Logan’s Story with Autism: “Beautiful Journey with a Few Roadbumps” | Thrive In The Mess | Hutchcraft Ministries

Lisa:
Welcome to Thrive in the Mess. I'm your host Lisa Hutchcraft Whitmer. So hey friend, welcome to Thrive in the Mess and today we are going to dive into the topic of walking through life with autism.

And I have an amazing friend here and his name is Logan. Logan, welcome to Thrive in the Mess. I am so happy to have you here.

Logan:
Thank you for having me, Lisa. We go way back.

Lisa:
Well, and what I remember when I first met you, I was helping out at the high sch uh at the junior high one day and I you know, I was kind of keeping an eye on, you know, things in the library. So you kind of just look around every now and then. And there was one time and I saw this student with this great smile, just kinda looking uh, you know, my way.

And there was another time I kinda looked again and that and that bit 'cause I'm I think anyone is drawn to smile but I love when people smile like when I had my teeth full of braces in junior high and and that was back in the day I'm gonna sound ancient they used to have metal around every single tooth it wasn't these little dots. You know and someone even asked me, I remember in seventh grade, she said, Are you trying to have a seat? All the metal all the way to the back of your mouth was smiling and and I'm like, I never thought about that.

But you just You still smile. And you were that student who was smiling that day. And I was like, he just has such a joy.

And that comes out in someone's smile. And we're just gonna dive in because I don't know a whole lot about life with autism. Autism is different for everybody too.

I d I understand some of that. There's different degrees of I I know Um, we know some people and some uh children and young people with autism aren't very verbal. There's you know, there's all different high functioning, you know, different words with it.

But we're not gonna get into all the science of it. I wanna know your real life story of just you and can you just kinda tell us some of your story?

Logan:
Yeah, of course. I've loved you so long. I love this lighting. I'm so happy to be here today and I I'm grateful that you've asked me to come on. Um, my story all began when well, it came from birth, because that's how it happens, but my story kind of began at age ten.

Lisa:
Um I went to a doctor.

Logan:
Uh my mom kinda saw signs growing up, but um we kind of put the puzzle pieces together Um and then I went to a doctor at age ten and that day I got diagnosed with autism and my mother's heart broke 'cause you get that word autism and we didn't really know a lot about it at that time. as we do now. And so, um, but the doctor reassured her that it wasn't the end of the world. Um, it's the beginning of a beautiful new journey with your son. And so those words kind of changed my mom's life.

Lisa:
That's a good doctor.

Logan:
Yeah, a good doctor. And so um she said, Okay, we're gonna have to figure out what we're gonna do um from then on. And so um But it has not been easy.

It's been very hard and it's been very difficult. There's been a lot of tears, there's been a lot of trials, there's been a lot of of um advocating for my rights. And um there's been a lot of frustration.

Lisa:
What are some of the hardest things? Just we're talking about mess and thriving and your smile, you have thriven? I don't think that's right.

You have been thriving, but there's hard times when we walk through things. And I know it hasn't always felt like you've been thriving, but can you give an example to someone who might not be familiar with autism, what are some of those challenges? What are the things that cause the tears, cause the hard moments?

Logan:
Well, there's a lot behind the smile that um like depression and suicide and um hospital stays and um body dysformia as I've struggled with through the years and um you know as I've said you know wanting to end your life And that all comes with autism and it all comes with anxiety and OCD. Um um life-threatening OCD that um and days you can't get out of bed and days you can't feel like you can You can't go on and people would be better off without you. And and that comes with it. And so it's not a yellow brick road all the time.

Lisa:
Right.

Logan:
Um always say it's it's a beautiful journey with a few bumps in the road and a major detour.

Lisa:
Right. But it is a beautiful journey. That's a great five.

Wow. I I did hear you say that one time of what you said of a beautiful journey, but with some bumps in the road. And can I just say I'm very thankful you did not end your life because you are such a beautiful presence, such a kind-hearted person.

And we need more people like that in this world. We need more Logans. And so I I know it's been a hard journey in different ways, but you have encouraged so many people.

But we're gonna come back to it and the encouraging part. And thank you for sharing just honestly some of the mess and the hard those hard moments, you know. And um I am kind of curious what was it like when you were a child I if you have any memories of that, it I you know, sometimes it's hard to go back to childhood, but are there certain things that made you feel different or um I uh you know before you got to an actual diagnosis at age ten.

