* Name (required):

  Expression ^{(Optional mood/title along with your name) Examples: (happy, sad, The Joyful, etc.) help)}

  E-mail address (optional):

* Type your message here:
>Cheryl, > >just so you know - many autistic people are disgusted >and deeply offended with expressions like "killing", >"defeating", "sending a missile into the heart" used >toward the condition they live with. > >This article is just another example that an autistic >person can be used as an obedient token to endorse >insults and abuse perpetuated against autistic people. >Note that the official media does not give opponents >of such lingo a chance to respond. > >Living and working with autism can be quite a >challenge (we all know that), but the word "killing" >is very inappropriate. > > >>I found this and thought i would share...so much of >>what she says i can imagine Daniel saying as well ... >> >>especially this part: "When the teacher is well pre- >>pared and assumes all students are capable, I sit >>quietly and behave. When the teacher is disor- ganized >>and assumes we are stupid, I can't control my >>outbursts." >> >>Seems like such a little thing that people with >>supposedly educated minds should be able to fathom but >>i guess because of their own inability to admit their >>own inabilities they deny its them... >> >>Cheryl >> >>>***************************************************** >** >>*** >>KILLING AUTISM IS A CONSTANT BATTLE >>Sue Rubin >>Whittier, CA >> >>[Editor's note: This article first appeared in the >>"Voices" section of the Los Angeles Times.] >>Autism always is with me. When I wake up every day, I >>greet the morning with screams. Then I always run >>through the house very fast, screaming. I am unable to >>control these move- ments. I would love to wake up >>peacefully. Because my motor skills are so poor, my >>mom helps me get dressed. Sometimes wanting to be >>independent kills autism enough so I can get partially >>dressed myself with a few verbal cues. I am always >>attempting to kill autism, but am rarely successful. >> >>Because of my handicap, I ride an awful yellow bus to >>Whittier High School. All the students in the bus are >>severely handicapped, and we are quite a sight. I >>sometimes scream and bang my head against the windows >>when I am frustrated with my handicap. The pain actu- >>ally is pleasant. Sometimes I scream and head- bang >>just so show how handicapped I am. Heroes demand >>worship; autistic people demand attention. >> >>At school I have an aide with me at all times. During >>most of the day, a few students share one aide. When >>the teacher is well pre- pared and assumes all >>students are capable, I sit quietly and behave. When >>the teacher is disor- ganized and assumes we are >>stupid, I can't control my outbursts. Awful feelings >>come over me and I have to leave the classroom. >> >>While in the classroom, I am able to listen and >>comprehend all that is said as long as I am sitting >>quietly. When I am overcome by emo- tions, I lose my >>ability to process information. At lunch, I eat away >>from autistic students be- cause they make me more >>autistic. I usually eat with an aide and a few regular >>students. At Whittier High, the students are used to >>bizarre behavior from those of us who are autistic. >>They are very accepting and always sympathize, but we >>tend to scare people with our unpredict- able noises >>and behavior, so we don't really have friends. >> >>After school, if I don't have a vision ther- apy >>appointment, I start my homework. Home- work really >>allows me to kill autism. All mad- ness disappears >>when I have to concentrate on facilitated >>communication (typing with support.) My mother and I >>spend about three or four hours a night doing homework >>and sometimes all weekend. All my actions such a >>screaming, jerking my body and banging my head are >>sup- pressed when I am typing. Killing autism is a >>constant battle. >> >>After a couple of hours of homework, I am ready to >>eat. I can help set the table by bringing things to >>the table, but I have trouble distributing them >>around. I know where every- thing should go, but my >>body doesn't cooperate. Now I am also able to bring >>things to my mother when she asks for them. I couldn't >>do this before I started typing because words just >>float- ed over my brain. Now I hear what people are >>saying. I can eat with a spoon and fork but I can't >>cut with a knife because my two hands don't work well >>together. After dinner, I help to clear off the >table. >> >>Back to homework until bedtime. After a bath, I can >>sleep most of the night. I am fortu- nate because many >>poeple with autism stay awake most of the night. >>Diseases like cancer are preferable to living like >>this -- not able to control your body, voice, emotions >>and thoughts. >> >> >>****************************************************** >* >>**
Choose Message Icon: None :-) Happy ;-) Wink :-D Joy :} Smirk <:-} Innocent ☮ Peace >:) Mischief B-) Shades <3 Heart |O Yawn <:P Sick >:-( Angry :~( Sad ? Question *!* Alert Thumbs Up Thumbs Down (!) Idea [Info] Info Oo. Talk [ View Emoticons ]

Notice: Copies of your message may remain on this and other systems on internet. Please be respectful.