Teens Find Strength in Each Other

For two local teens, as with many others across our country, life consists of more than cramming for tests and spending weekends with friends. There are long stays in hospitals, rejection from peers, medicine to keep track of, and worst of all, a childhood unlike any other. From autism to the terminal illness of leukemia, life differs greatly for these teens suffering with life-altering diseases.

Thirteen year old Timmy is a sufferer of autism, a lifelong brain disorder that affects communication and social interaction. Ever since diagnosed at age four, what is sometimes referred to as the “geek disease” has tampered Timmy’s everyday life. His neighbor, Jenny, was diagnosed with leukemia, cancer of the blood, just a year ago and is in the thick of the battle for her own life. “We’re best friends.” She says. “We have to be, we only have each other. Nobody wants to be friends with the sick kids.”

For both teens, nearly everyday is a struggle. Timmy deals with being made fun of, random temper tantrums he cannot control, and being the social outcast of the school. “Everybody knows him” states Timmy’s mother. “But they know him for the wrong reasons. They know him as the autistic child; the kid to pick on. They do not know the outgoing, fun, very intelligent Timmy that Jenny and I know and love.” Jenny, on the other hand, has a different fight on her hands; the one for her life. Three months into radiation therapy, her hair is gone, body worn out, and her health going down, but her spirits are up. “I don’t know what the future holds for me except more chemo [therapy] and more pain. But I cannot live my life based on that. A positive attitude always helps bad situations.”

Through both of their struggles, Timmy and Jenny have found comfort in themselves, and in each other, to cope with their illnesses. “Timmy doesn’t say much; he can’t. But I know him and he says what he needs to and I know that he cares about me, as I care about him.” A lot of time spent between the two is merely laughter and enjoyment; a way to take their minds off of their lives. Many nights after Timmy gets home from a tough day at school and radiation is over for Jenny, the two share their time talking about their days, usually more Jenny than Timmy. “He laughs and smiles and says a few things but I know what type of day he has had. We communicate well. The best day is when Timmy chimes in about a special girl that he likes. But it’s sad, he doesn’t know how to express his feelings and talk to her, that’s what hard for me. He’s a six year old trapped inside of thirteen year old body. I know he’s a little different, but other people think he is an alien.” Jumping in unexpectedly, showing his real self, Timmy shouted “Yea, I have Jenny, we like each other” and then he blushed and put his head down, “I hope she beats her cancer, I need her”. A tear streamed down Jenny’s cheek.