Logan:
I remember feeling so lonely as a child

Lisa:
Wow.

Logan:
And um feeling empty and just feeling so different from other kids. And I remember that feeling so when I was real small, feeling having that empty feeling. And um I just I never got invited to things and I always knew I was different and always say I I knew I was different, now I know why.

And um you feel that when you're when you have autism and that's sometimes that's hard for people to understand when they're not in the same boat as you. Um, but I know what these kids and what these adults have lived Um and anybody that's different, I don't care if you have autism or any way of life that you're living, um, I get what being different's like. Um it's very lonely and it's very hard.

But I think as you get older you kind of accept yourself and that's a really a freeing feeling. But I just remember being by myself a lot, being wishing that I had friends and kind of I remember mom said the babysitter used to um put me in a room with kids. And she would try to get me to interact with them and I would always go back into the bedroom.

And she'd pull me back out again to try to interact with the kids. I'd always go back into the bedroom. by myself.

So they saw the signs, but they didn't think anything of it back then. And there was a lot of sensory issues. and a lot of things back then, but they just thought, well, he he he has brothers and, you know, just not not thinking about it.

And I think that's what goes on with a lot of parents now. They just don't think about it. They just think, oh, it's just but really, really don't think that way now.

i if it is autism, get it checked out. Get early detection. You know?

Lisa:
You do think it is helpful to learn earlier.

Logan:
Very.

Lisa:
And I wonder from what you're saying Do some people put it off because they don't want to hear that, but it's better to hear it and just dive in and I think people put it off because

Logan:
A lot of times people put it off because they don't want to deal with it. And that wasn't the case with my mom at all. My mom helped me. My mom was proud of me, even if she had a son with autism.

Lisa:
Yeah.

Logan:
Um Sh we we we um found the tools to help my life. But I like that.

Lisa:
That's a practical help for someone of just finding tools.

Logan:
Yes.

Lisa:
For things too. And even some of the things you're talking about, like sensory even, um, do those things ever um change like as you get older. Um I you know, I don't know the situation as well.

Like if you were in a room with other children, did you like pulling back a little bit because Maybe it got louder or something. I don't know the various sensory things. But does that change ever like as a teenager or You're a young adult, young man, you know.

Logan:
Yeah, like I think some things change. Um, like the loud noises used to get on my nerves and when my brothers would scream and and those kind of things did. But

Lisa:
But which is things brothers do.

Logan:
Yes, which things brothers do and sisters do too. You know, two brothers and um you know and stuff like that.

Lisa:
But

Logan:
I think sometimes people um are too proud sometimes and they don't want to accept that their kids have that their kids are different or they have autism and so they won't get them the help they need. And I think that's sad. And um but

Lisa:
Um I'm not saying all parents are like that, but But it's just something to keep in mind if there's someone who's walking through maybe seeing signs.

Logan:
Not all parents are like that. There's great parents out there.

Lisa:
Right.

Logan:
And there's great parents that are doing the best job that they can and they're they're taking care of their kids and everything.

Lisa:
But then there's more tools probably than ever now. Yeah. Even maybe I You know, you said your mom got tools and all.

And one thing I want to tell you, you maybe didn't get invited to things when you were younger. I'm Sorry about that. But you're invited to my party, Carolyn.

Logan:
I'd come get Lisa's party. I'm at Lisa's party today and we're having so much

Lisa:
I'm just thrilled to how I, you know, when you were excited to just to even when I invited you, I was like, oh, you Um, just your perspective and I wanna jump to that because honestly, you I saw something where you talked about Um you could say something you wrote, you could say, God, look what you've done to me, but instead you've chosen to say, God, look what you've done for me. Can you just talk a little bit about that perspective even of, you know, and I like I'm sure everyone goes through blaming God for things. But you chose to flip it and say, look what you've done for me. Just what's your thinking with some of that even?

Logan:
Do you know I've never blamed God for anything. Every day that I wake up. That's a choice.

It is a choice. Every day that I wake up, I thank him. And I thank him for autism.

Wow. Because that's what makes me me. And and sincerely I do.

Um I thank the Lord for another day, another day every day. And um I but I'm a very positive person. I look at my glass half full instead of half empty.

