An open letter to my brother: Autism doesn’t define you
Charity Nolff
My dearest brother,
I was there when you were born, and I was the one to whom you took your first steps.
I was also one of the first to find out you had autism at the age of 3. It never stopped you.
I remember when you were an infant and all those childish babbles would make us laugh, until they didn’t stop. With the help of speech class, that mom and I took you to, you thrived and began speaking at 5.
In addition, you started to become especially picky with your choice of food at that age. First, all you would eat was chips, then it graduated to plain cut up hot dogs, and, finally, it stopped at Crazy Bread from Little Caesars.
Senior Charity Nolff (l to r) takes a selfie of her brother Logan and sister Alivia after school. Nolff said her siblings always fall asleep in the car after school.
Then you began your first year of school. It was hard for you, having to repeat kindergarten. It broke your heart. We assured you that getting held back wouldn’t define you as a person; you just needed extra help.
You thrived in school as well, an astonishing sight to see. You understood what autism was and never missed the chance to educate someone about it.
“I have autism, that means I’m special,” was a familiar quote we often heard from you.
Children at school started to notice you were different and picked on you for it. Seeing you so upset and wondering why these kids would bully you, broke my heart.
I reminded you that you are indeed special and no one could take that away from you. You learned to stick up for yourself and made an amount of friends that would be too difficult for even me to accomplish.
You absolutely love to jam out to rock music, watch gaming videos, and play outside.
You became obsessed with politics and insisted that Donald Trump was a “very bad man.” You said that one day you would either be the president or a police officer; I can honestly say that I believe you can do it.
You can do anything you set your mind to, believe me I’ve seen it. For heaven’s sake, you learned to do a front flip on the trampoline in a matter of two days without hesitation.
Your want for independence just shows that you can thrive in life and live beautifully.
Logan Paul Nolff, you are an amazing and courageous person, and it will pay off for you and, more importantly, your future.
I love you with my entire heart, and I hope you know that you are one of the most impeccable people I’ve ever met.
XOXO
Birthday: March 13, 2000
Extracurricular activities: Cheer and newspaper.
Hobbies: Ukulele, painting, drawing, reading, writing, chilling with...
Jason Hazlett Sr • May 5, 2018 at 7:52 pm
You wrote from the heart charity, I’m very proud of the young adult you are be coming, always take up and speak good of family always.. Once again very proud of you
Sierra King • May 4, 2018 at 12:35 pm
This is such a wonderful letter Charity. My son is also autistic and we have been through the same battles. As a mother, it can be hard to help my son overcome hard times with out breaking down myself. To see a young woman take that challenge on to uplift her brother and reassure him that his support group is always there warms my heart. They say it takes a village to raise a child and you are definitely a huge part of his village. Iām sure he looks up to you and always will. Your a wonderful young woman and will do great things in this world. Best of luck to you.
Charity Nolff • May 8, 2018 at 11:20 am
Thank you so much. Your comment warmed my heart. I appreciate all of your kind words.
Donna Alfaro • May 3, 2018 at 7:10 pm
You’ve grown up to be quite the young woman! Logan is lucky to have you. Never stop advocating š
Haley Peters • May 3, 2018 at 11:51 am
I love this so much Charity. It really hit me in the feels. Your brother sounds like an impeccable human being. Your bond with your brother sounds amazing and I hope he makes all of his dreams come true.