Writer Faith Jegede tells the moving and funny story of growing up
with her two brothers, both autistic — and both extraordinary. In this talk
from the TED Talent Search, she reminds us to pursue a life beyond what is
normal. She draws on her experiences growing up with two autistic brothers in
order to spread awareness and understanding about this increasingly common
diagnosis.
Faith Jegede Cole is a British writer, speaker and
researcher. She is passionate about the power of storytelling and its ability
to shift mindsets. Her TED Talk titled "What I’ve learned from my autistic
brothers" has been viewed over a million times and has warmed the hearts
of families impacted by autism.
Faith is currently
pursuing her PhD in Communication at American University. She has spent the last
three years studying identity, reputation and privacy in the world of online
communication. Her research specifically explores the tensions between online
visibility and online vulnerability that are experienced when seeking to create
positive changes in society.
Excerpts from Transcript
Today I have just one request. Please don't tell me I'm normal.
…..
… most people don't agree. And in fact, because their minds
don't fit into society's version of normal, they're often bypassed and
misunderstood.
But what lifted my heart and
strengthened my soul was that even though this was the case, although they were not seen as
ordinary, this could only mean one thing: that they were extraordinary — autistic and extraordinary.
…
And if I could communicate just
one thing to Remi and to Sam and to you, it would be that you don't have to be normal. You can be extraordinary. Because autistic or not, the differences that we have — We've got a gift! Everyone's got a
gift inside of us, and in all honesty, the pursuit of normality is the ultimate sacrifice of
potential. The chance for greatness, for progress and for change dies the moment we try to be like
someone else.
Please — don't tell me I'm normal. Thank you.
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