How This Works

My name is Trevor Wood and I am an 8th grader at Columbia Middle School. Over the past year, I have gotten to know Zach as well as any good friend. Zach is loads of fun to talk to and hang out with. Whenever I am around him, I feel uplifted no matter what my mood, he just has a kind of happiness that follows him everywhere. Zach is always optomistic and encouraging. The ever present smile on his face and friendliness toward everyone is always guaranteed to make my day. Zach is a true friend, a friend that always listens and alway cares. Zach has truly inspired me.
posted by Trevor Wood on 5/14/07 6:02: PM

I offered Zach's story to give hope others who are struggling to live with autism; but I'm finding myself so blessed by the beautiful comments that viewers have left for our family. Thank you for supporting Autism Speaks and for sharing so many kind thoughts. For those of you who know Zach personally and love him for the person he is, I will never find the words to tell you how much this means to me and what a difference you've made in his life. May God bless you as you have blessed us! Kim
posted by Kim Dailey on 5/11/07 8:40: AM

i need vidoes teaching for my son who have autism
posted by khaled on 5/10/07 1:29: AM

Hi, my name is Eric Radake and i would like to take this time thank zach for all the good times i have shared with him like basketball baseball and track i remember during baseball season we would lose but he would be happy and that would always chear me up and one time i was pitching and zach told me to throw a no hitter and him just saying it with such confidence gae me hope for the game i ended up giving up a hit in the fourth inning and felt terrible and i didnt feel that i could look zach in the face but as soon as i sat down he came over to me and told me wat a great job i was doin that cheered me up and i continued to play good and i no withouut zach i wouldnt have played so good and during basketball there were times wen i thought that i couldnt keep goin i thought of zach and the troubles he faces every day and it pushed me to a new leval and seeing his face after wins made every minute of every game worth while and now zach is track manager and he loves track before every meet he is the cheering us on before it starts trying to get us pumped up and i no that for me it helped and i think that if made zach manager of the tennis team he would b just as excited bkuz he just wants to b out there with freinds playin any game bkuz he loves sports once again i would like to thank zach for helping me and i no that in some way zach has changed my life bkuz of him i no i wont judge ppl bkuz of how they look and for that i am trully thankful and i hope that in some way zach effects everyone who sees this bkuz he is an amazing person and i think if u ever get to no him he will have changed u
posted by Eric Radake on 5/09/07 7:49: PM

Zach is such a wonderful kid, he is so loveable and he is a daily reminder on how we should really enjoy life, and how we should treat each other!! i love the daily family!!!
posted by MacKenzie Hudnut on 5/09/07 4:07: PM

That was truly a beautiful video. I still have chills. I have the good fortune to be an eigth grader at Zach's school. Although I do not know him very well, I have been blessed to have been able to talk to him a few times during track meets, and had the pleasure of seeing him at various basketball games. What imagination and creativity Zach has! He shows so much concern and support for his fellow students and team mates, and is always so optimistic! He is a wonderful child with an incredible passion for life and fun, and is an inspiration to me as well as many others I'm sure! If everyone was just a little more like Zach, the world would without a doubt be a more beautiful, loving place! Thanks Zach, and thanks Mrs. Dailey for posting this wonderful video!
posted by Emily on 5/09/07 2:33: PM

This video took my breath away. What a heartfelt, exquisitely told story. I am sitting here, trying to express feelings I can't even identify. Those of us who have not faced this problem with our own children can never truly understand, but this helps us try. Thank you for sharing this gift with me and all the others who were fortunate enough to see it.
posted by Bobbi Linkemer on 5/09/07 2:24: PM

Beautiful video! Zach is special. I love how many of his friends/classmates wrote inspiring things about him. LOVE is all we need. Blessings!
posted by Gahana on 5/09/07 10:00: AM

I never really had the chance to get to know Zach very well, but the one thing i do know about him is that he always has something good to say. Before the track meets or Track practice he would always have encouragement for us. He is definately one of the cutest kids I know. I think he is a great inspiration to everyone. He always has something good to say. He always has a good attitude and is never in a bad mood. Zach, anytime you want a hug or a high five I would definately love to give you both. Zach, don't ever let anyone bring you down because people love you for who you are. You can definately tell from all of the comments you have already received and people are truly typing comments that are coming from their heart...
posted by Torey Byrd on 5/08/07 8:40: PM

