Dear John,

April is Autism Acceptance Month. This month has always been important to me and my family because of my brother Christopher who has autism. I know you often hear from me in these emails, but today, I wanted to give Christopher a chance to share his own perspective. He primarily types to communicate.

I’ll let his words speak for themselves but I’ll just add this: Protecting Medicaid and home- and community-based services (HCBS) is one of the best things we can do to support autistic people in living their best lives.

You can take action now to protect Medicaid and other federal care programs >>

My name is Chris Jorwic and I am autistic. Autism Acceptance Month is an important time to talk about what we still need to do to help people like me. I am 33 and I live in Elmhurst, Illinois. I am lucky to have Medicaid HCBS in a state that has a 15,000 person waiting list. 

Nobody should be without the support they need. To me, those supports are my life boat. 

It pays for workers to get me out of my house, and therapies to get me out of my head. I go with staff to volunteer, be out in the community, and some staff can support me in my communication. Obviously, I don’t use my voice to speak, but staff help to make sure I can express my needs and wants. 

I worry about those who don’t have people in their life that understand that every behavior is a form of communication. Where do they go? 

I have gone through very dark times, when I almost gave up, but the services I needed were there so I can make progress, communicate and be the independent man and strong advocate, and uncle I want to be. It also means my mom and dad get a break and that Coley, Luke and Shell don't have to worry about my future. When I move in with one of them, the supports come too. That gives me peace of mind. It’s something all my brothers and sisters in disability should have. 

Medicaid HCBS matters because it is the lifeline for people like me. We must be sure it is available to anybody who needs it, and we must support the workers who make it all possible.

With care,

Christopher and Nicole (Coley) Jorwic, on behalf of Caring Across Generations