“Simply gazing at the uniqueness of my son brings about so many differing emotions.”
My name is Kapil Sharma and I am an employment specialist for people with disabilities. More importantly I am a father to a child with autism.
My oldest son, Lukah, has autism and is therefore neurodiverse.
I entered vocationally the disability world in order to try to make sense of the journey my son may go on in his life. I wanted to taste future programs and realities he may face. The hope would be that he will some some how be better helped by my current choices. Natural fatherly thinking and hoping I suppose.
Some would be taken aback by me wanting more immersion with disability. But to me this is not more immersion per-say, but rather a reprieve from the present and even in some ways an escape of the present personal rollercoaster. A rollercoaster trekking through unspeakable beauty, hope and at the same time, ugliness and despair.
Simply gazing at the uniqueness of my son brings about so many differing emotions. Walking with him in life and seeing how in one sense he is immensely valuable in the world and yet in another sense so easily ignored by the world. A world that at times does honour his Takiwatanga (the Maori word for Autism meaning “in his/her own time and space’). This causes such satisfaction and rage that I had to do something to express this personal mosaic.
This led to me using art as an avenue to express it. I created Father of Autism the Chronicles Part 1. Some scenes were taken from my life and others were taken from circumstances that my and wife’s peers in the autism parenting world have faced .
The hope was to display the cerebral tragi-beauty that it is. I had the chance to live through scenarios again in the film and also to escape and feel and live the pain and joy of others. One avenue of my work as an employment specialist has been to employ drama as a means for clients to have fuller expression. Also to live through stories that may bring development, growth and release anxiety.
Now in my life there has been this same reckoning. The personal and vocational came together. It was a transcendental experience. Though me and my wife loved the response from so many friends and family, it was great knowing that other parents looked at it and said “wow been/am/will be/ hope to be / hope not to be …. there. I get it”.
One person a parent with children who are considered “typical” even wrote “Wow I actually think I’m missing out on something.” But don’t be fooled this was not just about self therapy or helping others. Art is too complex for that. It was also sweet revenge. An upper cut on society. A punch packed with real experience so hidden and not seen so vividly.
I knew about Southern American culture because of Roseanne. I learned about Indigenous culture through shows like Arctic Air. I learned about dilemmas of the Black experience through shows like Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Many people have not experienced acting work imprinted with disability.
The hope here is that this work and future projects that will be endowed with bigger budgets, better equipment and most importantly more real stories will fill the gap. To heal and to be honest to hurt and to educate. I was going to end this by saying “Want to watch? Here’s looking at you” But then again, eye contact is overrated. Never been a real fan of it.
Like father, like son.
My name is Kapil Sharma. I’m 37 years old. I am defined by being my wife Cora’s Lover, A Father to three beautiful children and an Employment Specialist. Coaching, Care and Creativity have permeated my whole life. Did B.A studies at University of the Fraser Valley as well Performance Arts at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. Current hobbies and interests include High Intensity Fitness, Filmmaking and Modelling
Click here to visit Kapil’s YouTube page.
You can contact Kapil at fatherofautismchronicles@gmail.com
Few things, which are quite relatable as when my son was in fifth grade, he had a difficult year, another in a long line of difficult years. A therapist recommended an evaluation by a neuropsychologist, and we suspected he had learning disabilities. But when the doctor opened the thick manila folder in front of her, my eyes landed on the word autism. My son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Although he was high-functioning, it was affecting his social skills as well as his ability to learn in traditional ways. Since then it has been 14 years now, and one thing I personally experienced is that apart from all those autism respite services, a social group for autism is the most important thing which helps a autistic child become more familiar with surroundings or society.
I was deeply moved by Kapil Sharma’s blog post. His words beautifully capture the rollercoaster journey of raising a child with autism, filled with both joy and despair. Through his art and storytelling, he not only expresses his own experiences but also sheds light on the hidden realities faced by many parents in the autism community. It’s inspiring to see how he uses his vocational expertise and personal journey to create a platform for healing, education, and empathy.
I just want to find a group to talk to about kids autism
Kapil Sharma, your candid reflection on the intricate emotional journey with your son, Lukah, struck a chord deep within me. Your narrative beautifully encapsulates the paradox of finding immense value in a world that sometimes overlooks individuals like Lukah. It’s commendable how you’ve transformed your experiences into art, not just for personal therapy, but as a poignant uppercut on society, a reminder that diverse narratives deserve a spotlight. The hope for future projects with bigger budgets and real stories to bridge the gap is both inspiring and necessary.
Your journey as a father of a child with autism, expressed through art, is deeply moving and resonates with many. Through your Chronicles, you’ve captured the beauty, challenges, and often overlooked nuances of autism parenting. Your dedication to raising awareness and fostering empathy through your work is truly commendable. Keep shining a light on this important narrative.
Kapil, your heartfelt reflection on your journey as a father to Lukah and your dedication to supporting individuals with disabilities is incredibly moving. It’s evident that your personal experiences have fueled your passion for advocacy and your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Using art as a means of expression and storytelling in “Father of Autism the Chronicles Part 1” is a powerful way to shed light on the complexities of autism and the unique challenges faced by individuals and families. Your willingness to share your own experiences, as well as those of others in the autism community, creates a platform for understanding, empathy, and connection.
The intersection of your personal and professional worlds has allowed you to channel your creativity and compassion into meaningful work that has the potential to inspire, educate, and foster greater awareness and acceptance. Your dedication to amplifying the voices of those often overlooked or marginalized is commendable, and your efforts to bridge the gap through storytelling are both courageous and impactful.
As you continue on this journey of advocacy and artistic expression, may your work serve as a beacon of hope, empowerment, and inclusivity for all. Your resilience, empathy, and unwavering commitment to making a difference are truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story and for being a beacon of light in the disability community.