---
What Autistic Looks Like by Reinventing Mommy
Today's post was going to be about any number of things - the change in locale for our weekly aquatic PT sessions, the fireworks that weren't (big surprise), or any other number of musings from my mind - but it's not. Instead, it's going to be much shorter, but not for lack of things to say. It's because the message is short, but needs to be said.
Some of you who are a part of the autism community may have heard about rapper 50 Cent's tweets, in which he insulted a Twitter follower with the following:
"i just saw your picture fool you look autistic"
As if that wasn't enough, he went on to say that he didn't want "no special ed kids" on his timeline.
Holly Robinson Peete, actress and autism super-mama, fired back an open letter response that really says it all. Brilliantly. The result? 50 Cent removed the Tweets; however, he never once apologized for the insensitivity. In my opinion, that's a pretty crappy way to use your star power and influence over millions (in the neighborhood of 8 million Twitter followers, to be exact).
As we all know, autism mamas don't mess around. We are sleep-deprived, love our children fiercely, and are well accustomed to a fight. My son is autistic. He is in special education. He is not something that should be thrown around as an insult to someone else. He is the most incredible person in the world - and I am so incredibly proud of everything he has accomplished despite the odds.
Instead of a rant or rave, I just wanted to show the world what autistic looks like. Our autism looks like this, and I believe this speaks louder than any words I could articulate:
Some of you who are a part of the autism community may have heard about rapper 50 Cent's tweets, in which he insulted a Twitter follower with the following:
"i just saw your picture fool you look autistic"
As if that wasn't enough, he went on to say that he didn't want "no special ed kids" on his timeline.
Holly Robinson Peete, actress and autism super-mama, fired back an open letter response that really says it all. Brilliantly. The result? 50 Cent removed the Tweets; however, he never once apologized for the insensitivity. In my opinion, that's a pretty crappy way to use your star power and influence over millions (in the neighborhood of 8 million Twitter followers, to be exact).
As we all know, autism mamas don't mess around. We are sleep-deprived, love our children fiercely, and are well accustomed to a fight. My son is autistic. He is in special education. He is not something that should be thrown around as an insult to someone else. He is the most incredible person in the world - and I am so incredibly proud of everything he has accomplished despite the odds.
Instead of a rant or rave, I just wanted to show the world what autistic looks like. Our autism looks like this, and I believe this speaks louder than any words I could articulate:
Autistic looks like this beautiful face.
Autistic looks like this - pure joy radiating from my angel.
This is what autistic looks like. It looks adorable, amazing, and precious.
This is why we all need to continue to share what autism looks like, because clearly there are so many who remain uneducated as to the absolute beauty and joy that resides in each of our children.
Please share with the world - what does autistic look like to you?
Autism looks like a heartbeat on a scan, a laugh, pure tears, wonder and beauty and unique. I WILL share my son with the world, I WILL take him to the park, to birthday parties, I WILL take him to weddings and churches and museums and beaches and I will not care about looks or careless comments.
ReplyDeleteI owe it to him and to all the other amazing children I know xxx
He is beautiful and this blog is amazing. Thank you.
ReplyDelete