#PuppetGate

I’m sure you know by now that there is a play that makes the one autistic character a puppet. That is problematic. Let me explain: Turning the one different character into a puppet only makes them not human. It gives the play a sense that there is an alien among them. And, since that alien is autistic, I am an alien too. Of course, now the United States lock aliens in cages.  

Some people say this is like Julia from Sesame Street. However, I disagree. On Sesame Street, puppets and monsters living there are a way of life. They are treated with the same respect that any human is. Coming back to Julia, she was given an introductory episode with all her traits outside. Most Sesame Street characters appear through various points in the show, and are treated as regulars.  

Of course, maybe they tried to avoid casting an autistic actor, or a non-autistic actor in an autistic role. I’ve got a request: Let’s do better. If you can’t find an autistic boy to play the role, find an autistic girl. If the role is “too adult,” get an adult autistic actor to play the child. No offense to the play producers, but making a person a puppet to stand them out is wrong. It dehumanizes them.  

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Valentine’s Day 2019: End of the Day

I figured out why I was so moody and cranky earlier today. I’m not doing well physically. Shortly after I finished my earlier reporting, I got a strong headache and had to lay down for the morning. Fortunately, I cold cook breakfast and walk the dog as usual a little later on. Eventually, my mother and I went out and enjoyed a good steak dinner. So, any argument against the mind-body connection? It will make you look like a flat earther to me.  

Valentine’s Day 2019: The Beginning of the Day

For some reason, Valentine’s Day is hitting me hard this year. Yes, I’m single, but it has not bothered me before.  I remember last year that my dog was my Valentine. I think he will be that again this year. Fortunately, I think some strategies will help me get through it this year: 

1. Medicines: I will take my medicines, thank you, and move on.
2. Bask in Others’ Love: This has helped me before.
3. No Alcohol: People have used alcohol to cope with singlehood and loneliness before, but in my case, I fear I will take it much too far. Besides, I need to deal with my feelings head on.
4. Don’t Believe the Hype: I wonder how many people will end up sleeping on the couch due to a fight tonight? A day for romance can take place at any time of the year.  

Hopefully, these stratagems will help. I will report the results later on.  

Inventors: Why We Don’t Need a White History Month

Let’s talk about some inventors. Here are a few names: 

Thomas Edison. 

Nikola Tesla. 

Elon Musk. 

Garrett A. Morgan. 

The first three were white. The last one was black. 

So, what did Garrett A. Morgan invent that would put him in the company of the likes of Thomas Edison? HINT: you look at it every time you stop at an intersection. 

Still confused? 

Mr. Morgan gave the traffic light the yellow light, as a “warning” position to prevent accidents. (Many people use this light to gun it out of the intersection, though.) He also discovered hair straightener and a type of smoke hood for rescue workers. I also think it’s funny that he needs Black History Month to be remembered. I dislike that fact entirely.  

Funny, I bet you that Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and Elon Musk do not need a White History Month to be remembered. You more than likely know these guys’ names by heart. But not Garrett Morgan.  

One final note: Have you noticed that February, aka Black History Month, is THE SHORTEST MONTH OF THE YEAR? I have. This fact notes the racism behind assigning months.    

My point is, when people remember inventor Garrett Morgan, the inventor of the current traffic light, as much as we remember Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, then we can talk about having a White History Month, or getting rid of History Months.

So, come on, quit your whining about not having a White History Month because you don’t need one.  

#TimeToTalk Day 2019

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.” -Chinese Proverb  

Well, they are using this hashtag on Twitter right now to talk about mental illness.  

So, what do tree planting and talking about mental health have to do with each other? Well, for starters, there is a lot in common, as stated by the old proverb. Can you go back in time? Not that I know of. But can you start talking about mental health, plant that proverbial tree, now? Of course. 

Let’s talk about some myths: 

1. “Mental illness has some rational beginning, and is reactive.”  Sometimes it does, but most of the time it does not. As I have stated before, even people on top of the world have mental illness to deal with. Robin Williams, for instance.  
2. “Mental Illness only affects the people who act or look a certain way.” Would you be shocked if, and I am only saying if, Guy Fieri had depression? I would not. The losses of the once-strong Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain should have shaken that out of your mind.  
3. “Mental Illness is character weakness.” This comes from the belief that you earn health and wealth through finding favor with your chosen deity – known in some circles as The Prosperity Gospel. But what happens if, say, you get a mental illness? Does that mean you are not good enough?  This false notion about mental illness believes you are not good enough… 
4. “Mental Illness can be cured with willpower, vitamins and exercise.” Sorry, Tom Cruise, but this is simply not true in many cases. Denying the sufferer the medicine, the very thing that provides relief, is cruelty.  
5. “Mental illness prevents you from holding down a job.” I HELD DOWN A JOB AT IN-N-OUT FOR SIX YEARS! Sorry for the shouting. This is simply not true. It is a corollary of the “character weakness” myth.  
6. “Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why not just take a pill?” Because much of the time, “taking a pill” is only a start. Many of us need a support system.  
7. “I can’t help.” Many, many people need your support. Just being there for them makes a big difference. It did with me.  
8. “Prevention is impossible.” Ever heard of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? The core of it is TRAUMA. That is one of my own mental illnesses, thanks to people in my family.  

Mental health is coming out of the woodwork with or without you. It is connected to physical health as well. People are tired of losing their loved ones to suicide.   

Don’t Blame Me For That Measles Outbreak!

My mother gave me all the available vaccines. And no, that’s not why I am autistic. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk reason. Now there are outbreaks all over Europe and the United States thanks to people not vaccinating their children. And I wonder if they are blaming the autistic people like me for it. I mean, after all, most of the people not vaccinating their children blame their children’s autism on it. So, even if I am not blamed outright, I wonder if I am blamed in secret.  

I guess I wonder if I am paranoid, because so many people want to see me “Cured,” aka essentially destroyed.  

Willful Ignorance Not Welcome Here

I know my last post might have been offensive. I just hope it did not drive everyone away.  

Just so you know, the last post is in no way an endorsement of Jenny McCarthy, the Queen of the Antivaxxers / Vaccine Blamers. I do not support or endorse her opinion. What I meant to say in my last post was that she was similar to the flat earthers, who have ignorant answers to support a ignorant notion, such as a flat earth or blaming vaccines for autism. I guess they have to learn they are wrong the hard way.

I never supported willful ignorance.