Hey you! The kid with the stuffed animal!
September 27, 2017
Have you ever wondered why that kid in the hallway carries a stuffed animal into his class? Well, that kid is here talking right now.
The kid has been struggling with Autism, a disorder that limits the person diagnosed by limiting their social life, repetitive behaviors, and so on. This kid has been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism.
The kid’s day is very stressful and a rather tragic tale at times. The kid’s mom wakes him up in the morning and gives him medication to help him pull through the day.
The kid then wakes up around 30 minutes later, wanting to not go to school due to struggles with kids laughing and talking about him in a hurtful way.
After getting dressed and throwing on his lanyard with his ID inside, the kid gets driven to school due to being scared of driving himself.
After arriving at school, he goes down to talk with the only friends he can trust who sometimes cannot talk due to working on an assignment. He enjoys talking about funny things and interests.
His day starts at 8:00 a.m. when the bell for class rings for first period, where two of his friends are: one friend very hyper, another rather calm.
He is carrying a stuffed animal at times because it makes him feel safe and helps him cope with stress throughout the school day. After having a struggle with class because he is very unorganized and loses stuff, the bell rings.
He is laughing and talking with the only friends he can, hiding the stress like a normal kid. The PE class approaches and he changes into his gym clothes, still carrying the stuffed animal.
While he paces with the stuffed animal waiting for the teacher, he talks and gives a voice to the plush animal, giving the thing life and feeling happy.
The stuffed animal is mostly a plush of the Pokemon Oshawott and he refers to the plush as Oshy. Gym begins and he can barely bend his spine due to having a stiff back and being worried about bending it too much.
After gym is over and he is dressed back in his normal clothes, the kid proceeds to third period, the only class he’s happy to express his mind in. He is still holding Oshy in his hands.
When fourth period begins, he is very stressed because Oshy is now within the backpack because he is unable to hold it in his hands because his teacher is strict. He does his lesson, barely making it through, not losing his stress when lunch begins and the kid can sigh relief.
He pulls out Oshy when lunch begins and rushes into the lunchroom to grab food to ensure time to eat. Another one of his friends is there to talk with and he is happily smiling and laughing.
Then, after lunch, Oshy goes back in the bag and the stress begins again. But now, he has an extra drink for his medication later on.
The stress builds again and he is very stressed. When the period ends, Oshy is back out of the bag and he goes to the lunchroom again.
His mother is there and gives him another pill to boost his mood to keep him focused. Now, he goes to work cleaning tables in the faculty dining room.
After his job, he is bored and the next two periods are uneventful. Until seventh period.
The kids in seventh period are rude and arrogant to him. He hates this class although he likes it, too.
After the final bell rings, the kid is out of the building and walks to a normal spot where his mother picks him up. When they arrive home, the kid instantly shuts down.
He goes up to the computer room of his house and hops on the computer. He plays it until the end of the day, drowning out anything related to school.
He drowns out any responsibilities because he is trying to cope with that day’s activities. Even though he seems happy online and a bundle of joy, in reality he’s in pain from being alone.
When he feels tired at around 7:00 p.m., he turns on a playlist of Bob Ross and listens to the playlist as he falls asleep on the couch bed in that room. Oshy is at his side while he says his goodnights to his other stuffed animals and falls asleep.
And with that, a day in this autistic kid’s life concludes. A day in the life of me.
Betsy • Nov 29, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Hi, Zack. Thanks for sharing your insight on what a day in your life is like. I’m glad you have some buddies and Oshy to help you get through your day. Excellent writing, keep up the good work!
Jane • Nov 29, 2017 at 9:14 am
Hi Zack,
If you have an IEP, Oshy can be written into it as a coping mechanism. ALL of your teachers would then need to allow you to hold Oshy whenever you need to. Oshy might also be able to be written into a 504 plan if you don’t have an IEP.
Ms. Lojas • Nov 15, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Thanks for your brave and honest reporting. Autism is different for every person with Autism and the more people can read their stories the better the understanding will be. Keep Writing
Jessie Hartless • Oct 11, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Zach,
Thank you for having the courage to share your story! It takes an amazing young man as yourself to be a voice for others who have autism. Always be proud of who you are and continue to educate others by sharing your story. Know you make a difference in this world!
Mime • Oct 11, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Zack you have made great strides over the years. Mom and I are so proud of you. This article and you other one are very informative. Keep up the great work.
