|
Shadowcat's Blog
Back to Blog Directory
An Aspie writes a letter to the Editor
posted at 12:46 am on 12-01-2008
Parents,
I heard of a story in the paper where some kids were picked up late at night when they were in a parking lot.
The question is, why did this happen?
It's bad because teenagers don't have anyplace to hang out at if they aren't of age to drink, and therefore cannot be in any clubs or bars. It's also dangerous because if they are drinking or doing drugs in a parking lot, things can happen to them.
It's much safer if they do it a Parent supervised area. This means a Teen Hangout. There are enough empty buildings here in town that can be used for the purpose of having a hangout for teens.
In the past, Teen Hanouts have closed because Someone brought drugs or teens drank. The question is: Why haven't the Parents found out why their kids are drinking and doing drugs? Another question is: Why was drinking and drugging the cause of closing Teen Hangouts instead of better Parental Supervision?
(Comments)
Shake, Rattle, and Roll at the Arc Dance
posted at 03:31 pm on 11-26-2008
A singing group that sings 50's tunes called Shake, Rattle, and Roll sang at the Arc for the Self Advocates.
They had a good time and danced to every song sang. They even sung along to "how much is that doggie in the window" saying "Arf, Arf!" as the chorus.
Suddenly a man had a seizure when he sat down after dancing. The medics were called when he fell out of his chair and lay very still on the floor. When they arrived he came to and was asked if he wanted to go to the hospital. He said "No." he was all right afterwards, but the fact he refused medical treatment probably says something about the state of our health in this country.
Nothing serious happened after that, and everyone was happy when the party was over in a half hour.
Also another guy shook the hand of the medic when they were there at the dance and said "Thank you." the medic looked confused, but shook the man's hand. Why is it required that people with disabilities be grateful about things that NT's usually are not? Why is the Socialization always the direct opposite from how you're supposed to behave?
I had a good time anyway.
(Comments)
At the POAC meeting (a Rant)
posted at 01:09 am on 11-24-2008
I was so embarrased when I went to go to a POAC (parents of Autistic Children) and it wasn't in the church where it was supposed to be.
The lady said they were having a birthday party and the meeting wasn't scheduled on the Church calender. I felt so mad. Why don't parents of Autistic children have any supports in the community? Why isn't there baby sitting for the mother of four children with Autism?
There is never any help or support for people who have autism, but there seem to be supports for other things wrong in the community, and people need to ask themselves why is this? Thanks for listening.
(Comments)
An Aspie Child goes Trick or Treating on Holloween (Warning for Parents)
posted at 01:29 am on 10-24-2008
A nine year old child with Asperger Syndrome went trick or treating. Mr. F. invited her and her little sister inside his house and his wife gave them candy.
Her dad yelled at her and said, "You're not supposed to go into the houses of people you don't know!" She was mad because her dad had enough time to at least get to know who this neighbor was. She had moved into the neighborhood a few months ago. She knew the neighbor, but her dad didn't bother to know who the neighbor was.
Her dad told her mom. Her mom asked her if this neighbor did this to others. She said she didn't know.
Parents, get to know your neighbors before your kids go trick or treating. This is what her dad should have done, he should have gone in the house with his kids or he should have taken the candy from the neighbor and said, "Don't invite my kids into your house because I don't know you." The next day, the mom should have told the neighbor what he did was very insulting to her kids.
All children deserve to be safe at Holloween. Why do we put up with less when a child has a disability? It makes me mad and is insulting to the Child who Has a Disability.
(Comments)
The Gossip Girl goes to the Arc Wine and Cheese Party
posted at 02:40 am on 10-16-2008
Tiffany B did something called "Replanting." It means you take money from someone else's wallet and "Plant" it somewhere else. She took $200 from a wallet and placed it into Hers. Naughty, naughty, she'll go to Jail Someday. She believes that since she got by with it in school, she always will.
Candi B has Downs Syndrome and her mother didn't dress her right. She wore a black skirt that revealed she didn't wear a slip. Some people who sat where she was standing saw Everything. Her panties were visible under the footlights she was standing by during the Auction held for the Arc, but no one said a word. She also had a painting given to her when she blurted out "$65."" for a bid on a painting no one wanted, because no one bid before her.