And I wrote that because um It was just so important to me to write that because I had a friend and um and then my other friend, her daughter, has Down syndrome and she was thinking about I wish my daughter had a normal life. And then she thought about all the the um the things in her life and the decisions she had to make and the bad choices that that normal life brought her. And so that inspired me to write that, like going through a divorce or having to bury a child or um having their first heartbreak and um You know, the things that I would like to experience in life and I haven't yet.

And um thinking maybe God's protected me in life that I haven't had to go through those things. And maybe that isn't such a negative thing. Maybe I've been protected because I do have a big heart and a big tender heart full of a lot of love.

And so um you you pick your battles and uh and and so that's why I did write that because um I'm very blessed and autism isn't such a bad thing. It's it i it's it's It's how you look at life and and I'm and and and I'm very blessed and my life's philosophy is the only bad attitude the only Disability is a bad attitude.

Lisa:
And um I I heard you say that. Like and I was like That is uh just just to let that soak in a minute, that that's a disability a lot of people have.

Logan:
It is.

Lisa:
When we choose a bad attitude, and that is a choice of no matter what we're walking through. So that is really something to think about disability and the only disability is a bad attitude. Powerful statement.

And I one thing I've heard you talk about is the positives and the negatives. And the positives, I think you said the positives outweigh. The negatives of autism.

Yeah. Oh, that's powerful too. Do you have any other uh like some thoughts about um some of the positives?

You've you've already touched on some of these, but Are there others you think of that are positive? And then we'll also kind of talk a little bit more about are there other negatives?

Logan:
Oh, I think there's so many positives to autism. Um I think um I don't know if I'd be like Logan if there wasn't. I think autism plays a important role in my life every day. Um If if I didn't have autism, I probably wouldn't be like I am, you know. And so I I'm And the world needs more people like you, like I said.

Lisa:
Well and there's even a phrase kinda that that uh You have used uh of love like Logan. Yes. And I I couldn't help but think um how that's the heart of God too, of loving other people. And one thing I love about when Jesus was on earth was that he loved people who were sometimes the outsiders, people on the fringes of life. It is Really one of the things I love so much about.

Logan:
Are those your favorite people?

Lisa:
Yes. Well, but the thing is, they're not always like society some sometimes doesn't know what to do. Like with Jesus, okay, it was a tax collector, the short little guy who climbed up in a tree, and we hear his name is Zacchaeus, but God saw Jesus saw him and stopped.

to talk to him. No one wanted to talk to the tax collector because they weren't really honest about the taxes. You know, they would steal people's money.

Or he cared about the lady who had um, you know, slept around with a lot of people and he goes to see her. He made an intentional choice to go talk to her at a well where she was getting water in the middle of the day. Usually people went in the morning or at night to get their water, but she avoided that time, probably because all the other ladies were like ps ps gossiping.

Right But Jesus shows up to talk to her in the heat of the day while she's getting around. He cares about the people on the fringes and outside of life and I just I love that. And so I see that that's God's heart of loving people and the example that Jesus had for us to live like him in that way.

So I love that of love like Logan because that is something this world needs more of because there's so many uh hard voices, chaotic voices and angry voices and lies that come our way that say we're not valuable or you're not good enough or whatever the case may be And that's not true. Like God's word, I love the truth where it talks about we are made by God and for God and we're fearfully and wonderfully made. And you are uniquely you.

I love how you've said you would not be you without autism.

Logan:
I wouldn't.

Lisa:
Ugh I don't know who beautiful. Right.

Logan:
But I truly love people

Lisa:
Yeah.

Logan:
And it's all about the people. They've been so good to me, Lisa. I love people.

Lisa:
Well I love that you encourage people. I know I see things that you share from time to time where I think you literally said I wrote down you you said recently Um, you ask the Lord what to do each day. I do. And when you do that, what are different things that you end up doing in those Days where you're like, okay, God, what do you want me to do today?

Logan:
Well, every day I ask the Lord to let me bless one person. Wow

Lisa:
So Well I'm that person today.

Logan:
You're that you're that person, Lisa.

Lisa:
And you are amazing. And I'm sure you're gonna uh touch other people.

Logan:
Well I say let me bless one person and as many as I can.

Lisa:
Yeah.

Logan:
But I ask him to let Lead me, guide me, direct me, use me, let me be a light. But um I just ask him to let me bless people because I've been so blessed Um, but just use my story to help people and he's just been so good to me. And we don't know how we're gonna be used in life.

Um and we don't know what life's gonna bring us. And so I just ask him to use me. And we all think we have this big purpose in life But maybe we have a mission.

