This week at the Swamp, Green Level had Mickey Rowe, award winning author, actor, and speaker, give a speech about his story. What makes Mickey Rowe special is that he has accomplished these incredible things while being autistic and legally blind. Mickey Rowe emphasizes that these are not setbacks in his story, but his strengths.
Mickey Rowe’s story is nothing short of complex. He grew up having everyone he knew tell him that he couldn’t do something because of his disabilities. In a spell of unemployment, he became a street performer, and walked on stilts for tips. Rowe describes how validating that job was for him because for the first time, every person who saw him would smile.
Rowe knew he was talented at performing, and he knew that his autism actually gave him a leg up in his acting skills. Rowe auditioned for the play of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a story about Christopher, a young boy with autism who investigates the murder of his dog.
At first, they would not let him audition. The producers told him that they would never cast an autistic person to play the role of Christopher; that they already had “professional” actors to fill the role.
Rowe powerfully said, “I was told that the word professional and the word inclusion couldn’t coexist.”
Rowe pushed for the role even still, and was given a chance. After all, Rowe played the part perfectly. Rowe’s autism does not make it harder for him to act, in fact he says it helps him. He is better in scripted conversation and very clearly understands the job he has to do.
“I am a better actor because of, not in spite of, my autism.” said Rowe in his speech.
Rowe’s speech to the students of Green Level had everyone listening and engaged. His presence in front of a crowd is attention grabbing, and his words are captivating. Not to mention the various times he interacted with the crowd.
A student favorite is when he brought volunteers to the front to play a game of tug of war. At first the student had to tug all by themselves, showing that reaching goals alone is difficult. But when Rowe invited more students to support him, the group found it much easier to succeed.
Not to mention his show of talent when he successfully juggled a tennis racket, a paint roller, and a hammer. But most powerful is Mickey Rowe’s famous line: “Your differences are your strengths”. Rowe had all the students repeat after him, making them truly believe it themselves.
Rowe’s visit to Green Level was uplifting for every student that heard his message. Mrs. Silvera, special education teacher, thought his speech was especially moving considering her involvement with special education at Green Level.
“It was inspiring to see someone who was autistic and blind overcome their challenges and achieve such great things,” said Silvera.
With such a diverse student body, Green Level prioritizes inclusion and embracing each and every student for who they are. Having Mickey Rowe to the school to speak to the students is a way that Green Level upholds this pillar.
“It is important that we have speakers like Mickey Rowe at our school because it shows the students a real life example of a person embracing their differences,” said Silvera. “He helped to motivate our students to embrace their own differences and follow their dreams.”
Rowe’s visit left students with a lasting reminder that your differences are not a limitation, but a source of power. Being proud of what makes you unique can be the very thing that helps you succeed.
“You may not have autism like me. But regardless, your differences are your strengths.”
– Mickey Rowe