My name is Brady Luther, and I am an 8th grade student at Columbia Middle School. I played baseball, basketball, and ran track which were all of the sports that Zach so happend to manage. Zach is one of the most amazing kids I have ever met in my life. Spending time with him was a true blessing. Wilson Babb is one of my good friends and I watch him and Zach exchange high fives and hugs and I laugh and before you know it you will be getting a high five too. That is what i love about Zach he always has something to cheer you up and put a huge smile on your face. In the locker room before basketball games he would always get us pumped up and ready to play, but really in my heart he was showing me what kind of amazing kid he is and how great of character he has. Every single game I would come out of the locker room with a smile on my face and plenty of times I played games with Zach in my head and in my heart. These times I spent with him will truly never be forgotten. Zach will always be in my thoughts and will always be my friend. I will never forget you Zach. Thank you Zach for all of the great times!
posted by Brady Luther on 5/08/07 8:09: PM

zach, what ever you do, do NOT give up on your dreams and goals in life. you can do what ever your heart wants to do! Dont let just one person bring you down! Also, you are an inspiration to all, and you really know how to pump a crowd at a baseball game! Keep making people smile and you will go far in life! Thank you Zach for truly inspiring me.
posted by Renee on 5/08/07 2:13: PM

Hi, this is Nate Leingang. Zach was the manager of the 7th and 8th grade basketball team last year and will be next season. I look forward to next basketball season with Zach because he was so much fun. He always had positive things to say even when we lost. I can't wait until next year!!
posted by Nathan Leingang on 5/08/07 1:32: PM

I teach at CMS and will have Zach in class next year. I am looking forward to having him as a part of my class. I have a son, Connor, who has Asperger's Syndrome and who is one year older than Zach. I have had many of the same experiences (leaving a store because people were not understanding of his behaviors). My son is not as lucky as Zach. Many of his teachers are not understind, class mates think it is funny to provoke his behaviors, and I have had people at my church tell me I shouldn't bring him there. I wish for a world of understanding for my child.
posted by Teresa Fehrenz on 5/08/07 11:18: AM

Hi. My name is Amanda Krebel. I am a 8th grader at Zachs school. I think that Zach has touched everyones life a little. He was the guys basketball manager this past year. Zach rides my bus and is accepted by everyone. People let him listen to their ipods, talk to him, and sit by him on the bus. Its amazing how our school accepts someone that is so different and yet so simila. It makes me happy, maybe our world will start to change. All people are equal and should be accepted!
posted by Amanda Krebel on 5/08/07 9:21: AM

Hi, my name is Chris Buesking and I go to school with Zach at Columbia Middel School. I have Physical Education class with Zach every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. He is the best person I have ever saw according to that he has autism. He is a greta kid and is nice to everyone.
posted by Chris Buesking on 5/08/07 7:51: AM

Hi, my name is Chris Buesking and I go to school with Zach at Columbia Middel School. I have Physical Education class with Zach every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. He is the best person I have ever saw according to that he has autism. He is a greta kid and is nice to everyone.
posted by Chris Buesking on 5/08/07 7:51: AM

Zach, you are an amazing person. Don't let something little like this keep you from reaching your dreams.
posted by taylor white on 5/08/07 7:50: AM

Wow! Zach has a lot of support...what a lucky family. I'm very inspired by Kim Dailey and hope for a world like this one, too. I remember parking my shopping cart in the middle of the aisle for the same reason! I was crying and laughing at the same time. I've been told that "he needs to learn to listen better"...well, don't I wish it were that easy. I wish for a world with less ignorance and more empathy. I believe that with parents like Kim and others from this website, WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We have to....
posted by Heather on 5/08/07 7:41: AM

My wife an I attend church with Zach and his family. I've often been smiling just because of something he did or said. So it seems to me that by God's design, Zach is special, his parents are very special, ordinary moments become special, and everyone around him can realize sudden blessings, by a surprise smile, or a thought and blessing that stays with you the rest of the day or week. Seems like more love is around. God Bless.
posted by Bill Thomas on 5/08/07 6:58: AM

As I sit here with tears streaming down my face, I am reminded of all my blessings. Thank you for sharing your son with me.
posted by Rissa on 5/08/07 3:05: AM