Poem, Gone Viral, Written By 10yo Autistic Boy, Touches The Heart Of Thousands
Life is full of challenges, and for some of us there are more challenges than for others. One of the great things about life is that you get to be inspired by those who overcome their own obstacles to bring a little sunshine into the daily struggle. This young man is truly inspiring and now thousands around the world know just how special he is.
Benjamin Giroux who has Asperger’s Syndrome wrote the poem on April 7 for class assignment to celebrate National Poetry Month. Fifth grader’s poem titled ‘I am’ gives an inside look into his life with autism. In his touching poem, he writes about feeling ‘out of place’ and ‘like a castaway.” I dream of day that that’s okay. I try to fit in. I hope that some day I do. I am odd, I am new,’ he writes. National Autism Association shared poem on their Facebook page where it has received more than 23,000 ‘likes’ and an outpouring of praise
A 10-year-old New York boy who was given a school assignment ended up touching the hearts of thousands after writing a moving poem that gives an inside look into his life with autism.
Earlier this month, fifth-grader Benjamin Giroux and his fellow classmates at Cumberland Head Elementary were asked to write a poem about themselves to celebrate National Poetry Month.
Benjamin, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, was given the first two words of each sentence for his poem titled ‘I am’ – and his finished product left his parents choked up.
The inspiration of a young boy touches thousands.
After sharing the touching poem on Facebook, the National Autism Association then posted it to their page where it has received more than 23,000 ‘likes’ and an outpouring of praise.
His father, Sonny Giroux, told Daily Mail Online in an email on Monday that Benjamin is ‘deeply touched by all the outpouring support.’
‘We are trying to give him news of his poem in small amounts, as this entire thing can be very overwhelming for him.’
Benjamin’s poem begins: ‘I am odd, I am new.
‘I wonder if you are too. I hear voices in the air. I see you don’t, and that’s not fair.’
He continues, writing about feeling ‘out of place’ and ‘like a castaway.’
‘I dream of day that that’s okay,’ Benjamin writes. ‘I try to fit in. I hope that some day I do. I am odd, I am new.’
‘I’m am so proud of Benjamin for the effort he put into this poem,’ Mr Giroux told Daily Mail Online of his son’s poem, noting when it comes to homework he is not exactly thrilled about doing it.
‘But when he wrote down the first four lines, and had me read them, I told him that it was great and that he could really make something special if he continued to focus.’