The Wine and Cheese Gala at the Art Museum was a hit. It will be repeated next year, and hopefully Martha M. won't get drunk on seven glasses of wine. Martha M. was a good Runner, but then she got drunk.
The Arc made $700 in donations that night.
XOXO You know You love Me. Gossip Girl.
(Comments)
What happens when an Aspie goes to Vegas
posted at 12:13 am on 09-18-2008
1. Sees a guy that looks like Lute, in that comic strip "Hagar the Horrible" at the Venician.
2. Seeing a man selling water for a dollar by showing you a handful of ice.
3. Belt of mountains around the city.
4. Bright lights at night and a shining Sun in the day.
5. A night watchman at the elevators in the hotel.
6. Watching someone play "I dream of Jeanie" game and lose.
7. Watching same person play "Dirty harry" game and lose bigger.
8. A cop says "Semper Fi." as you pass him in the hallway.
9. Walking by an ad and wondering why Rita Rudner is a big star. We thought she was a has been.
10. Wondering if any of this is true. Priceless.
(Comments)
A Guy putting Inclusion into practice
posted at 11:55 pm on 09-01-2008
A man at the Self Advocate Conference in Houston, Texas, joined another Self Advocate group. they went to a bar on Sixth Street. The Problem?
The guy didn't tell his Housemother or Anybody else where he was going. He caused a Panic.
His group went crazy looking for him. the police in the Hotel, bicycle police, and strangers were helping to look for the guy.
Finally Someone said they saw him in a group that went to a bar called Puzzles (fake name). the police took him in their car, and took him back to the Hotel where his group was waiting for him. He had been gone for two hours. It was Friday night at 11:00 pm when he disappeared. the other Houseparent was sorry he didn't ask the guy if he had permission to leave, but the guy was an Adult.
The next day he was told to apologize to Everyone he had worried. He said he was sorry, later he said to the Houseparent that he was dropping out of the Self Advocate Group at Home, and he wasn't going to the Self Advocate Conference the next year.
This is a story about how Inclusion isn't always the right Idea for the Situation.
(Comments)
At the Self Advocate Conference in Austin, Texas
posted at 07:51 pm on 08-31-2008
It was wonderful. I got picked to be a board member of the Arc of Texas representing Gregg County. I was so so surprised because I saw other people get called up to the front of the room as board members for next year. I wasn't expecting anyhting, and suddenly, my name was called. I was so happy. I loved it.
In other news, the Arc of gregg County was picked as Chapter of the Year. It was based (the award, of course) on community inclusion of people with disabilities, pride in the Arc (painting party), and fundraisers aimed at helping people who have disabilities in the community (duck races anyone?). It was great to recieve that award and the first time our new leader was to be given it. She didn't know what to say except, "Thank You, for this award."
It was a wonderful night.
(Comments)
I am Frustrated
posted at 03:30 pm on 08-16-2008
I am Frusterated a the lack of people who come to the POAC (Parents of Autistic children) meetings.
We try to get the word out to the community, but very few people show up at these meetings. It makes me feel that what I'm doing is wrong, and the Community where I live doesn't want children or anybody who has autism out in public. Am I wrong to feel this way?
We were going to have a showing of two films about Autism, and only two people showed up to see them. Is it because it's still Summer and the kids haven't gone back to school yet?
We are also going to have a Conference in October, about Autism, do you all think that we'll get more people involved because it's Back to School Time?
I hope so.
(Comments)
My Authentic Life
posted at 05:33 pm on 07-24-2008
I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and I didn't have a Learning Disability.
I was born on January 15, 1970. there was no speech delay, no walking later in life, and I was good at math and science.
In the seventh grade. I was in band, and the band won top honors. I played the claranet.
Later in high school I was a cheerleader, learned French, the lead in every school play, and was an honor student. I married my high school sweetheart, E.N. and we had three kids: Lana (a girl), Joey (a boy), and Anthony (another boy).
Best of all, my dad wasn't an alcoholic and didn't abuse me.
