Mark Rober is well-known on social media for his videos on science and gadgets. However, the former NASA engineer used his popularity to discuss his family life and his son, who has autism.
In the video that has garnered millions of views, the fun-loving, devoted dad reveals that after eight years of making videos, he and his wife had decided to share their son's autism with his fans.
While fearful of how the internet might respond, and also trying to protect their son, the couple felt that by sharing their experience it might help those dealing with autism, and give others a better understanding of how life with a child on the autism spectrum can be rewarding, joyful, and indeed, a blessing.
The first thing that strikes you on viewing the video is how devoted Rober is to his son. In taking the time to understand his challenges, Rober can appreciate his son's unique nature, and what value it brings to him, his wife and all those who know him.
The video is not only touching and insightful, it's full of hope and gratitude. It offers support to those with autism and their families. And perhaps more importantly it explains to those who might not understand autism that even if autism provides challenges, those who are on the spectrum always have something to offer society. And it challenges our perceptions of how we normally perceive success.
A successful life is one where you leave the world better than you found it. A net positive effect due to your influence ... People with special needs might not fit the criteria of success ... but they have a net positive effect on the people that get to interact with them ... They demonstrate the simple joys life has to offer."
A dad in awe of both his son and his wife, Rober shares a message that is both heart-warming and a crucial reminder of how we should never judge others, especially the more vulnerable. We should try to consider how life might be for these individuals and how we could help them be their best selves, and how we could become a better person because of them.