You know, maybe we don't have a big purpose. Maybe we're on a mission. And so um That's good.

Yeah, we we sometimes we think we have this big purpose. But maybe we're just on a mission to make a difference. And so I just asked God to lead me, s give me strength to make it through the day.

And so, um, this was the big thing today, but um I just ask him to let me bless people because I love people and I love him. I truly do.

Lisa:
And I love what you're saying because sometimes we think A big purpose and a big mission have to be some big thing. Yes. And it has to make it on the news or make the headlines.

But it's all these little actions that are sometimes unseen. Yes. Now God always sees those actions.

But when maybe an unseen moment where you're encouraging someone and just speaking life to them or love to them and or just encouraging them. You said as we were walking into into here to record, you probably said about three, four encouraging things to me. And I'm like, wait a minute.

No, you inc I I'm trying to encourage you and you but you encourage and like We can just have we're not having an argument, but you encourage, so you encourage, so you encourage it's like but that's a beautiful thing that doesn't come out of people naturally all the time. And God's given you such a beautiful heart with that, which is just amazing because it just comes it just flows right out of you. Well, I mean very naturally.

people on I did not bring pom-poms for you. But I love that you can be the cheerleader without the pom-poms because people need that. They need to know someone's in their corner.

Logan:
I mean Yeah We should support people, lift people up. We shouldn't we shouldn't I don't know how people can't, you know. If you love people you should support 'em and just Cheer them all. And so I'm always rooting for you, Lisa.

Lisa:
Oh, you are so kind hearted with that. And I do think sometimes life gets so hectic and people and uh I people in our lives can get forgotten or pushed to the side because of a checklist or things. And But I love that that's an intentional choice for you.

It is. Each day. And yeah, we may have some days where we don't feel well or like whatever, you know, or We just have other things going on, but it's a ch intentional choice to say, I want to Bless someone, touch someone's life today.

And that's powerful because all those things add up to that might be the one thing that that person hears that day. It might be the only encouragement they ever hear. You know you just never know.

Do you ever hear Hear stories like that back from people? I'm I those are h if someone asked me that, I don't know that I could come up with an answer that quickly, but do you ever hear stories from people like Logan? Wow, you said something at that moment.

Logan:
I get messages all the time. I bet. And um I get messages I didn't give I I haven't given up because of you.

I got that the other day. Wow. And that just warms my heart or my son, um is the best thing ever in my life.

He has autism. And I find find that these parents are just as proud of their autistic kids as any parent would be of of their non autistic Kids. So it doesn't matter if their kids have disabilities or not.

They're just as proud. But I get messages all the time that you bring hope to my family. And those are the the messages and those are the things that make it all worth it.

And that means the most to me. That I've touched people's lives, that I've made a difference, and So everybody out there, I do look at your messages and they mean so much to me and you mean so much to me. But I get a lot of messages and such kind hearts from people.

And stories people whisper in my ear and share to me all the time.

Lisa:
Well you've poured into a lot of lives and I I also can't help but think of also in God's Word There's uh there's a verse that talks about he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. And I love that because you're pouring out to other people, but then they something say something back to you. So you're encouraging them, refreshing them.

I I always view that word refresh as like giving a cold glass of water, you know, or something when it's on a really hot day, you know. And so like you're refreshing someone else, but then they're refreshing you back. Kind of giving that cold cup of water back, you know.

Yes. Um when they say something back about this is what you've done in my life and um how you've encouraged me. So I just feel like that's really powerful uh to even think that way of um of loving like logan and although it's love like logan let's keep it shorter like that it never is taken for granted and it never goes unnoticed

Logan:
And I'm always appreciated. I'm always appreciative of it and um I've been blessed times ten, as I always say. I have been so blessed.

Lisa:
That's another discrete perspective. And I do like that just another pulling something out of choosing to have a good attitude in the middle of everything. I do want to jump back to are there Things now that you're older, you know, a young man excuse me, or through teenager years even, um, where uh you've talked about there are still things hard.

There are things that you would like to have happen, but that haven't had happen. But I I like you also have another important intentional choice you've made, which is gratitude, like being thankful. And that's why you wrote um this beautiful thing that you shared.

Yeah. And uh I uh about, you know, I may not have experienced love, but I'm thankful I haven't had heartbreak. You know, different things like that.