(Comments)
Book Review
posted at 02:28 am on 04-10-2008
I read a book called "The Elephant in the Playroom" by Denice Brody. It was a great read because it had different essays in it by parents of children with various diagnosis and even had a glossery page of unfamiliar terms about learning disabilities. It made me feel less ashamed and hopeful of the Future.
(Comments)
An Aspie goes to MGM Walt Disney World
posted at 01:17 am on 03-12-2008
She felt better because she had always wanted to go to Hollywood. She still has trouble with the baby (her nephew) because of lack of experience. She doesn't know that Nerotypicals screw up as they learn things. The sign on the store awning said: "Mickey's of Hollywood" instead of "Frederick's." She found that funny. The Muppet's 3D movie needs to continue as far a she's concerned. Ariel's Adventure was like watching a Broadway show to her her. She liked it better than the Magic Kingdom and wants to return to it. She liked the Belle, Beauty and the Beast show in the amphitheater. It was great, another Broadway type show. she liked how the lady dressed as a Sundae just pulled her skirt down and the ice cream was her hat.
(Comments)
An Aspie at Disney World
posted at 01:07 am on 03-01-2008
She got in front of a person in a wheelchair and her sister yelled at her to ge tout of the way, and she went in the opposite direction of where her sister told her. She forgot her niece was on the bed near her and bonked her head with her knee. She felt bad because when a Nurotypical does that, it's called an hones tmistake, when she does it, it's called a crime. she loved listening to music. It made her feel good. In the bathroom she used two towles because she put one on the floor, becaus eshe didn't want to do without the way Nurotypicals do. Walt disney World was lovely to her becaus eof the blend of old, familiar stuff and some new things. She decided she would go there again, but without her family bcause she was so abusive to them.
(Comments)
Painting party at the Arc
posted at 02:33 am on 02-18-2008
The Arc of Gregg County had the classrooms painted a bright blue. It matches the cheerful demeaner of the clients at the Arc.
One lady, a Self Advocate, said she goes for the Day Hab program five days a week and is proud that the Arc was getting a facelift.
Another Self Advocate said that she is taking pride in her community aand she hopes it will continue.
Still another Self Advocate (a man) said that he is proud to be helping out and is glad he is able to do something.
The Arc Program director said that she is grateful that this could happen.
All commets were captured by the local news.
The dad of one of the Self Advocates said that after seeing this clip on the news that hopefully others will see people with disabilities doing something and ask themselves how they can help them, since the Self Advocates have shown pride in doing somehting for themselves.
On the other hand, it might work in reverse and Others will believe that people with disabilities don't need their help, and won't give help. (hope fully not).
(Comments)
At The POAC meeting
posted at 01:08 am on 06-24-2007
First of all, POAC stands for (Parents of Autistic Children). It is intened to be a support group for parents in order to get services for their children in an area that has no services.
Anyway, a guy from the Arc gave a talk aobut the history of the Advocacy Movement. In his slide show the words "Retarded" (the "R" word!) was used, because the text was in the language of current information.
His daughter, who has Downs Syndrome, got upset everytime the word was mentioned. He kept telling her that wasn't personal and this is because people didn't have the correct information a while ago. The current term now is PERSON WITH RETARDATION. (My dad is confused by this, but he was just curious, he isn't blaming people, just upset that now her has to be PC.)
Anyway it made me realize how far the Movement to include persons with any disabilities. they are a person first, not the disability.
The bad news is people who don't want this change, will ahve to adjust in the near future, because this idea isn't going away. It's also about time people with disabilities be included in the Community, and I am so glad I was born 50 years after Rosemary Kennedy got "fixed." I read in a book called "the Kennedy Women" by barbara Gibson, who said she always felt that Rosemary had Asperger Syndrome, not full blown RETARDATION.
(Comments)
My Poem
posted at 05:27 pm on 06-17-2007
Three People
Somebody knew that Abuse of People with Disabilities was going on.
Everyone thought this was a Problem in the Community, but,
Nobody did Anything about It.
Everybody thought that vacations were great.
Sombody asked why a Group Home gets taken to Austin, Texas and not Padre Island.
Nobody had a clue as to why this was So.
Somebody decided to use People First Language.
