Yes! I was there in the early days of the ND movement, it's always been political but like anything as it became more well known people who joined later and didn't familiarize themselves with our history and people who were in the movement/communities before them. Also there's more professionalization including co-opting & watering down of concepts by neuro-normative people, and ND people going into disability related professions and vary in how accountable they are.
I find it challenging because my professional work is in neurodiversity related things, but i forever feel like an outsider because I won't water down my services to make them more palatable. If people want neurodiversity related professional work then I feel they must accept it's origins as well.
Totally. Some years back I worked for an organization that served autistic adults and I advocated for more considerations of autistic viewpoints and sometimes they listened to me. The founders/board members were supporters of Measles Speaks, so that was pretty awkward. I need to write about that. It’s long enough ago that I don’t need my former employer as a reference. Writing about old employers is rather therapeutic, I think. It seems like almost every activist or other community space I’m in, I have to be the one to bring up disability in general. Sometimes I don’t even tell them I’m disabled so I get the “wow, an abled person cares about this, so maybe it actually matters!” thing.
Wow! I think you’ve really nailed this. You’re absolutely right! Congratulations! This is a great foundation for conversation and building a better future. I hope this reaches those ‘in power’.
It's something on my mind a lot these days. That's not to say that I think any ideology is infallible. I just know which one is stoking the flames of division. Personally, I lean closer and closer to anarchism with each passing year.
I've shared this on my social media. I get the sense people see my advocacy and say to themselves "I get it, you're Autistic." In the US, we're told our lives are "nightmares" and that we're a burden on our families. I'm working on advocacy and coaching, I want to teach where I can and fight where I have to.
Spot on🔥
Yes! I was there in the early days of the ND movement, it's always been political but like anything as it became more well known people who joined later and didn't familiarize themselves with our history and people who were in the movement/communities before them. Also there's more professionalization including co-opting & watering down of concepts by neuro-normative people, and ND people going into disability related professions and vary in how accountable they are.
I find it challenging because my professional work is in neurodiversity related things, but i forever feel like an outsider because I won't water down my services to make them more palatable. If people want neurodiversity related professional work then I feel they must accept it's origins as well.
Totally. Some years back I worked for an organization that served autistic adults and I advocated for more considerations of autistic viewpoints and sometimes they listened to me. The founders/board members were supporters of Measles Speaks, so that was pretty awkward. I need to write about that. It’s long enough ago that I don’t need my former employer as a reference. Writing about old employers is rather therapeutic, I think. It seems like almost every activist or other community space I’m in, I have to be the one to bring up disability in general. Sometimes I don’t even tell them I’m disabled so I get the “wow, an abled person cares about this, so maybe it actually matters!” thing.
Wow! I think you’ve really nailed this. You’re absolutely right! Congratulations! This is a great foundation for conversation and building a better future. I hope this reaches those ‘in power’.
This represents hope, clarity and purpose.
It's something on my mind a lot these days. That's not to say that I think any ideology is infallible. I just know which one is stoking the flames of division. Personally, I lean closer and closer to anarchism with each passing year.
I've shared this on my social media. I get the sense people see my advocacy and say to themselves "I get it, you're Autistic." In the US, we're told our lives are "nightmares" and that we're a burden on our families. I'm working on advocacy and coaching, I want to teach where I can and fight where I have to.
Hi David
Is there a way to contact you ? 😁 it’s about a subscription that I must have unknowingly signed up for 😆 thank you!
My email is belstclair@gmail.com if you prefer to email me! Thanks so much!
I have emailed you