Beautiful video a woman made of herself responding to Oprah and “Autism Speaks.”
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An autistic woman fires back at Oprah
04.05.07 | 1 Comment
1 Comment
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Hey Chutney!
Just wanted to bring something to your attention here.
The women wasn’t “firing back at Oprah;” she was letting people know about her views on Autism Speaks and the publications (and therefore some of the views) that they promote.
The videa had nothing to do with Oprah as it was made back in October and Oprah’s show was live yesterday and was the first time that she talked about autism.
That being said, the woman in the video has a good point about labels, not wanting to be “cured,” and regarding her reaction to the parent that stated that she wanted to kill her autistic child. With Autism Speaks publishing that kind of stuff, people get the wrong idea about autism.
I have a sibling (16-years-old) with autism. I am often confused by the labeling that used, as it just doesn’t explain what they can or cannot do. Unfortunately, that is how the labels are being used much of the time. My sibling is labled low functioning, yet she knows her numbers and letters and, unlike many autistic people, she talks non-stop. She also understands some social interaction “rules.”
Why then is she considered low functioning? She can’t communicate that she knows her letters and numbers when cued, she can’t comprehend when she shouldn’t talk or when it’s not appropriate, and she really isn’t “good” at the social interaction skills that she does have. (There are a few other reasons as well.)
Another thing is that while I can understand the frustration of living with someone with autism, and that all parents and siblings sometimes say that they have thought about killing their child/sibling (“normal” or “disabled” – there’s that label thing again!), it is wrong for Autism Speaks to publish or produce something that has a parent saying that they have thought about killing their child because they are autistic. It sends out the wrong message. That’s not advocacy, it’s propaganda. It almost seems as if they are sending out the message that if someone has autism, they shouldn’t be living. That is so wrong.
As I sit here writing this, I listen to my sister chatter in the next room by herself. She is talking exicitedly about the holiday this weekend and seeing people she hasn’t seen for a while. She talks about her movies. She talks about a new toy that she just got.
Is it frustrating to have that constant noise? Yes, sometimes it is. But as I think about what life would be without her or if she didn’t have autism, I realize that I wouldn’t want a different life.
I’m not saying that I am glad that she has autism. Far from it. I’m just glad that she is in my life. I love her for who she is at this moment. All any of us can be is ourselves.
While I hope that doctors and psychologists may discover what is causing autism, I don’t think my sister needs to be “cured.” Again, I love her for who she is.
There is so much more that could be said, but as my sister is trying to get my attention, I realize that I have said enough for now.