Everybody though that it was great way to Educate the Public about the Rights of Citizens with Disabilities but,
Nobody bothered to Learn the New Language. So as a result,
Everybody got Confused and still said, "Disabled People." instead of, "People with Disabilities."
Everybody was confused by the hostle Discrimination Suits that happened, because Somebody got Angry. It was Something Nobody saw coming(!)
The result?
Everybody was Confused by all of the Hate and Chaos that happened, because Somebody made a Change that NObody was ready for.
(Comments)
I saw something interesting
posted at 05:04 pm on 05-29-2007
At a kindergarden graduation in a Catholic School I saw something unusual.
When the awards were given out, a boy who had a crooked arm and a shambling walk was given an award for being the best Athletic Manager.
I have never seen this done in a Public School and wondered why not? It made me think that this is why the Public School is falling behind in an area it shouldn't, including people with disabilities and using their abilities to the fullest potential.
I also thought of another little girl in a diffrent private school who was voted Homecoming Queen at her school last year. Again I have yet to see this in the Public Schools.
So inclusion is the key. No wonder Home Schoolong and Pirvate Schools have done a little better than the Public Schools. If the Public Schools are going to improve, then this is where it needs to start.
I went to a Public School and now I realize why I graduated high school without any job skills, no one knew what inclusion was or how to do it.
For years I thought it was me who fell behind.
(Comments)
Autism Conference
posted at 06:15 pm on 04-30-2007
last week I went to an Autism/Asperger Syndrome Conference.
It was fun meeting Temple Grandin who said that she's all for people with Autism/Asperger Syndrome to have jobs in the Community. She also said the diffrence between her brain and a Normal one was that she thought in pictures. She had pictures, slides, and drawings to illustrate her talk.
Sean Barron did a talk on whose your friend and who isn't.
Jennifer mciiwee meyers said that she is happy being a Geek and it should be celebrated, not somehting to be ashamed of.
The Young Adult Panel was great to listen too because it's better to listen to people overcoming odds when they say it themselves, not an expert in the field of Autism/Asperger Syndrome.
Everyone should try to go to these types of Confrences. Book signings and buying books was great too. It's amazing how many Parents, Teachers, and Professionals show up at these events and just buy books between talks. I guess the Parents, Teachers, and Professionals are fed up with Current Standards and are seeking changes.
What say You?
(Comments)
What's bugging me today
posted at 07:00 pm on 04-23-2007
I am so confused by the idea that Socially Immature means Asperger Syndrome. If you google Social Immaturuty the first entry will say Asperger Syndrome. Why?
What is an Immature fourteen year old as apposed to a Mature one?
The other thing that bugs me is how people continue to be ignorant when they are asked what the problem is. Nerotypicals do this when an Aspie rather than an Autistic, asks them what the problem is, but if the situation is reversed, the Aspie or Autistic gets abused when they do not answer the questions properly.
(Comments)
Some precautions regarding Aspie children
posted at 03:12 pm on 04-16-2007
1.Don't ever get mad and spank your Aspie child until they see stars just because they didn't hit someone back when they got hit first. Sensory Issues is what caused this so called Problem.
2.Understand that your child got hit because they said "No." to Vandalism (picking flowers in Someone else's yard). With a rate of abuse at 80% this is why they got hit. (Neurotypicals tend to falsly believe that, especially when they're kids (6 years old) that abuse of any kind is okay. It's time to educate the other parents).
3. All teenagers (starting at age 11 in this Country at least) talk about Sex. Don't be embarrassed if the other parents are annoyed that Your Child talked about sex with their kids. Chances are the other kids are having sex at the age they shouldn't, and the parents aren't doing nothing about it.
4. If your child gets into trouble with the school counselor, for writing a note about sex to a male classmate, ask the counselor why it took the school a month to figure out that two other kids (athletes usually) were having sex in the corner of the 'Playground."
5. If your Aspie daughter calls the school quarterback on the phone and your Aspie son tries to ask the head cheerleader out on a date, and they get embarrassed, tell them both that THEY didn't do ANYTHNG WRONG. Also add that a Winner is someone who RESPECTS you, not who is the VISABLE LEADER(S) of the school.
(Comments)
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
