Reasonable people can agree to differ
As some of you may already know, “April” is “Autism” “Awareness” month. Whilst this is a “controversial” “matter” I would like to help people understand that an autism diagnoses does not mean that my ‘real’ children were not stolen nor is it worse than cancer nor death. These perspectives are a great dis-service to people, “parents and children” who struggle with those real tragedies. Autistic people and those with special needs deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect that we offer everyone else on the planet.
As I am now on “Etsy,” I am offering this bowl, shipped for free anywhere in the World, as my small contribution.
It’s about six inches across and just over two inches high carved in forest green slip, my son’s favourite.
Some people are “autistic,” “adults,” “young people” and “teens,” some are “parents” or “single parents” of “autistic” children, there are lots of boys “as” well as “girls,” our neighbours and friends. Although you may not be directly affected I am quite certain that you already know someone who is autistic, even if you don’t know it. I would encourage you to add your name to the list either for yourself of someone you know. No matter where we are on the spectrum we all basically want the same thing, a better future for autistic people and those with special needs.
We may never achieve awareness but we may be able to encourage people to think differently.
Sorry it’s not a pi dish but the kiln at the studio is backed up and I cannot predict when they might be ready nor how many will come out in one piece.
There are lots of other giveaways available at “Melanie’s” site called
that may also tempt your fancy.
Best wishes
April 7th, 2009 at 3:34 am
I feel very happy that my nephew Sam, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, got the support he needed at school and beyond. But that was in part due to my sister being a teacher and knowing the Special Needs “system” here. Sadly a lot of kids here don’t get the support they need
April 7th, 2009 at 4:51 am
I so struggle with this myself
This whole myth of the shell which if only broken – would show a whole – non ASD person bemneath – it is soo annoying
April 7th, 2009 at 4:54 am
I get disgusted Mad’s when Estee thinks her child needs to “evolve”, doesn’t need to learn to become a functioning member of society. That she’s now claiming autism is a “culture”, and education and learning is like handing a deaf child an implant so they can hear the world around them. She even admits she’s not doing any extra beyond classroom work with him and as far as she’s concerned society has to learn to communicate with him not the other way around.
That I have HUGE issues with.
Think of all that speech and OT therapy you’ve done with your boys…. according to many of the “autistics” out there that would be called “cruel” b/c you are trying to change your children.
I’ve never once “changed” my children. They still have all the autistic traits along with my eldests annoying fav “anxiety”… What I have done is given them opportunity to be more than someone who requires 1:1 support their entire lives. Granted my little one will probably always need that support but… he’s still only 7. I pulled my youngest out of the “cruel” program and we have discovered that only any extra 20 to 30min per day doing a little math or reading or both, makes an amazing difference in keeping up with one’s peers – both boys.
I want my children to have the opportunity to be like Dr Temple Grandin… educated, employed, independant. That’s all.
S.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:17 am
My friend is heading up the fundraising and such for the Autism and Asperger’s group here locally. I applaud all that you are doing to help other’s understand what this is about.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Great tackle!!
April 7th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I love your blog! Both my husband and I have realized that we knew people on the austism spectrum without knowing it. No one ever heard of austism when I was a kid. Certain kids at school were just “spoiled”, “difficult” or “strange”. I had no idea there was a medical issued involved. Now I’m the mother of such a child. Right now I have given up trying to explain his condition to certain family members and one certain school administrator. Sometimes the more education someone has the harder it is to teach them. Needless to say we changed schools. I don’t know what the future holds I just hope my child will always be happy. Great blog. Thanks
April 7th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Dignity and respect. Definetly!
Oh and i do love your plates! They are beautiful!
April 7th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Oh, I’m so glad you’re on Etsy now. I LOVE the fish dish. I want it. (That last sentence said in the voice of my 2-year old.)
April 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I know several people ‘on the spectrum’. I work with a couple of them, trying to help them develop their language to its fullest potential. Your blog has helped me understand them much better – thanks Maddy!
(You already know I want one of those fish bowls!)
April 7th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Maddy, you said it so much better than I ever could…and I went to your Etsy site to buy the bowl, you are sold out of the small one?!
April 7th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
My 12 yr old is on the Spectrum and my hubby is certainly on there, somewhere, too, as are several members of his immediate family.
Love your bowls!
April 7th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I have several close friends who have autistic children. I have come to love their children as my own and vice versa. God has amazing things purposed for each and every one of us regardless on where we fall on a spectrum.
Great bowls!
April 7th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Thanks for stopping by my site and letting me know I needed to fix the date on my giveaway. There is only one main rule to enter my giveaway, the rest are for additional entries. I went in and clarified it a little better.
My biggest pet peeve is when people assume that my son is unintelligent because he doesn’t talk. Or that he doesn’t understand what they are saying. His smarter than anyone I know.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
All of my kids are fabulous-both on and off the spectrum. I teach them to be respectful of all people. Change the world-raise your kids.Beautiful bowls!
April 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Beautiful. Happy WW:)
April 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
What lovely bowls! Would you be inetrested in possibly making a bowl for auction for the Tuesday Blog Party? (http://fundraiserblog.blogspot.com/)
As you know, my son Will was just recently diagnosed and it floored me. But, I am coming back to reality now and know he has just as bright of a future as he did before he was diagnosed.
