drive mom crazy

The Truth of what Dreams may come in the Future

theamazinj — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:30:44 +0000

It’s reason to believe that there are so many people who judge a person by functioning level. Should this be happening?

Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.

Thomas Paine (1737 – 1809)

The truth is we are all individuals who are Human and no body should be felt discriminated. Every one is a dream away from their vision of success. Whether you are an amazing artist, a talented musician, a working writer, a healing heart, an incredible healer, a skillful trade, a motivational speaker, or any mixture of the above; you are here for a reason. You are here to bring life to the world by showing off your talent and giving to society an amazing trip of inspiration. Just take a look at what the incredible Healer, Steve Jobs did before his death. He created the iPad which is helping many people with disabilities throughout society communicate for every one else around. It’s a joy to see the Apple iPad be such an important factor in communication.

Life is a journey: Go chase after your dream and don’t look back! Just look straight ahead toward it to guide yourself into a transformation you won’t want to miss. Talent comes in all different ways, shapes, and forms. One of those forms, some people, but not many can see a person’s life purpose through seeing and feeling auras. Whether you are are a physical, mental, or emotional life aura you are a unique person who was created to do something with your life. Never look down at yourself and overreact to what others say to you because our life’s purpose is all that matters to fulfill who we are.

I am in the midst of writing a fiction story now with added pictures I am creating for it. It will be an incredible story about autistic rights which for some can just be called human rights. As I work on it more, when I finally finish, I will post it here on DMC!

Don’t forget to buy products from me at my Cafe Press shop for Autistic Pride Day!

posting more soon,

OUT, J

Being Autistic and Being Proud of what you Can Do, Smile!

theamazinj — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:23:15 +0000

Autistic or not, you have to understand who you are to appreciate what you can do. Autistic people know what its like for themselves, no body else knows what it’s like to be Autistic. Being an Autistic Adult is an experience any one would not really know because its my experience. Notwithstanding, there are similar experiences all Autistics do experience.

There are many Autistic people who often say “If there were a magic pill to make me Non-Autistic, they would not take it.” I do feel the same. It’s important to embrace who you are and own everything about yourself, rather than moll around feeling like you want to change everything about what makes you, you. I speak to the many Autistic people who don’t like what makes them Autistic. I hope this helps those people out there who don’t like who they are.

Neurodiversity is as important than anything else in the world. Being different is a part of being Human. Once any one embraces who they are literally, any negative feelings and behaviors become removed from your life. Sometimes it can be a matter of looking in the mirror standing up tall and saying “I love who I am!” Or, Sometimes it’s just a matter of allowing any one to do what they feel can be a positive contribution to society being proud of what they can accomplish. Not every one in society is meant to be a completely social person, a lot of people are just meant to work solely on their skills in trades without people around most of the time.

I saw a tweet and facebook message from This Emotional Life which asked the question, “Is Facebook really making us all more lonely?” I can’t really speak for every one else, but I don’t feel that way. There are so many internet games and many things to read on the internet. In terms of being lonely, it depends how they are defining lonely in these terms. Some people can spend hours on the internet creating or doing important tasks. Some others just spend hours on the internet seeking a connection with a person. Some people can just be a mixture of both. I love doing creative, important tasks for society as well as seeking a connection with a person on the internet.

The notion of being Autistic sounds better to me than being like every one else. It’s important to embrace who you are and love the incredible things you can do! Don’t expect to be something you are not, just be yourself and remember never to get influenced to do what every one else does. Society can be very influential to many people, but it depends on what you take in from the influences that matter most. You should take in all the positive influences!

posting more soon,

From Charlie Chaplin and Nat King Cole, Smile!

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
Youll see the sun come shining through, for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
if you just smile

That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
if you just smile

By the way, Read this posting from Lydia Brown which explains why saying the term Autistic is more appropriate than dividing up the spectrum.

OUT,J

What Bullying really does to a Person!

theamazinj — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 09:59:14 +0000

Bullying is a horrible experience any one can go through. Some of the most painful impacts bullying results in are not being able to approve of the things we want to do, always seeking approval from others. Some of the most painful bullying experiences can detract us from society. Some victims of bullying even commit heinous crimes like suicide or homicide, while others live a life of isolation and fear. Some victims of bullying try staying strong even with their anxiety in constant hyper mode. These people who are victims with their extreme anxiety tend to want to please, seek approval, and can become very annoying to the rest of society. While some victims don’t let it get to them. Ultimately, Bullying is a problem when the victims of bullying feel too much pain and sorrow.

There is a saying I say to myself to help me, “Never let any one be a prisoner of you, always be yourself, and ignore those who don’t care to embrace you.”

