Zoom Autism Magazine Summer 2015 (Issue 4) | Page 22

ZOOM IN I was Brave! We Had a Plan BY CONNER CUMMINGS I t’s me, Conner. The other night I was scared, really scared, but I put my fear in the back of me, and I told myself that I can do this. I said to myself, “Mom needs me, mom believes in me and mom taught me what to do.” I did what was in the plan. Here is what happened. “ her a few ice cubes in my hand that she held on her thumb. I knew if the neighbors were not home to call 911. I have a script, and I know what to say as we have practiced with them. I did good in practice, but this was not the same. This time my heart hurt and my eyes were watered. It was real. Our friends stayed with us and brought crackers and Sprite ice in a bag and a towel that I got and medicine until Mommy could see again. Then Mom and I stayed in the basement to watch a Disney movie because nothing can make us feel better than a Disney movie. Mom said for me to choose, and I chose Dumbo. Dumbo is about a mom and her son who together make a difference. “ I did good in practice, but this was not the same. This time my heart hurt and my eyes were watered. It was real. ” I put my fear in the back of me, and I told myself that Mom and I went to the basement to put blow-up beds away and get my stuff back out. Mom went to move a wood table that was at a wall, and the wall with a big wood phone on it fell on my mom. Mom pushed me away and put her hand up, and we heard a noise that came from her thumb. She was saying, “Okay. My thumb really hurts. I cannot see,” and then she fell to the ground. She told me, “I am okay, Conner. You are doing good. You need to go into our emergency plan. You can do this. You know it, and Mom is so proud of you.” I can do this. I ran upstairs and got my phone. I called our two neighbors. One I left a good message and one answered. I used words. That was hard because my heart was pounding and where were my words? Then I thought about the plan, and I used the script. I ran and left the door open and came back to my mom. We got her in a chair, and she still could not see, but she kept telling me she loved me and how proud she was of me and even if she cannot say it I will feel it and that I should keep following the plan. I brought 24 ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses ” Well, the movie worked as I felt better and Mom said she felt better too. I helped Mom upstairs to her bed. I sat by my mom until it was my bedtime. I was brave! Mom says I was her hero. We had an emergency plan that I followed. Do you have one? Because you should. Conner Cummings is a 22 year old autistic advocate who most recently passed a bill in the state of Virginia where a law was named after him… Conner’s Law. In addition, Conner has a passion for Disney, photography, ice skating, writing and piano. Conner writes in his popular Facebook page Conquer for Conner. ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses 25