Today is the last day of Autism Awareness Month, and many emotions are rushing through me.

I started this Awareness Month here on shsleaf.org last year after being inspired by learning about Autism in my Psychology class and watching “Temple Grandin” in class.

Throughout this month, I hope all of us have seen in a new light how truly special and valuable those with Autism are.

This past month, I hope as a society our perspective is beginning to shift. Instead of seeing the disabilities of those with Autism, we are able to see their abilities.

Kevin Schaewe, an SHS graduate who passed away in 2018, was a prime example of this. Schaewe had Autism, but that was only one piece of the person he was.

Schaewe has been described multiple times as a great friend, a loving, kind person, and having a “sixth sense,” being able to tell when someone was upset or frustrated and comforted them.

Of course, Schaewe was also humorous and was known for stealing others’ Skyline.

Schaewe is the perfect example of what Autism Awareness Month at SHS is all about— showing that Autism is a part of an individual’s life, but not letting it define them.

Schaewe is not known for his Autism but rather is known for the fact that he was a great friend, loved life and cared about others above all else.

Moving on from Autism Awareness Month, I hope that each of us looks at one another with an aspect of curiosity, hoping to learn from one another despite our differences.

All of us are different one way or another, but at the end of the day, we are all human.

To read Kevin Schaewe’s story, click here and check out pages 10 and 11.