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Rachel Williams

Rachel Elizabeth Williams was the autistic daughter and only child of Jon Williams and Chrissie Williams. Born in California in 2001, she moved with her family from Sunnyvale to Portland, Oregon, during winter 2013 and entered public school after previously learning at home with a private tutor. She was exceptionally intelligent, with an IQ in the 140s, and spoke in a notably formal, rigid manner during early adolescence.

Early Life and Background

Rachel grew up in the chosen-family household formed by Jon, Chrissie, Michael Bell, and Lizzie Henderson. Her middle name, Elizabeth, honored Lizzie while Lizzie was alive and carried memorial significance after her death. Lizzie remained part of the household during Rachel’s childhood.

Lizzie died from medical complications when Rachel was ten or eleven, approximately 2011–2012. Michael remained part of Rachel’s family as an uncle figure after Lizzie’s death.

Education

Rachel was homeschooled with a private tutor through elementary school and part of middle school. She was an early, precocious speaker and learned in a setting that allowed close individual attention. By middle school, her academic performance placed her alongside Zoey Thomas at the top of their class.

In winter 2013, Jon’s Intel transfer took the family from Sunnyvale, California, to Portland. Rachel entered public school in the middle of the school year at approximately eleven or twelve. She had strongly resisted the proposed change from home education before the move.

Main article: Rachel Williams’s First Day at Portland Public School (Winter 2013)

Personality and Communication

At approximately eleven or twelve, Rachel spoke in a formal, rigid manner and often answered questions directly and factually. Her schoolwork and personal materials were methodical and precisely organized. Gabe’s nickname for her, “California,” began on her first day at the Portland school and remained part of their shared history.

Health and Disabilities

Rachel was autistic. Her formal communication, preference for clear information, and difficulty with loud environments were recurring parts of her daily life. On her first day of public school, a printed school map and highlighted route helped her navigate the unfamiliar building.

Family and Core Relationships

Jon and Chrissie Williams

Jon and Chrissie raised Rachel together in California and Portland. Jon managed fibromyalgia and migraines alongside his engineering career, while Chrissie lived with Down syndrome, autism, intellectual disability, epilepsy, sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism. Their household used direct communication and predictable routines.

As Rachel grew older, she took a more active role during some family outings.

Lizzie Henderson and Michael Bell

Lizzie was part of Rachel’s household during her early childhood. Rachel’s middle name honored Lizzie at birth and later also memorialized her. Michael also lived within the chosen-family household and remained part of Rachel’s family after Lizzie’s death.

Friendships and Social Connections

After entering public school in Portland, Rachel became friends with Zoey Thomas and joined a wider social group that included Gabe Brooks and Darren Ross. Zoey walked Rachel between classes and invited her to sit with the group at lunch on her first day. The group provided her first peer relationships after homeschooling.

Romantic and Significant Relationships

Gabe Brooks

Main article: Gabe Brooks and Rachel Williams

Rachel met Gabe after transferring schools in winter 2013. They were friends for approximately three years before beginning a romantic relationship in high school, and the relationship later continued into marriage.

Gabe sometimes misunderstood Rachel’s communication or needs, but he apologized and changed his behavior when she told him that he had hurt or upset her.

Memorable Quotes

“I have Asperger’s syndrome. It is a form of autism. One of the characteristics is atypical speech patterns. I am aware that I sound different from other people my age. I do not know how to change it, and I am not certain I would want to if I could.”

(Source: Rachel Williams’s First Day at Portland Public School (Winter 2013))

“Thank you for asking. Most people do not ask. They simply stare or make assumptions.”

(Source: Rachel Williams’s First Day at Portland Public School (Winter 2013))

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