Thank you for bringing so much attention to autism.
Blessings!
April 8th, 2009 at 12:01 am
[...] Don’t forget to add your name to the “list.” [...]
April 8th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Maddy, this post is lovely, and thank you for the mention. Best wishes for Etsy, and for everything.
April 8th, 2009 at 8:15 am
It’s sad that there is so much division – it is almost like a religion with everyone arguing about their differing beliefs.
Maybe I’m just trying to walk an impossibly thin line, but I love my son at the same time that I am trying to help him succeed to his fullest potential. I want him to be supported where he needs support while also being taught what he needs to do and, all the while, respected for his uniqueness. That’s not too much to ask, is it???
April 8th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I don’t think I have ever left a comment. I follow your blog on and off, but always enjoy. I am the mom to at least two aspie kids. Some of my other kids have ’spectrum-y flavors’ to them, but are not officially diagnosed for now.
Jabber
April 8th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
What Trish said!
April 9th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
My two little grandchildren -Maya, age 5 and Kurtis, age 3 -are both autistic. Maya is PDD-NOS, has been attending a special pre-school program for the past two years and now is preparing to enter kindergarten in the fall. Kurtis is classic autism, has been receiving therapy for the past 18 months and will begin attending the pre-school program this summer. They and their parents and I all live together so I am around these two 24/7 and blog a lot about life -in general -with two youngsters who happen to be autistic. We are extremely grateful to the special teachers Maya has had at the school she attends along with all the many therapists who have and still do work with both Maya and Kurtis all the time. It’s amazing the progress both children have made since getting into these therapy programs and the school.
April 10th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Sorry to be OT, but I love those bowls. Fabulous. Are they microwave and/or dishwasher safe?
April 10th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Maddie, you’ve said it so well. Thank you.
And thank you for the opportunity to win one of your fabulous bowls.
April 11th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Maddie,
You put a smile on the darkest day. There is deep gratitude for your gifts, probably from many people that you may never meet. Know that you matter, truly.
xR
April 11th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Your pottery is absolutely beautiful!
April 11th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
i do love the bowl. not sure if this is the list i belong on or what?
April 12th, 2009 at 12:03 am
[...] forget to add your name to the “list” and help spread the word. I have a terrible feeling that I’ll miss the opportunity to test [...]
April 12th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I have a 10 year iold autistic boy. I have to say there’s a lot more “awareness” than there was years ago. Hopefully people will become more and more aware.
Love the bowl!
April 13th, 2009 at 12:01 am
[...] forget to add your name to the “list” for the giveaway and help spread the word. One time rule [...]
April 14th, 2009 at 12:03 am
[...] forget to check out other “tacklers” as well as “Trish” and the “freebie list” at the end of last week’s “tackle,” giveaway either in the box or as a comment. [...]
April 15th, 2009 at 12:03 am
[...] forget to add your name to the “list” and help spread the word for the [...]
April 15th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I can’t wait to get a Pi dish also!
April 15th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I love your blog. I hope when I have kids someday I can be even half the mom that you are. You are my hero.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Okay Dearie- I’d like to add my name to the “list” for another bowl (this one for my friend Pammy who’s 5 year old is autistic)…so PLEASE let me know how. I love the bowl-it arrived safely last week!
April 16th, 2009 at 12:04 am
[...] forget to add your name to the “list” and help spread the word for the [...]
April 16th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I’m in agreement. My real child is not buried underneath a blanket of autism. He has not been stolen by autism. He is all of the things he is; complex, sensitive, funny, creative, and yes…also on the autism spectrum. I wouldn’t trade him for anything.
I love your blog and read it daily. The bowl is beautiful too!
April 16th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
[...] forget to add your name to the “list” and help spread the word for the [...]
April 18th, 2009 at 12:04 am
[...] don’t forget to add your name to the “original post list” and help spread the word for the giveaway, wouldn’t like to miss anyone [...]
April 18th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
[...] don’t forget to add your name to the “original post list” and help spread the word for the giveaway, wouldn’t like to miss anyone out. Caught dead to [...]
April 20th, 2009 at 12:13 am
[...] don’t forget to add your name to the “original post list” and help spread the word for the giveaway, wouldn’t like to miss anyone [...]
April 20th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Well said, as usual! I could not agree with you more.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:03 am
[...] don’t forget to add your name to the “original post list” and help spread the word for the giveaway, wouldn’t like to miss anyone [...]
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:02 am
[...] it may seem a little daft to start another giveaway even before I’ve finished the first “one,” timing has never been one of my strong suits. There is a family I know who have returned to Ireland [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
The bowls are beautiful. If I don’t win here, I’m heading over to etsy for sure.
April 26th, 2009 at 12:01 am
[...] two giveaways are still open ready for your name either “here” or [...]
April 27th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Maddy, I love, LOVE the way you parent. Truly.
And I love the way you are always able to cut to the chase and say what you mean with such eloquence. Nicely done.
Oh, and the bowls? Stunning! Thanks for reminding me to drop by and sign up for a chance at one
~Michelle
April 28th, 2009 at 12:01 am
[...] Last three days of the bowl “giveaway/freebie.” [...]
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 pm
[...] today is the day that we draw the winner for the “giveaway.” It should have been the first of May and the end of Autism Awareness Month, but real life ran away [...]