Julie Jamo • Oct 11, 2017 at 8:20 am
Zack ~ Thank you for writing and sharing this article. You did an outstanding job – as I read, I felt your struggles. Kudos to you for being so brave and sharing this. I am sure this article has educated many people on the daily struggles that you and others with Autusm go through on a daily basis.
It sounds like you are surrounded by family, teachers and friends that are guiding you to be the best you can be – keep fighting Zach! You seem to be one amazing kid and I feel you will do great things in your future!
Laura • Oct 11, 2017 at 8:00 am
Zack, Thanks for writing this article and sharing a day of your life with us. My favorite uncle was on the spectrum of autism. We were more like cousins because he was only a few years older. We had so many great times together! He passed away 2 years ago and I miss him so much. Again, Thanks for sharing!
Christine • Oct 10, 2017 at 10:31 pm
Zacky this is beautifully written! We are so proud of you every day!! Hopefully all the kids have read this and will be more kind. Stay strong buddy! Love you!!
Jacki Malkowski • Oct 10, 2017 at 9:39 pm
Outstanding! Zack, thank you! You see my son Zach is autistic too. You and him are a lot alike. Keep writing, keep expressing your self, BE YOUR SELF! In the simplest form, you so eloquently put into words your thought and feelings. That is the bravest thing anyone can ever do!
Team Z!!
Jacki Prevatt Malkowski • Oct 10, 2017 at 9:16 pm
Zack,
I am in awe! You are, my son Zach is on the autism spectrum as well. You so eloquently, truthfully, and in its simplest form described to me how my Zach feels. I thank you! PLEASE keep writing, keep expressing your self. You are bringing awareness to those who “don’t know” those who, well, won ‘t let you have your stuff animal. Z TEAM
Jacki
Zackary Schejbal • Oct 10, 2017 at 10:22 am
I would just like to say to all of those who have posted to this and viewed this article that I am very happy and especially moved knowing that people would take time out of their busy days and post their stories and thoughts on an article. We hit over 300 views and I am deeply and beyond words to describe my gratitude for this! I love reading the stories you all post and it makes me more and more confident every day. Thank you!
Julie Procich • Oct 8, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Zach, thanks for sharing your story. You have given a great description of your day, and the things that you feel and think that others are not aware of. It was brave of you to open up like this. I’m sure going to include you in my prayers tonight! Keep fighting. Sometimes, being different thank other people makes you more special. It’s easy to follow the crowd. It’s more rewarding to be your own person. Keep going Zach!!!!
Diane • Oct 8, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Very enlightening article Zack. My son David had ADHD and Tourette syndrome and kids made it very hard for him to attend school. He dropped out when he was 16. Don’t give up, stand tall, be proud of who you are and I promise you things will get better.
Samantha Lutz • Oct 8, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Wow! Thank you Zack for giving all of us a glimpse into a day of your life. I’m so happy that you found Oshy to help calm you. Hold him tightly! For every rude, ignorant and arrogant person out there, there is a patient and understanding one. Keep writing! You are so articulate! Keep trying to make them ALL understand using your writing talents!
Grace • Oct 4, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Wow.. this was very insightful, it really opened my eyes. I have you in my gym period although we don’t speak, I see you and oshy most days. I never really understood why you carried him and I had no idea who you were until now. Stay strong you seem like a great person 🙂
Jen Donnamario • Sep 28, 2017 at 7:31 pm
That was very enlightening, Zachary! I am so proud of you for letting down your guard. Hold your head high! Your Mom is the very best & so are you!
Julie Nelson • Sep 28, 2017 at 4:07 pm
Zach, I was captivated as I read your article. I am a Mom of two kids. They do not have Autism and I do not know much about it at all. This gave me an amazing look into your life. I wish you much joy.
Mrs. Delzotti • Sep 28, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Zach, thank you for always providing helpful insights into the triumphs and struggles of a person on the Spectrum of Autism. You are an amazing young man who has a lot to offer the world.
Mrs. D
Ella Riseman • Sep 28, 2017 at 1:18 pm
This was a really powerful article. Probably one of the best articles I’ve ever read. Stay strong!
Pat • Sep 28, 2017 at 10:48 am
Wonderful writing Zack. Your Mom should send this to the Autisum Fondation. Great job Zack. Love u so much
Zackary Schejbal • Sep 28, 2017 at 10:47 am
I really enjoy those who read this! If it’s alright to ask, can you leave a comment on your thoughts of this article? It mean a lot to me to see what you feel about this.