Let's Dream Beyond Limits

This week’s poem comes from Mark and Max Eati, who presented on “Thriving Together: Co-Creating Neurodivergent Spaces of Care and Support” at last week’s Autistic Community Summit hosted by the Autism Society of Minnesota.

Let’s Dream Beyond Limits 


I walked bravely 
Bravely 
Bravely 
Into AuSM’s Autistic Community Summit 
To speak about how to thrive together 
In co-created neurodivergent spaces 
A much needed discussion 
As legislation has been rapidly changing 

My brain shut down
Eyes teared up 
As the summit agenda
Flashed in front of my face
I was mad at first 
That we are meeting to save our future 
Instead of celebrating our growth 
I wished we were instead collaborating 
On how to broaden our lives 
Broaden, yes - broaden 

Imagine a day when services are bleak
And it’s too late to advocate for survival 
Friends, now is the time 
It’s never too late 
To join hands, to care, to co-create
We are living on a land shaped by ancestors 
Who held on to each other 
When systems failed them 
We carry that same power 
That same fire
To stand up as a community 

Let us build the spaces 
That legislation forgot to imagine 
Spaces where neurodivergent brilliance 
Is not squeezed into depression 
Where we decide together 
What care means 

For thriving is not a luxury - 
it is our right 
And co-creation is not optional - 
It is our survival 

Let us dream boldly 
Act gently, yet fiercely 
Step by step, voice by voice 
We walk bravely, even now 
Towards a future we will build together.