But what are some of like the harder things like that, if you don't mind sharing, just some of the, you know, I wish N this is a dream of mine, but it it does hurt. I haven't had that yet.

Logan:
I'm trying to think like not having kids. Right. Um But I'm not done yet.

I could stop kid. Right, right, right. You're young.

I'm young. Men are young. They are for a long time.

Lisa:
That's another choice though. It's a choice mentally.

Logan:
But um Um, let's see. But I'm a big dreamer because I can I can feel like I can do a lot, you know. So there's really um And I have some dreams that are gonna happen s soon eventually that I haven't really talked about yet.

Lisa:
Yeah, yeah.

Logan:
So um No spoilers. No spoil no spoilers.

Lisa:
So But I love that though because it's it's dreams And everyone. I I love that you're not, you don't feel limited.

Logan:
No.

Lisa:
Because you have people could say, well Either a parent might say that with their child of potentially of a and not just with autism, but anything where they might think, well I don't know that they can do that. Yes. Or a child might feel limited.

Um, or a young adult might feel limited, but I love that You have dreams. You're not choosing to feel limited. And I think we are if we limit ourselves, we are limited, you know, if that makes sense.

It's kinda I I don't mean that to sound confusing, but it's a choice to say, No, I'm not going to be limited here in this way.

Logan:
I always I this is my my and it should be It I'm I'm a guy with autism that puts his feet on the floor every day ready to try again. Because I always try. I don't give up.

Lisa:
Oh, I love that.

Logan:
And and that's true. And um

Lisa:
By the way, if you need a snack, these aren't for decoration. Thank you. I have those direct after a little while I'm like, you know, there's we probably need to have something.

I heard you share something about um I well, I'm gonna ask you this instead. What would you say to someone? who does not have autism, but they might know someone who has autism.

I think most people in our world today we know someone who has autism of uh just of course different varying degrees of it, but what would you say to someone? about um and one of the things that I actually remember you saying is be a friend to someone with autism. But are there other things you might include with that.

Logan:
Well everybody will know someone with autism because it's one in thirty six in America. And so every family is getting touched by autism. Right.

And so um Get to know someone with autism. Don't be afraid. Don't be scared.

Um they will change your life for the better. They are amazing people. And not just autism, but people with special needs.

Right. I just visited um Independent Living and they invited me over and um It touched my heart.

Lisa:
And you spoke there. I spoke. You shared some of your story.

Logan:
And these people are beautiful people And they're my people, they're my community. And is people with special needs have always been close to my heart because I am a person with special needs. And I'm like, if you mess with these people, you're messing with me.

Lisa:
Right, right.

Logan:
'Cause these There's just I enjoy that day so much. And um they just want to be seen, they want to be accepted, they want to be loved, and they have their lives matter. And so that's right.

Just get to know these wonderful souls. They're just beautiful. And um but er every family will be touched by autism in some way in the world.

And so just get ready. Just get ready. It could be your child, it could be your your friend, it could be, you know, um So just have patience.

Just have patience and have a lot of love. Have unconditional love.

Lisa:
Wow. Yeah. And now what would you say to someone who has autism?

Logan:
You're beautiful. Ugh And you're loved. And you're perfect the way you are.

Lisa:
Wow. Okay, I'm gonna ask you. Could you literally look at that camera and talk to someone? Because I'm sure there is someone. Who is like, I don't have dreams, I don't feel special, I don't feel valuable, but I would love them to hear that directly from you.

Logan:
You're perfect, you're beautiful. You're worthy, you're loved, and Logan loves you.

Lisa:
And the beautiful thing I love is that I come back to it again. God has made us uniquely us And that gives uh that makes us valuable right there. There's another verse in the Bible that talks about how he um he uh it literally sings over us and uh like kind of dances over it.

He's so proud of us. He loves us. He values us.

And He made us, we're his creation. And that just you know, uh I don't I'm not an artist, but like an a masterpiece, I don't know, the Mona Lisa, whatever, you know, the artist signs the bottom and God has signed the bottom with each of us. He signed under Logan, you know, God, I you're my masterpiece, you know.

Lisa, I'm your master p I I'm his masterpiece. And It's just a beautiful way to go into each day knowing we're valuable and treasured and loved by God. And I love your challenge to people.

Logan:
I love that. What you said.

Lisa:
Oh, but but we are. It's just that the master P to know that because we all have moments Uh you know, autism special needs, whatever. Uh you know, even if you don't have a a special need, we all have those moments where the you know just lies or not truth from our culture and from our world just of not being good enough really scream at us all the time.

