Samir Michael

Samir Michael

My name is Samir Michael and my life is going places. I go to the shops and the beach. My mum loves me and lives nearby. I type on the computer to learn to talk so I can one day talk to my mum.

I am an amazing person who has so much to live for. I grew up in Iraq and survived the horrors of war. My dad was not so lucky but that was long ago. I love the people in my family and they love me. That is the most important part of my life.

Having a friend who cares is like heaven. They see me for who I am and not what I do. I do some crazy things but it is not who I am. Please treat me like anyone else but also help me to be a better person when I get angry.

Trying to be a good person is like trying to climb the highest mountain. I keep going but it is hard work. I need help to know what choices I should make. It is good to share my story so I can teach others about being with people like me.

Samir has autism and is non-verbal. He uses facilitated communication and typed this story on a Qwerty keyboard. He is pictured here with his carer and friend Jutta Zapf-Atkinson.