Jayelan Lee

“I love writing poems at the Bibra lake Wetlands, with nature all around us.”

Heartlines explores what it means to write – from the heart and soul – and where that writing takes us. Every writer’s journey is different, so we invite you to take a moment to read, pause and reflect on what it means to shape stories for the page.

My name is Jayelan Lee. I am a tenacious 18 years old young man with autism. I have limited verbal communication and body apraxia. My hobbies are cycling, dancing, baking, reading, going to the gym and hiking. I started writing a memoir about my journey with autism when I was 12 but have found that I lacked the skill to write effectively, therefore it was left unfinished.

I have a passion for being an autism advocate. For the last few years of school, I have been presenting at universities, conferences and organisations with the help of a communication partner. I prepare my speech beforehand, and my communication partner reads it out for me. Sometimes, I also write poems to be included in my presentation. I am passionate about creating autism awareness, especially for non-verbal autistic individuals. That is why I need to improve my writing so my message can be loud and clear to reach the audience.

Centre for Stories: What is your most surprising hobby or interest?

Jayelan Lee: My most surprising hobby is visiting museums, exhibitions and musicals. A lot of people thought I don’t have the intelligence level to appreciate those things.

CFS: Are you reading or watching anything at the moment?

Left to right: Lakshmi Kanchi (Mentor), Aemy Chan (Jayelan’s mum and communicator), Jayelan Lee (Mentee).

JL: I am watching a K-drama called “Forecasting Love and Weather”. It is about romantic love in the forecasting Bureau in Korea. I am also started to watch NCIS as I am intrigue with criminal investigations. As for books, I am just about to read The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do following watching him live.

CFS: Why do you write?

JL: I write because I can’t speak well. Not able to speak doesn’t mean I am not thinking or have nothing to say. I have lots of thoughts to convey. I like to share my perspective as an autistic individual with limited speech.

CFS: What did you enjoy about working with your mentor?

JL: Lakshmi is very approachable and easygoing. She encouraged and guided me to let my thoughts flow to create poems. She is very flexible and accommodates my needs.

CFS: What writing did you work on with your mentor?

JL: We wrote poems about nature and how I am part of it. I love writing poems at the Bibra lake Wetlands, with nature all around us.

CFS: What are you working on next?

JL: I have just started to learn how to play badminton and snorkelling. I am also looking forward to doing more presentations to share with others my lived experience being on the autism spectrum.

My name is Jayelan Lee. I am a tenacious 18-year-old young man with autism. I have limited verbal communication and body apraxia. My hobbies are cycling, dancing, baking, reading, going to the gym and hiking.

Writing Change, Writing Inclusion is Centre for Stories’ signature writing program for 2021 to 2024. Generously funded by The Ian Potter Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, My Place, and Centre for Stories Founders Circle, this writing program features mentoring, hot desk, and publication opportunities for emerging writers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and/or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

These stories have been licensed to the Centre for Stories by the Storyteller. For reproduction and distribution of these stories, please contact the Centre for Stories.

This interview was published on 6 March 2024.