother said I have a talent for writing,” he said. “I am a very talented writer.”
And when it comes to autism, there is a lot people do not know.
“People should know everything about autism,” Gilder says.
And if people don’t take the time to find out that an estimated 1 million to 1.5 million Americans have autism or that it is the fastest-growing development disability or that autism has varying levels of severity or any of those other facts and statistics listed on the Autism Society of America’s Web site, Gilder says they should at least know that people with autism contribute to the world in incredible ways.
Gilder is convinced Albert Einstein was autistic.
“God sent autism for a reason,” Gilder says, again readjusting his red baseball cap and then straightening his glasses. “They can really change the world.”
By JENNA JOHNSON from desmoinesregister.com