The Invisible Ones

Written By: Jim Gaffney

BACKSTORY

In a lifetime punctuated by autism, there have been many times where I felt as though autism had defeated me, but surrender has never been an option. I have experienced and witnessed the impact of autism on individuals and families and the results can be profound and sometimes devastating. My love of music compelled me to write this song as an anthem for all those on the spectrum and for the families that love and care for them. This song was written on the eve of my 55th birthday. As I reflect on my life, I see a journey marked by progress and obstacles, moments of success and times of struggle, all of which have helped shape the autistic adult I am today. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the love and support of those closest to me. They have each shared this struggle with me and for that I am eternally grateful.

[Verse 1]

We're born to this world fit and strong

But that doesn't seem to last for long

We got wired different than the rest

And survival became a lifelong quest

She walks down the hallway, eyes to the floor

Trouble awaits beyond every door

They say, “She’s shy,” but they don’t see

The world feels different inside of me

He stims to the rhythm of silence and sound

Folks call him “strange” when he’s not around

He speaks in patterns, songs, and signs

But no one listens between the lines

[Chorus]

We are the children of the spectrum

(Oooooooo the invisible ones)

We feel too much, or not at all

Still we rise each time we fall

You may not know what we’re going through

But there’s a world inside us too

We are not broken, just unsung

(Oooooooo the invisible ones)

[Verse 2]

This life's been harsh, seldom kind

I'm tested by the hands of time

Would I fall or would I climb

One day that decision'd be just mine

They call me slow, passive and shy

But they never ask why I look at the sky

It’s where I go when I can’t get it right  

A quiet escape from the unending fight  

Friends come and go, like shifting sands

Yet still we reach out with open hands

Don’t need no fixing, don’t need no cures

Just searching for kindness on enemy shores 

[Chorus]

We are the children of the spectrum

(Oooooooo the invisible ones)

We feel too much, or not at all

Still we rise each time we fall

You may not know what we’re going through

But there’s a world inside us too

We are not broken, just unsung

(Oooooooo the invisible ones)

[Bridge]

The world's called us silent for far too long

But they've never heard our beautiful song

We've fought this war since the day we were born

And still we rise with each new dawn

What if the things they told us were wrong

Were the very same things that made us so strong

(Oooooooo the invisible ones)

[Chorus]

We are the children of the spectrum

(Oooooooo the "visible" ones)

The time has come for us to rise 

And look the world in the eyes

To break the chains and reclaim our lives

To chase the dreams where our future lies

You may not know what we’re going through

But inside there’s a fire that’s burning true

We're unbroken, we’re singin’ along

(Oooooooo the "visible" ones)

[Outro]

So here we stand in our rightful place

Every family, every face

Deserving of love, and time and space 

Dignified members of the human race

Proud to be parents, daughters and sons

Proud to be the “visible” ones