Time to Shout Out Our Advocates

One of the factors that often gets misconstrued when we’re discussing ableism or more rights for developmentally disabled folks is the support and understanding we do already receive. It’s unfortunately true that a good deal of the neurotypical population ranges everywhere from considering us an odd curiosity to a tragic problem in desperate need of fixing; but thankfully, not all of the fully cognitively and physically capable people feel that way. As part of Autism Pride and Autism Acceptance Month, I believe we’d be remiss if we didn’t give a shout-out to our advocates.

There are many, many teachers, doctors, therapists, parents, siblings, and friends who love us as we are and encourage us to go out and change the world for autists. There are legal and judiciary authorities who are willing to learn more about our conditions and our needs. Every day, we come into contact with people who want to help us, not simply judge and condemn us.

Recently, White Fang won an essay contest on “What it means to be an American” hosted by our local library. The prizes were presented last night, and at the library was our district Assemblywoman, who has helped me fight the battle with town officials when White Fang experienced a wrongful arrest in February. Thanks to her, the situation did not go unaddressed, and I was able to have a productive meeting with the mayor and town board, and we got  White Fang a free ID card that’s designed to assist first responders in dealing properly with developmentally disabled individuals.

For me, I feel it was an honor that White Fang had the chance to meet her and thank her in person. It turns out she was rather taken with my boy, and felt the same.

We’re still struggling with White Fang’s current school, but for the fall he has been accepted to a charter school that’s big on inclusion. The classes are small, the building has an easy layout, the teachers are more relaxed, the students more engaged. No one seems to care that my student is neurodivergent, and I can’t see this place putting up a fight about carrying out the special education regulations. More schools like this have been opened across the country in the last several years, to try to help kids who usually slip through the cracks in “typical” public academia from doing so. Parents who cried out for these systems are being heard.

The other night, I was interviewed by a college student who selected me as the subject of her class project after reading this blog. (What she didn’t see in the background of the Skype window was White Fang using his replica katana to fix a broken dinosaur toy. Long story.) That’s not the sort of invitation that usually comes my way. It was quite flattering.

And every time I post something on the blog or social media about autism, there are always bunches of you that I can count on to like, share, comment, retweet, and my appreciation for this backing is neverending. I’ve become part of a tight and cheerful community that welcomes and accepts and makes it all better when in-person life is just getting to be too much. It can’t be understated, how important all of you are to me and those of us who feel isolated too often.

So, keep it up. Keep your ears open and your minds expanding and your voices raised. Thank you.