Autism.
One point five million Americans live with its effects. The disorder changes how a person interacts with others and their ability to communicate. For a dauphin county man, who's lived with Autism his whole life, his ability to communicate is something he excels in. For him, a picture, is worth a thousand words.
"My name is Philip A. Moore and I have Asperger's." A simple walk in nature is all it takes for Philip Moore's imagination to light up. "I day dream a lot and get lost in my own thoughts," says Philip as he snaps shots with his camera. Nature photographs, you could say, are Philips specialty. "A lot of it is seeing something in nature and trying to see if there are other messages behind it,” explains Philip. He deciphers those messages with every click of his camera, getting a very up-close and personal glimpse into what the earth has to offer. At the same time, letting everyone else, get a glimpse into Philip. “It's euphoric,” says Philip. “You're into that one area of your head that you're able to show somebody else.” Each photograph tells a different story. It’s his way, as Philip says, of capturing immortality. And that, for an Autistic man who finds himself categorized with a million more like him, leaves a lasting legacy of one in a million; Philip, the photographer. "75 years from now they may not remember who I am,” says Philip. “But they may look at the picture and say, wow!"
To read more about Philip, to see his work and to hear the story behind how I got know Philip for this story, check out my
blog.
To nominate someone you know who is living well with their disability, fill out the form on the right side of this page or email me. TanyaFoster@cbs21.com.
