frontlines

Beach Boys Give Autistic Man
A Connection To The World

Leslie Spector
JN Intern

F

or Brett Werner, 22, of West Bloomfield, not a day
goes by without seeing or hearing the Beach Boys.
As Brett was growing up, his family noticed he still
wasn't developing properly. They took him to physicians, who
diagnosed him with nonverbal autism at age 11/2.
"I tried everything to get him to talk and to get him phys-
ically going," said Dr. Mark Werner, Brett's father. "Then I
thought, 'Maybe the best way to do this is through music.
Sometimes singing might bring out talking.
"I grew up in the '60s and, at that time, the best music
was by the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Brett liked the
Beach Boys better so I bought all their CDs, DVDs and vid-
eos of them in concert. The only thing he can say is 'Beach
Boys:"
Radio station WOMC-FM (104.3), Freedom Hill and
Channel 7 News made Brett's dreams come true by giving
him two free, front-row seats to the band's Aug. 2 concert
and by setting up a meet and greet with the Beach Boys.
This was Brett's 10th Beach Boys concert.
"We spent about a half hour with the band, and I told
them I see and hear their music every single day," Dr.
Werner said. "They didn't realize how much their music
meant to people. They were really blown away that every
day my son listens to them and watches their videos.
Autistic kids tend to fixate on one thing, this is Brett's
thing. He's like a little Beach Boy."
Beach Boy Mike Love said to Brett, "I am humbled by
your love of our music. I never thought that I would be
listening to a story like yours. I am touched in ways I never
imagined by your love and passion for our music. I am

JN CONTENTS

PRESENTS

Beach Boys Mike Love and Bruce Johnston meet with
Brett Werner backstage at Freedom Hill.

grateful to be part of what brings you joy and happiness.
You have broadened my mind in terms of possibilities.
Thank you for being you, a terrific spirit and a joy to know."
Werner said, "I did this for Brett because I wanted the
Beach Boys to know how much they mean to my son. I
wanted them to know what they do for him every single
day. That was important to me."
Aside from the Beach Boys, Brett loves to go tubing and
boating with his three younger sisters and loves to go to
Pistons games and play basketball at the Jewish Community
Center with his dad.
"Without saying one word, Brett can spread love and
compassion to anyone that sees him, knows him or hears
about him," Werner said. "That's the beauty of it:'

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August 22-28 2013 I 16-22 Elul 5773 I Vol. CXLIV, No. 3

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