Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The Invisible Girl & Ignorance

We want on a mini-excursion last week to make it feel like we went on a vacation (more on that later). We went to a place called Nascar Speedpark. It has many different types of go-karts and rides for kids. MM was standing in line, the only one at first, and another little girl walked up. She attempted to talk to MM who doesn't speak with children she doesn't know, she usually just flaps. I don't know why, but the little girl then just pushed past MM, cutting in front of her in line. I told the little girl that MM was there first and get behind her in line. This has happened more than once. I was so pi$$ed (and my heart was hurting) about it that I went over and was telling my mom how sick I am of other children treating her like she is invisible just cause she doesn't respond in a typical manner. I was going on about it and guess what? There was the little girl's mother right behind my mom. I hope she heard every word and will teach her child compassion and awareness- I get so sick of being a public service announcement for people's ignorant a$$es! I doubt it though. If nothing else, how about some basic manners about waiting in line and taking turns?!?!


Disabled does not equal invisible!


And while I am on a rant about ignorance, don't get me started about that jerk talk radio guy Mi.chael. Sa.vage (I am splitting it so I don't get trolls who love him on this blog). In case you haven't heard his dumb butt comment here it is:


Now you want me to tell you my opinion on autism since I’m not talking about autism …Now, the illness du jour is autism. You know what autism is? I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is... a fraud, a racket.

What do you mean they scream and they’re silent? They don’t have a father around to tell them don’t act like a moron, you’ll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up! Act like a man! Don’t sit there crying and screaming, idiot.

Autism -- everybody has an illness. If I behaved like a fool, my father called me a fool. And he said to me, "Don't behave like a fool." Stop with the sensitivity training.

**these may not be in correct order, but are pieces of the statements he made**

Normally, I don't care about things that are said like this. After all, this is America and we are entitled to freedom of speech. The problem I have with this is he does not represent himself as some comedic shock jock like Ste.rn or Ma.nc.ow. If they had said this, although in poor taste, it would not have really mattered. They are attempting to be funny. This guy is one of the leading conservative voices of America, right up there with Lim.bau.gh and Ha.nni.ty. He is spreading his ignorance to a large portion of America who values his opinion. He claims to be a very learned man. It is just cruel and thoughtless to make statements like this. I think that the statement issued by Autismspeaks sums it up best:

One important goal of increasing awareness about autism is to foster a greater level of acceptance and understanding of the very real and significant challenges it poses to individuals with the disorder and their families. The good news is that we see more and more expressions of this compassion every day and everywhere, from classrooms and playgrounds to ballparks and supermarkets. Unfortunately, there are those who are apparently incapable of feeling compassion. They deserve our pity, not our scorn.


I agree with the statement except for those deserving our pity- WHATEVER! I have no time to "Pity the Fool" as Mr. T says! I say all of us with ASD kiddos load them up and drop them off at his house for just a few hours- I bet he would change his opinion really fast. I also did not realize he was an expert in ASD. Wonder how long it takes to get an appointment with him?

All I can do now is give a big internet wave at this guy with one finger, letting him know he is number one. Tweet Tweet- do you see my bird?


4 comments:

Nancy said...

I think that a$$hole should heed his father's advice and stop acting like a fool. It is truly mind boggling to me that people today still believe Autism doesn't exist. Is there a message board or something for his radio station? Cause i have a few choice words for him, and they certainly are not nearly as kind as his father's.

About the little girl at the park....children learn what they are taught. REgardless of how MM responded to the girl talking to her, that child should not have cut in front of her in line. It's downright rude and evidence of a parent who certainly hasn't done her job in the politenes department.

That being said, we could be the jerks on the off chance that the little girl also had a disability that impacted her social skills as well. I guess the need for tolerance goes both ways?

MMMom said...

"That being said, we could be the jerks on the off chance that the little girl also had a disability that impacted her social skills as well. I guess the need for tolerance goes both ways?"

You are right on that one except that she ran up and immediately started jabbering away, her parents were far away from the ride, letting her be by herself, so I highly doubt it. I guess I will try to think of that next time- maybe I will be bold and ask the parent and if they so no they just tell them how rude their child was.

As far as the station message board, they are not taking emails or phone calls on the subject. What a load of crap! The guy is running scared now cause the army of ASD families is after him now!

Nancy said...

I hear you Tiffany. I was just erring on the side of caution on the off chance that the kid did have some social issues. But more than likely it was just a rude kid who hasn't been taught any manners. I think calling parents out on that kind of thing can sometimes help the situation.....or at least make us feel better ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry that you and MM had to deal with a situation like that. If the girl's mom was close she should have intervened, not left it to you. That is what any responsible parent should do.

And as for the guy on the radio, I'm speechless...