When you think of April, you probably think of April Fools’ Day, spring (hopefully), Easter, or Passover, if you’re like my family and celebrate that.

But, to me and my family, one other thing makes April special: Autism Awareness Month.

Autism Awareness Month is used to promote awareness and acceptance of autism and to draw attention to both those diagnosed and those facing an autism diagnosis each year. In 2018, about one in every 59 children were diagnosed with autism.

You see, my older brother, Mark, has autism. He was diagnosed when he was 3 and, at 28 years old, he’s never let it stop him. He can’t talk, but he can communicate with people pretty easily once he knows them. He likes cars, movies, playing on his iPad, watching Youtube videos, swimming, and bowling.

When we were kids, I never understood why I had a brother with autism. I thought it wasn’t fair to him, but, as I got older, I started to understand, and I can honestly say at 25 years old that I’m lucky to have a brother with autism.

Mark has taught me more in life than anyone else. I’ve learned that people with special needs are the coolest people out there and that Mark and other people with special needs can do anything they set their minds to. I’ve also learned that there’s nothing wrong with people who have autism or any other special need, because it never holds them back from what they want to do in life.

We all can learn from people who have autism or other forms of special needs. I’ve learned a lot from Mark. The most important thing I’ve learned from him is to enjoy life to the fullest and not care about what other people are thinking.

Mark is the reason our older sister, Megan, is a special education teacher and also the main reason why she aced all her special education teacher courses at college.

Here’s my favorite Mark story that I want to share: My home town, Clarkston, hosts a summer camp for kids and adults with special needs called SCAMP Camp. I worked there for about 10 summers, while Mark has gone his entire life. I never was called “Julie.” I was always called “Mark’s sister,” because Mark was so popular and everyone knew him. I don’t think anyone besides the group of kids with whom I worked directly knew what my actual name was, and I was OK with that.

Mark is part of a bowling group with other adults who have special needs. They bowl for two hours every Saturday. I don’t mean to brag, but Mark’s pretty good, always bowling between 100 and 140, sometimes more, if he gets on a roll. The best part about going and watching him and the others bowl is seeing them high-five one another after they get strikes or spares.

Mark’s always excited when his sisters get to come home and visit him at his apartment, even if it’s just for a short time. He’s always down to go out and get some ice cream, take a selfie to send to our grandparents, or go to our parents’ house and swim in their pool.

Mark isn’t just my older brother, he’s also my hero. Even though he drove me nuts when we were kids, I wouldn’t change a thing about him because he’s awesome. He’s honestly the best big brother I could ask for.

Every person has a different story to tell. Having a brother with autism is awesome and I’m very happy that I can say that Mark is my brother.

Julie Goldberg covers education for The News. She can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.