Dillan said, “I so believe that there is so much more each one of us can do for other people.” Thank you for already doing so much.
Dillan Barmache’s Commencement Speech
“Hello, my name is Dillan Barmache.
“When I examine each day, it’s just incredible how a student, an autistic one, could ever feel a part of a class of future academics. Education is a better institution when all students have opportunity, plus a chance to take an idea and see the lessons within. With your mind, no one can place limits on where an idea can take you. Living without a voice creates almost no way to be heard, but there are people who refuse to think in a box. Open your mind in high school. You will learn to think about different ideas, and examine new findings. Always look inside other peoples experience in order to gain another perspective outside of books. Only then are we able to start opening our eyes to the amazing things around us. I so believe that there is so much more each one of us can do for other people, causes, and fields of study. I know too that the thought of high school is daunting, and also exciting. We will be challenged to think for ourselves as we live each day out. Part of education is showing what we have learned, so then tests measure our ability to learn, and are necessary. However, another measure of learning often seems based on insight and guidance. Insight is a guide that separates our knowledge into what we are taught and what we are capable of doing. Take a chance to experience your education in a meaningful way, and think outside the box, into yourselves. Insight always leads to truths that an individual either chooses to accept or not. Always consider looking to your own insight and seeking another viewpoint. We are the reality of our thinking life and are capable of so much if we just open our minds.”
Dillan’s mom Tami Barmache told ABC 7 Los Angeles “We all want to share who we are, we all want to share our thoughts and ideas and questions and worries, and I think every individual has that right.”
Watch the video below.
Inclusion, understanding, acceptance, thinking differently; everyone can contribute the right way just has to be found.
What a great speech! Even though he cannot speak, he is a much better wordsmith than many verbal neurotypicals I know. I love his puch towards inclusion and the message of achieving more by opening our minds. I have indeed found that to be quite true for me, even now. He proves that non-verbal people with autism can speak for themselves.
Dillan Barmache, a 14 year old student with autism, delivers his powerful 8th grade commencement speech using his iPad and brings the crowd to their feet. – See more at: http://ollibean.org/2014/06/13/importance-opportunity/#sthash.lvUBywq8.dpuf
Dreams do come true.
Beautiful!!