The problem with society is a person who lives in an area where every body around them is different than who they are, are going to be bullied. It not only is a problem with disability, it also begins with any kind of difference. One such bullying event in history was the Holocaust in Nazi Germany. As we remember what the Nazi’s did to anyone who was not like them, this should also make us understand bullying inhibits are growth. We remember the hurt, the pain, and suffering of those who were different than the Nazi’s. Part of who was different than the Nazi’s, were my faithful Jewish people living in Eastern Europe at the time. However, any one who did not conform to the Aryan race, was murdered in concentration camps. They murdered millions of Jewish people. However they also murdered many homosexuals, gypsies, people with physical or mental disabilities, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and some others who protected these people. Nazi Germany lead by Adolf Hitler was the biggest and most destructive bullying event in history. Unfortunately, other forms of bullying still goes on today. When is it going to stop?

We need to move past the labeling, classifying, and judging of people. Finally emerging to embrace our Human identity for everything that we are. Being a victim of bullying only inhibits us from growing to be a person. A lot of victims of bullying try to be a bully to other people who they meet. It’s contagious! However some people know how to just live their lives even after a bullying event. Unfortunately bullying another person is ineffective in building a true connection with another Human being. You may curse, scream, yell, cry, or isolate yourself; but, you can’t block it out of your existence. Instead we have to fight it, stand up for who we are, and believe in ourselves. No body can take our humanity away. It’s time to learn, take a deep breath, and enjoy who comes in to our lives to be a friend.

Here is a poem I just wrote:

A Boiling Pot Spills on the Floor,

by J.S.R.

Melting away in a pot of boiling water,
I begin to shatter with a casual falter.
Suddenly I see my parts
all over the steam floating
just about anywhere.
My eyes watch my thoughts
My ideas,
and my personal identity
spill over to the floor.
Someone walks by to check the pot
and steps right on my parts like
its nothing.
My eyes in the pot wince
with pain as though
a person has hurt my dignity.
The person looking in the pot
screams with sudden excitement like
he had seen a ghost.
Another walks right by to see
what is by
the screaming person, who
replies “I have never seen anything like it”
The other person says “What?”
the reply was “I just saw eyes
staring with pain inside this pot.”
As the two people look inside the pot,
they watch two eyeballs staring at them
with immense pain.
The pot screams out a rumbling boil of water
and the two people try running away
fearful for their lives,
but stopped dead in their tracks
when they saw a smiling person emerge
from the background of the pot.
A dignified, happy person emerged
to say “Be happy, be kind, be thoughtful,
be the person you were meant to be,
and never step on dignity again.”
And so the two people look up and smile back.

(I hope you enjoyed reading latest post and my Slice of life on Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism !! Have a wonderful weekend!!

OUT, J

Working Builds Confidence, Independence, and Stability for Any One

theamazinj — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:25:20 +0000

Why are people in the disability community including Autistic people not extended a chance to work or are thought of as a second thought by an employer? Why can’t any one in the disability community be accepted in to a job like any body else? Instead most of us are pushed to the side. Although some of us do get lucky.

I can only speak for who I am as an Autistic person (Aspergers). We all have our quirks, we all have our eccentricities, we all have our emotions, we all are human. However many Neurotypical people are considered for a job far more times than a person with a disability. Employers think twice before hiring someone who may be a little different or a lot different from the average person walking into their office.

Instead of classifying, judging, and placing a label on individuals; employers should be objectively viewing an individual’s abilities. It’s important to teach a person who wants to learn, but most importantly we should all teach people to work in a job in order to conform to society by living independently, confidently, and comfortably. Regardless, working for employers helps build character, strength, dignity, and most importantly stability. However the person has to be motivated enough to want to work. Most people I speak to want to work, but struggle to earn a title from an employer to achieve their dreams. Although there are some people who may say they want a job, however they just don’t have the motivation to conform to society’s standards to get a job.

Whether you are working toward a goal of finding a job or moving forward toward building a career, every body should be working toward a goal to live a life of stability. No matter who the person is, people need to be inspired to help themselves and be motivated to feel jointly appreciated by society. However there has to be some kind of connection in order to be appreciated.

Every body has at least 1 skill moving forward to be a success, however all you need is that 1 skill. Some people are skillful diplomats while others have talented hands. The skill you were meant to have should be the skill you use toward your success. After you have used your skill to be successful in what you can do, you begin to earn the respect you always wanted.

Success without a successor is failure. We always need somebody to teach a motivated person regardless if they have a disability or not, to teach the practice that made the predecessor successful for all those years. There are surgeons who have disabilities like Tourette syndrome or Aspergers who are just as successful as a surgeon who doesn’t have any disability. However, once everybody accepts disability as a natural part of human existence will everyone, one day know that it’s okay.

