Reflections
20 May 08 by jeff
Well, there haven’t been a lot of posts here recently. My eldest son has escaped an apartment that appears to be creating an allergic reaction in him, and has moved into the northeast corner of our one-room rented condo. He has – apparently – much to do on the computer each day, and I don’t have the heart, or energy, to boot him off the keyboard.
Besides, I’ve spent more time thinking than expounding lately.
I think I’m going to have to write a fairly universal letter that I can give to people who do not have any idea that the message from Autism Speaks is offensive. I’ve just received an email from the head of our department Diversity Team that asks everyone to march in the Autism Speaks Walkathon, so that we can “find a cure as soon as possible!” Part of why it hurt me was the usual “You have a terrible decease that we need to stamp out!” But a good-sized chunk of the pain comes from the fact that it is clearly not an intentional slight. They just don’t hear themselves talking, and aren’t empathetic enough to know what it means to someone to hear that they embody a great plague that needs to be eradicated post haste.
I think I’ll have to start from the beginning and speak gently. It just won’t work to start accusing people of being insensitive and cruel – true or not. And I’ll keep it as short as possible, so I don’t alienate those who really don’t have that much interest in things that don’t bother them personally.
I suppose I need to create this document anyway, for future use. Well, wish me luck….
Oh, by the way, the same person who sent that email has now asked me to take photos at a Diversity event here tomorrow. Wow.
Does this person know you are autistic? Argh.
Feel free to copy any material that you find helpful from any of my numerous posts about Autism Speaks:
http://autisticbfh.blogspot.com/search/label/Autism%20Speaks
A lot of people don’t realize how negative the message is. Don’t forget to share the letter once you write it. I’d be interested in reading it.
-Alex
I tried to post a comment a few minutes ago, but it seems to have disappeared. Anyway, feel free to copy any material you find helpful from my many posts on Autism Speaks. I hope you can educate this person on what diversity is really about.
Thanks, Folks. The trick seems to be getting it to cover as much as possible, as clearly as possible, in as few words as possible. People “outside” the neurodiversity battle only have so much attention they’re willing to give this.
Two pages, max. One page, preferred.
Yikes.