And So it's hard to we gotta turn those voices off of who uh, you know, the world like our our whole world thinks we should be and be like, you know what? I'm unique, one of a kind. And Logan, I just love the example you are to others of very and I know you said there must be roller coaster moments, uh, you know, too, but I really love how you have chosen to intentionally encourage other people and love, you know, to love like Logan.

Is there anything else you would say to someone about autism. I I you know what one other question before we go there. What would you say to a parent?

I know we kind of touched on that a little earlier about early detection, but is there anything else you would say just to a parent even? When their child gets that diagnosis.

Logan:
Don't be afraid. Just buckle up.

Lisa:
Oh, that's good.

Logan:
But you're you're gonna have a have a bumpy ride, but You're doing you're gonna do an amazing job. And these parents are doing an amazing job. And these caregivers, these grandparents, these fathers, and these single mothers.

They're they're doing amazing jobs and they're they're the real advocates out there. My mom, she was the real advocate. I'm not an advocate.

She was and um there's some amazing parents and caregivers out there. That are doing just phenomenal jobs. Wow.

And I'm so proud of them. I've met so many of them and they've shared their stories with me. They've shared their hearts with me.

And they love their kids so much. much and I'm so proud of them.

Lisa:
You know, while you were talking, I couldn't help but think I i that's just very powerful for a parent and any family. But I I couldn't I'd like to know what would you say to um younger Logan like a little when you were a child or a teenager, what would you tell yourself then? That you feel like you know now. What would you just tell Little Logan?

Logan:
You're gonna make it.

Lisa:
Oh my god. That's so good.

Logan:
You're gonna make it. And you're enough

Lisa:
Wow.

Logan:
Because I'm stepping into my 30. I'm gonna be 30 in September. So Wow.

Lisa:
Well happy 30th early. Wow. But I feel I feel enough now. Oh.

Logan:
You know. And that's a freeing feeling. I'm just glad I'm still here.

Lisa:
Me too.

Logan:
You know. I'm blessed.

Lisa:
Well, anyone watching this, I know, is glad you're still here because We all need that encouragement because you're right, we're all touched by, you know, knowing someone with autism or having autism. So Oh wow. Well anything else you would say to anybody? Oh.

Logan:
I just love everybody. And I know when I got accept uh when I got diagnosed and Um, mom said, Well, what do you think the cure for autism is? I said, acceptance.

Lisa:
Wow.

Logan:
And that changed everything. And so that's where we W we said, well now we can move on and we can learn ways to help my life. And so that that's the cure for anything and everything and everybody.

Yeah If we can accept accept things and accept people and love them who for who they are and love autism autism is an attitude and um If we can just accept people, why can't we just accept and love everybody and accept things? And so it worked for me, it's it'll work for you. So that was I was young then, so mom thought, well that's pretty profound.

Yeah.

Lisa:
And you know what? I do believe God again has given you such a special heart. And such a uh whether it's a heart full of love and encouragement and to think about other people and I w uh one last question. So how has God encouraged you in this journey? And through life.

Logan:
He's been with me holding my hand every step of the way. He he um He's been my rock. He's been my hero.

He's carried me. He he's while I'm still here. He wasn't done with me.

Um I talk to God every day and He just says keep going. And so um I can do all things through Christ. which strengthens me.

Lisa:
And so um is that one of your favorites? That's my favorite.

Logan:
Oh wow. And so um he's just so good to me.

Lisa:
Wow.

Logan:
And so My faith has kept me strong.

Lisa:
And so Wow. Yeah. Logan, we could probably keep talking. We could.

Logan:
We're just gonna have to go hang out sometime. This is I haven't seen Lisa in so long. No, I know. And we just pick up where we left off, don't we?

Lisa:
Uh we do. And I just so appreciate your perspective, your joy, your encouragement, your love, and for all different groups of people, uh practical ways they can uh look at autism and be involved in the life of someone and uh you just gave a lot of great takeaways and I know you might be hungry now but I'm gonna just thank you again for coming and friend. I hope you leave encouraged today. I feel like I've learned so much more about jumping into this, doing uh diving into learning more about autism because I'm sorry to say I just haven't known as much. So I'm thankful for Logan joining us and friend I hope you'll join me next time on Thrive in the Mess.