I have two sides to my life. One. My family side where I am the real me.

My family always saw my intelligence. They always knew I understood.

My life outside can be different. It is hard for me to hear and see and listen and understand, sit up, breathe and communicate all at one time. My thoughts are swimming under water. But I am here. I understand.

I love my books. My books on Frank Lloyd Wright, Cathedrals of the World, Modern Architecture, and Chevrolets. I love words. I love letters. I love learning.

I started reading words before I could hear words. Beautiful reliable words. Word stay the same once I see them. Pictures were hard. Words easy.

I could not always show I could spell the words because my body would not listen. But I could point to the word. The word then became my word. Beautiful and always.

There are some people that are not in my family, but see the real me. I remember all of them, their names. I remember the feeling to be near them. I am Free. I am swimming. I can be me. I like that.

Please try to be the person that understands, that someone like me who is not speaking, has a voice and much inside.

Biography

Henry Frost is a 13 year old self-advocate who lives in Tampa, Florida with his mom and step dad, Lauri and Russ Hunt, and sisters Olivia (17) and Lily (15). Henry has two amazing service dogs, Denzel and Duke. Henry happens to be nonverbal but is a great communicator. Henry loves hanging out with his friends, cousins, travelling, Nascar, and going to the beach. He has always been very empathetic and is determined to help change the world, for himself and others. He believes that everyone can make a difference and is working to do just that.

Henry has recently been advocating for all students to have access to the general education and to be included in classrooms with their peers. Henry knows firsthand of this struggle, because it is one he has faced. Click here to watch his videos advocating for respect and equal treatment of students who are nonverbal.