jews d

“The fun doctor” helps
unlock the potential
of young children
with autism.

Alan Muskovitz

Contributing Writer

I

find if I spend enough time on Facebook, I
eventually see something really good. That’s
how I discovered the video of Ben Gretchko
delivering a commencement speech on June 4 at
his graduation from Birmingham Seaholm High
School.
Ben’s commencement speech has made the
rounds on social media and, dare I say, his four-
minute address was far more meaningful than
the Facebook posts of funny animal videos I
scrolled passed. He was simply amazing. And
inspiring. And popular — the video of his speech
posted on the Autism Speaks’ Facebook page has
amassed more than 2.2 million views.

Ben has autism. He didn’t begin speaking until
he was about 4 years old and, even then, accord-
ing to his mother, Lisa Gretchko, “his words were
unintelligible.” But to Lisa and Ben’s father, Steve,
whatever Ben was trying to say was music to
their ears because they were told to prepare for
the possibility that Ben might never utter a word.
What I couldn’t figure out is this: How did a kid
like Ben grow from a nonverbal child with autism
to an incredibly articulate and poised 18-year-
old commencement speaker who recently had
to decide which college to attend (because he
got admitted to four universities!). How did that
happen?
I’ve known Lisa for many years; our parents
were lifelong friends. However, I didn’t learn the
details about Ben’s miraculous journey until I
called to wish her and Steve a mazel tov and to
express how moved I was by their son’s speech.
After a long talk, I suggested that Ben’s inspira-
tional story should be shared with our Jewish
News readers. Lisa and Steve had a suggestion of
their own.
It turns out that Ben already had, what the

continued on page 12

10

September 21 • 2017

jn

Ben Gretchko, a student with autism, spoke at his graduation
from Seaholm High School on June 4.

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

Let’s P L A Y

Dr. Richard Solomon
interacts with
Max Herbas, 5, of
Philadelphia during
an appointment in
his Ann Arbor office.

USED WITH PERMISSION ©LIFETOUCH NATIONAL SCHOOL STUDIOS INC.

on the cover

in
the

