Michael Del Castillo

The Putsch & Me Michael Del Castillo

The word "Putsch" meaning a violent attempt to overthrow a government: was the nickname given to Cristina Del Castillo who despite being labeled disabled from birth was a miracle in disguise. Cristina had an optimism that became one of her best qualities, and earned her lots of followers and friends at a young age. Girls and boys were both attracted to her, for her glee, often hidden behind a down to earth sense of reality in her own world. Growing up outside of Chicago Cristina was a different child, special, and very easy to get along with in real life. Then the spells took a hold, and she began to act in a way that seemed possessed. As she grew older, she was surrounded by a never-ending puzzle. And she was never able to communicate fully in any language. Having to find other ways to communicate such as a talker with action buttons, sign language, and notably many speech therapists who were unable to cure her autism in real life. Being autistic she learned how to do things differently than others including swimming and traveling with her family. This novel chronicles her journey from child hood into adult hood, and her ongoing life with autism.