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>Very nice story Yendor. Yes, we live in different >times now. It was not all good tho back then. Matt was >fortunate that he was not sent away to an institution >which was the "norm" back then. We have all grown up >in an era of science, believing that science can do >anything. you know the old "if we can send a man to >the moon..." saying. Just not true, but still we keep >believing that there must be a cure, a fix, a >something that we cannot even name that will help >someway some how. I don't live in a small town, i live >in a large metropolitan area. My grandsons, ages 11 >and 8, are AS and more classic kanner's. The schools >have been abominable, not wanting them, telling us >they have no program for them. This is the richest >district in the state. My daughter moved to a small >town last year and that tiny school (1 class per >grade) has been falling all over themselves to give >the boys whatever support they need to succeed. >(Except Ryan's teacher who wants him out of her >class...IEP next Thurs...we will see sigh)So, yes, I >think smal towns have somewhat been able to maintain a >more personal careing attitude toward people but then >again...the Aryan Nation folks seems to like small >town living too. Just no good answers for all out >there. >Lorelie > > >>When I was 10 years old our family moved to a new part >>of town and it was there that I encountered “Matt”, >>who was about 18 at the time. He was a major feature >>of the neighbourhood and spent much of his time >>driving around the streets. >> >>Matt was perhaps the world’s best driver. He never >>exceeded the speed limit and would always stop his >>truck to allow pedestrians to cross the road. His >>driving technique was almost perfect. Matt would shift >>down through the gears to a walking speed, then lean >>out of his cab and tip his hat as he drove by. Then, >>once safely past, he would quickly change up through >>the gears again and speed off down the road. >> >>Twelve years later, when I left for a new life in >>North America, Matt was still driving the streets of >>my hometown and, from what I heard, he continued to do >>so for many years after. During all that time he never >>bought a new truck – his was always in tiptop >>condition. He would spend many hours washing it and >>maintaining the engine and could often be seen at the >>side of the road with his head under the hood. >> >>I’ve often wondered about Matt - he would be in his >>60s now. If he’s still cruising the streets then I’d >>bet my life savings that he’s driving the same truck. >>You see, Matt was autistic and his truck existed only >>in his mind and in the minds of all those who knew and >>loved him. >> >>As far as I know, Matt never went to school but >>instead spent his days driving his truck around the >>streets. He obeyed all the rules of the road while >>shuffling along the road next to the curb at about 1 >>mph. With hands clasped firmly on steering wheel and >>gearshift he would head off down the road making all >>the appropriate engine noises as he changed gear. At >>stop signs he would sway forward as he came to a halt >>and, when pulling away, would lean backwards as the >>acceleration pushed him into his “seat”. >> >>I often wonder how Matt would have fared in today’s >>environment. There were no bureaucrats handing out >>money and special services in those days. Yet I wonder >>sometimes if perhaps the Matts of this world weren’t >>better off than the kids of today are. Families now >>live isolated from one another and must turn to the >>state for help. Matt, after all, had the shared love >>and support of the whole community - family, >>neighbours and friends – in a society that valued >>people for what they were, not for what society >>thought they should be. Unfortunately, people today >>are uncomfortable with anyone who is different and >>they try very hard to make them conform to a “deemed” >>normality. >> >>As someone who lives happily on the fringes of your >>alien world, I get very nervous when I hear terms like >>“behavioral intervention”, “Skinner box”, and "autism" >>spoken in the same breath.
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