9th Annual Best Time Ever Contest Winner

The Best Time I Ever Spent with AJ

The best time I had ever spent with AJ was last summer. Our entire family had driven down to the Milwaukee State Fair Park to do a charity walk for Autism Speaks. Not only were we doing this for fun, but we were doing it for him. AJ, my cousin, has Autism.

 AJ isn’t my biological cousin. He’s my step-father’s nephew, making him my step cousin. But despite that, I loved him all the same; everyone did. AJ, like millions of other kids, has Autism. AJ’s Autism is well managed, but he still needs intensive care every now & then. He doesn’t like the dark or very loud noises, and chaos easily upsets him. However, his reading level is far beyond his age, and he has an almost photographic memory.

AJ was shy around me at first. But he absolutely adores it when people reward or congradulate him. Coincidentaly, the same day of the Autism walk was on the same day as his birthday. Remember this, I hugged him & told him happy birthday. He was extatic. 
     
“You remembered my birthday?!” he exclaimed. I told him I would never forget his birthday. But for some reason, he felt honored for having someone remember his birthday.
     
After I said that, he wanted to do everything with me. He asked if we could walk together, and I said of course.
     
As we started walking, a large crowd began to form around us. AJ was starting to become frightened, so I told him to tell me a story to distract him. He began reciting stories from memory. 
     
As we neared the finish line, AJ wanted to tell me a secret. He whispered, “I love you more than Spongebob.” 
     
Finally, when we finished, I asked AJ if he had fun. In a booming voice, he shouted, “THIS WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!” And I strongly agreed.

  
Elizabeth Snellings
Age 13
Sherman Middle School
Madison, Wisconsin
Parents: Rhonda & Mark Gaudreau
Father: Bill Snellings
    

 2010 Best Time Ever Booklet