Call out to Autistic Families

I recently got an email from Liz Ditz. Richard Everts of the Tommy Foundation is looking for families and individuals with "higher-functioning autism or aspergers, non-biomedical, or any variation along those lines" that are part of the neurodiversity community.

This is for a film called The United States of Autism, a documentary about autistic families. You can find more information here, and the application, which is due Wednesday.

Personally, I think that this is an excellent opportunity for our voices be heard and spread awareness. I can't participate, since I'm Canadian, so I'm hoping that many other members of the community be able to take part. Even though Autism Speaks, AutismOne and other question-ables are involved.

Also, I would like to quote a bit from the email forwarded to me from Richard Everts:

We recently started our new 3 year strategic initiative for The Tommy Foundation, as we are changing out focus to support the larger autism community. We have not altered our website to reflect this yet, so if you could please let individuals know that we are not ND averse or unsupportive of their views at this time.

I thank you for your help and look forward to speaking with you more in the future about the film.

So, go on and spread the news, and if you think you'd like to be apart of it, go right ahead!


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Perspectives Anthology

If you haven't heard, there is an anthology by the Long Island Examiner that is currently taking submissions. Their mission statement is

It is the goal of this anthology to convey, through the art of poetry, different perspectives concerning the autism spectrum and other neurological, psychological, social, and communicative disabilities. The poems can be from those with disabilities, by those with disabilities, about those with disabilities, or come from the point of views of family or friends of those as well. Perspectives hopes to use poetry to convey not only understanding, but unity, and a sense that despite different perspectives and different ways of living life, we are all human.

Currently, there is no deadline for submissions, and there is no limit as to the physical location of contributers. As long as the poems are in English and convey the spirit of the mission statement, anyone is able to submit up to 3 poems. On the website link above, there are more details about where to submit poems.

Of course, as a writer I have occasionally done a little poetry, and while it's not my strongest writing style, I did pull together a poem to submit.

Being Human

I’m reminded once again
why being human is a sin
with subtle language all confused
and sensory tolerance a short fuse
causing loss of anger control
and chances of inner peace half stole
wondering how I came to be
in a strange land with a stranger me

I’m not sure how to act
I’m sure that I’m lacking tact
I make the wrong movements
and I seem to be socially tense
taking things the wrong way
and enduring stares at odd words I say
unfunny jokes and really bad puns
wide open pain sky filling suns
lacking the basic of social graces
unable to look at people’s faces
who eat the bad food on their plates
along with those sounds I really hate

Thanking my fortune for sanity’s sake
the value of friendship and companions not fake
willing to listen, accept and understand
helping me with skills to find
changing the world, together to stand
not a society divided by disability
but a mosaic united

Instead of struggling, alone and confused
letting my faults, frustration take toll
now it is safe for me to muse
with allies that help and not control
and reminding me once again
why being human is not a sin

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