Inspired

Life With A Disorder

Au-tis-tic //adj,// of or having an emotional disorder in which there is little or no interest in or involvement with the people or things around one (according to Webster’s Dictionary). On July 27, 1995, my sister was born with an unfortunate disorder that would affect her throughout her whole life. My family and I watched over Rylee Reann Howell, completely unaware she was fighting Autism since the day she was born. It wasn’t until Rylee was three years old, my family and I started to notice strange behavior from her. My sister’s behavior became very repetitive, compulsive, and also restricted. All of her toys and objects were always arranged in lines and the toys were placed an equivalent distance away from each other. Television shows, toys, games, and dolls became Rylee’s main interest and focus which caused her to distance herself from the “outside world.”

My parents made the decision to take Rylee to the doctor’s office to get her examined since her actions were so much different compared to how I acted as a toddler. Various tests were performed on Rylee by many doctors through out the country. When Rylee was four years old, the results came back saying that she was officially diagnosed with Autism. At the time, I was only six years old and I didn’t understand why my sister was spending so much time away from home and I was getting to see her less and less. As my parents would open up the cupboards in our kitchen, I would see a chain of medication Rylee was given to see if it could stop or reduce her abnormal behavior. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.

Occupational therapists would drive out to our house and work with Rylee for up to 40 hours a week so she could learn her basic skills. One of her major challenges that she was able to conquer over a long period of time was learning how to hold her pencil correctly. Holding a pencil is such an effortless task for most individuals, but for Rylee, it was very complicated and provoking. Countless hours were also spent teaching her how to read, write, and work on her mathematical skills. Every so often, I would be asked to sit in on one of my sister’s therapy sessions to make sure she could still learn and concentrate even when I was in the room. Rylee immediately became my inspiration because I saw her achieve tasks, I didn’t know she was able to do. Every work session, Rylee made vast improvements and continued to amaze my family and I.

Currently, Rylee is a sophomore here atWashington High School where she is engaging herself in various activities. Occupational Therapists are still playing an enormous role in Rylee’s life by coming to our house four to five times a week to help her progress in any activities she is still uncomfortable with. Since the beginning of last summer, Rylee has learned how to tie her shoes, make herself breakfast and lunch, snorkel, and also ride her bike. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Rylee won’t accomplish everything she puts her mind to.

As a reward to Rylee for all of her accomplishments, hard work, and elongated hours she puts in at school and therapy, our family enjoys traveling to a few places that mean a lot to Rylee. Three and a half hours away, my family has a farm not far from Aberdeen. It’s a place we go to sit back, settle down, and enjoy everyone’s company. My dad and I like to go out hunting at the break of dawn and come back to the farm at roughly seven at night. In the meantime, my mom and sister like to stay indoors and watch movies, bake, play games, and even do a puzzle. A different place we like to travel to is our lake cabin at Lake Pickerel. Fascinated by all of the open water, Rylee found a new love for tubing and knee-boarding. Our days at the lake consist of jetski rides, a lot of tubing, knee-boarding, wake-boarding, and a campfire to end a wonderful day. Our final vacation spot that we like to go to is at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Rylee was only three years old when she was able to go to Disney World for the first time and meet all of the Disney princesses and characters. She was ecstatic, thrilled, and had the largest grin on her face the entire time. Disney World had changed Rylee’s life for the best and our family has sacrificed so many things so we could go back to Florida every year, occasionally twice a year. Each and every one of the places we have visited have provided us with numerous memories that will never be forgotten.

All in all, I could not imagine my life without Rylee. She has been my inspiration, motivation, and provides me with so much hope. Rylee has made me realize how fortunate I am to have her as my sister because without her, I know I would not be thankful for many of the things I am given. When I look at Rylee, I know that anything is possible. All you have to do is believe.