I Googled myself the other day, looking for a photo that is online as part of my bio at the University of Utah. Long story short, the Google results turned up something unexpected.
Previously, I’ve written about the film Autism Everyday, produced by the group Autism Speaks, and my opinion has never included a condemnation of the film or the parents in the film. I said this in my blog post, as well as in comments left within other discussions of this issue on the web.
But now I find my name supporting a petition called Autism Speaks: Don’t Speak For Me.
The irony would be amusing if I weren’t so pissed off.
I could find no way to remove my name, and as there is no contact information available, I couldn’t even complain that my name (and my son’s name) has been used without my consent. The best I could do was contact the Autism Speaks website and let them know that the petition against them included at least one counterfeit signature—and I’m guessing more.
One thing I despise about human nature is the concept that there is room for only one “right” opinion or perspective. Can’t people accept that there are other legitimate opinions out there with whom one might disagree?
People have blind spots—even people with autism (or Autistics, if you prefer). We can certainly learn from each other.
I feel a rant coming on, but I’d better hold off until I can think things through a little more carefully.
Comments 4
Well that is downright ugly! I guess we all have to google ourselves regularly just to check on what might be out there we didn’t know about. Ugh.
Posted 04 Aug 2007 at 9:43 pm ¶That’s crappy! This appears to be the guy who set up the petition - maybe you can complain to him:
http://www.kevinleitch.co.uk/wp/?p=398
Posted 05 Aug 2007 at 10:49 am ¶I am sorry. That stinks. I googled me the other day too and saw a petition I signed up for…don’t remember what it was about but it sounded familiar.
Anyway, I was reading through the comments on Mom, NOS. I know the video was harsh but the lives of some parents of children with autism is. Even Owen–the pain he feels sometimes–I guess it is pain when he is, for no apparent reason, punching his head or biting his arm. No known antecedent…it is heartbreaking.
I wish he had the ability to tell me what he feels or what I could do to help. Goodness knows we have tried to give him the tools and strategies. It breaks my heart.
But I try to put a happier picture of him in my head…my latest–Owen dancing around the blanket at the They Might be Giants concert. His first and he loved it.
Good luck getting your name off there.
Posted 05 Aug 2007 at 12:10 pm ¶Katy: I’m delighted to hear that Owen had fun at the concert. William never goes to concerts because they’re so loud (and he’s not that interested in music) but I can just picture Owen dancing around the blanket. Wonderful memory!
Mom, NOS is an interesting blog. I always felt, when William was younger, that I didn’t have the energy to lobby on behalf of autism because just LIVING it was exhausting. Clearly she puts a lot of energy into educating herself and promoting her take on things. I doubt I could have done that (had I known about blogs in the early 1990s).
Have you seen the film Autism Every Day? I just didn’t have as strong a reaction as so many people have. I thought it was moving, and saw it as some peoples’ experiences, though not totally mine. But people are livid! I don’t get it.
And, for fear of offending people, I’ve kept my mouth shut on the idea of autism as a “disability” or disorder. Yes, I know it’s an integral part of William’s personality and who he is. However, anything that makes my child more vulnerable to abuse and danger is, to me, a disability. Including deafness, blindness, confinements to a wheelchair, etc. I know many people don’t see it this way, but I feel strongly that, without autism, William would be safer and that’s the bottom line. (End of rant)
I always appreciate your perspective, Katy–thanks!
Cheryl: Thanks! I’d read the source code but couldn’t tell who was in charge. I’ll check it out.
Birdsong: Sad, but true.
Posted 05 Aug 2007 at 1:25 pm ¶