Autism: The Musical

Autism: The Musical

It's not a contrived, one-sided story. There were some things that made me cringe. Some things that made me nod my head. Things that made me cry. Things that made me smile and laugh, sometimes unexpectedly. I saw honesty. I saw opinions. I saw struggles, growth, denial, love. I didn't feel pity. I was left with emotions and thoughts swirling. And a few images of some amazingly beautiful, powerful smiles.

My favorite quote, told secondhand by one mother: "It's not up to us to judge the quality of her life."

My least favorite quote made by one mother: "This isn't a social change, it's a disease."

The quote that I struggle with every day: "I can't make them value her. I can't make them respect her, and think that she has the same rights that they do."

The movie is about 90 minutes long. It's worth it.

Soon

I just finished a time consuming work project and took another one yesterday, so I leave you with two quick updates that I hope to expand on soon.

The boys loved their Amtrak ride across Missouri. I can't say I recommend it since we spent 6 hours on a train two days in a row... but to them it was like riding the coolest amusement park ride in the world. So it was worth it. That one time.

Today we went to a Disability Rights rally at the State capitol. The boys weren't very interested, but I tried to explain what "rights" are, what "equality" is, and that we were at the place that makes "laws." I caught our district senator in between session and committee meetings. He listened to me for over 20 minutes regarding the use of seclusion rooms in our state. (Report linked to here is for California. No such investigation has happened in Missouri.) He was visually shocked that these rooms existed. Not sure if Bubba's constant questioning about "swords and guns" (he had just seen these items in the museum) assisted the cause... but Bubba and Moose did get to hit the gavel in the (empty) Senate Chamber room (after an initial fear and being assured that no public speaking was involved!).

2008 Disability Rights Legislative Day

A good opportunity to speak with Missouri legislators regarding the abuse and misuse of seclusion and restraint.

2008 Disability Rights Legislative Day
March 26, 2008
Missouri State Capitol
Jefferson City, MO

More information and RSVP here.

Me, Hubby, and the boys will be there. Will you?

Easter Wishes

Bubba has been sick for over a week, probably the flu. In spite of the fever, chills, coughing, snot, fatigue, ear infection, etc. he felt well enough to ask over and over again for a toy plastic boat he saw at Walgreens. I told him he could type a note to the Easter bunny asking for that rather than candy. It took him awhile, but he produced this:

Mr. easterbunny,

I want a strong plastic boat that doesn’t sink. I do not want candy.

Thank you,
[bubba]

Moosie, who is now also showing signs of the fever-snot-fatigue-coughing-ear infection thing, decided he would like to type something to the Easter bunny as well, and took his time on this:

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

My letter to the Easter bunny was filled with a little more pleading:

Dear Easter bunny:

For Easter, I want lots of candy, warm weather, and for my kids to be healthy dammit. And please don't let Hubby catch whatever it is that is going around. If you can't help with that last one, just bring me lots more candy.

I would also like my willpower and motivation to rise from the dead. Please tell Jesus to bring that with Him. And tell Him to close his eyes so he doesn't see his shadow. I can't take another 6 weeks of winter. Aw, never mind. Just bring the candy.

love,
me

Bubba'S Pics

Bubba took these especially for Aunt Piggy and Uncle GuitarMan.

Enjoy.

Angels

I sang to Bubba and Moose last night as they cuddled up next to me in bed. After I finished singing a song about angels watching over them, I asked Moosie if he knew what angels were.

He said yes and proudly exclaimed, "Bider."

"Spider?" I questioned.

"No... Bider," he repeated adamantly.

After a few rounds of Guess what Moosie is saying, Moosie attempted to clarify with an additional word, "Bider dead."

While I contemplated what dead spiders have to do with angels, Bubba piped up to help me out, "Fighter Jet mom. He's saying Fighter Jet."

Moosie gave me the "Don't you know anything???" look.

Well, I'm glad they understand eachother, because I would've never figured that out on my own.

Apparently Moosie has the Blue Angels watching over him as he snoozes. Good to know he is safe.

It felt good to laugh again.