Friends and families gathered to celebrate, reflect, and share new hopes on April 12 in Chelmsford at the Autism Celebration and Recognition Gathering at the Xiangfu Community Center.
The event served as a continuation of the Autism Awareness Symposium held April 5–6 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (see Sampan.org for more). Xiangfu Community Center has long supported multicultural communities through education, culture, and wellness programs. The center’s director, Mr. Jerry Wang, provided support in organizing and executing the event.
The celebration was hosted by Dr. Xue-Jun (June) Kong of Harvard Medical School — president of ACMES and the director of the Synapse Laboratory at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Kong is also a founding Director of the Autism Neurodiversity Institute. She reflected on the symposium’s success, emphasizing the selfless dedication of youth and student volunteers.
Dr. Kong called for ongoing collaboration across the U.S. and internationally — among researchers, practitioners, educators, and family advocates — to build a more integrated and compassionate network. She expressed hope that this year’s strategies and lessons would be shared widely to reach more families in need.
Also that day, Raymond Wang, a graduate student on the autism spectrum, gave a rendition of “Marry the Night.” Gang Lu, Secretary General of ACMES, and his wife Ms. Xiaohua Qian performed a ballroom dance. Maggie Peng, mother of filmmaker Amber Huang, performed a classical operatic duet with Jerry Wang.
A special recognition ceremony honored the youth volunteers of Autism Awareness Day with official certificates. Additionally, 10 autistic artists and their families who participated in the art exhibition received commemorative art albums as a gesture of encouragement and remembrance.
Guests exchanged stories and experiences, performed karaoke, and played ping pong and billiards.
At the close of the celebration, the author of this story composed and shared a classical-style lyric titled “The Snowy Gathering — A Song of Youth and Spring,” a tribute to the spirit and strength of our shared journey:
The Snowy Gathering — A Song of Youth and Spring
(Inspired by the classical Chinese form: Shui Diao Ge Tou)
Snowflakes glow on reunion,
Footsteps stride into thawing spring.
The youth share quiet duties,
Lending strength with silent grace.
Tables aligned, mics in hand,
Speech voices never pause,
They serve with mindful care.
Though no words declare it,
Sincerity lives in all.
Where cups are raised, hearts resound, thoughts endure.
Let the thread of warmth remain,
Passing through frost and time.
Not for fame or praise they serve,
But that all mountains may echo,
And small flames may connect.
This day — in fullest bloom —
We breathe the wind of youth.