Money is a powerful object we earn after being successful at what we do. There are always many choices how to use the money you earn. It’s important to think about your ethics, your value about life, and what is important to you before you act on using it.

Alec Trebek said it best when he always says “Teaching is the noblest of all professions!” However every profession is a teacher regardless of what they do because we are always teaching our successors to do the same great job for the future, so why be judgmental on who you teach for an employer to be able hire any individual in society motivated to succeed?

Have a great day and get working!!

OUT, J

Words of Wisdom from a DMC reader

theamazinj — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:49:09 +0000

A message from a DMC reader:

“Diabetes is a challenge. You can run away and pretend you don’t have it, but it will catch up with you eventually. You can take care of it grudgingly, hide it, and even use it as an excuse when you trip over rocks, but that will only make you resent yourself for not doing all you can to overcome. Or you can run with it, in your heart, not as a burden, but as a reminder that you are doing something difficult to others without diabetes; living a normal life. When you have to slow down because of problems that occur, don’t be afraid to walk, but still go in the direction of the finish line. When you reach the finish line, even if it took you longer, take the time to rejoice at what you still accomplished, despite the extra weight. Don’t let it overtake your life, but don’t hide it away because it always is there. Your care for it is a sculpture, your creation of a healthy body. Make it sturdy so you won’t shatter in times of pressure, make it beautiful so you don’t have to hide how you feel about it, whether it’s during an accepting or resentful time. And most of all, make it easy to hold. Let diabetes be there with you all the time, from downtime to races, but let it be in your hands and in your control. Let it be small enough to lend to others to help sometimes, but not so small that you risk losing sight of it. Keep your supporting friends by you in the race, because they are willing to hold the extra weight. Let it just be part of you, and take those hard times as challenges and those good times as opportunities. And with this, sprint across the finish line.”

Now she told me to take out the word Diabetes for Aspergers:

“Aspergers is a challenge. You can run away and pretend you don’t have it, but it will catch up with you eventually. You can take care of it grudgingly, hide it, and even use it as an excuse when you trip over rocks, but that will only make you resent yourself for not doing all you can to overcome. Or you can run with it, in your heart, not as a burden, but as a reminder that you are doing something difficult to others without Aspergers; living a normal life. When you have to slow down because of problems that occur, don’t be afraid to walk, but still go in the direction of the finish line. When you reach the finish line, even if it took you longer, take the time to rejoice at what you still accomplished, despite the extra weight (on your shoulders). Don’t let it overtake your life, but don’t hide it away because it always is there. Your care for it is a sculpture, your creation of a healthy mind and body. Make it sturdy so you won’t shatter in times of pressure, make it beautiful so you don’t have to hide how you feel about it, whether it’s during an accepting or resentful time. And most of all, make it easy to hold. Let Aspergers be there with you all the time, from downtime to races, but let it be in your hands and in your control. Let it be small enough to lend to others to help sometimes, but not so small that you risk losing sight of it. Keep your supporting friends by you in the race, because they are willing to hold the extra weight(on your shoulders). Let it just be part of you, and take those hard times as challenges and those good times as opportunities. And with this, sprint across the finish line.”

I thank this DMC reader for emailing me this quote to show how we can take out one concept like Diabetes and replace it with any condition in this long statement. Its interesting how this statement applies itself to anything.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

By the way, It’s time to get ready for Positivity Day this Wednesday April 18, 2012! Its time to move the past aside while moving forward with Joy and Love. Remember this and remember fully:

Truth

Wisdom

Humility

Self-Sacrifice

Compassion

Free Will

Justice

are the key to “connecting the world one step at a time”

It’s for Positivity Day to be the start of something new and the end of the old fearing ways.

What are you going to do on Wednesday? Celebrate!

Have a great week!

OUT, J

A Joyous Poem for a Bright Sunny Day

theamazinj — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:26:35 +0000

We are here. We are dreaming. We have feelings. We are together. We are well connected. However no matter what the situation is, we are all here…

Feeling out of place,
Feeling unusual to everybody else
Feels kinda sad,
Feels kinda mad,
But getting over those feelings
just makes me more glad
Although feelings are
a part of who we are.
Emotions and Feelings
can dictate what we are and
what we do only if we allow it to.
Fortunately we don’t have to let
the feelings get the better
of what we do.
Mad,
Sad,
Angry,
Glad,
Excessively Happy
are what we always feel,
though being dumbfounded by ignorance
is a feeling we always sense
from those who don’t make sense.
So clap your hands,
spread your lips wide,
and enjoy the fruits by your side
because one day you may not realize
what you may miss in the beautiful blue sky!

(It’s beautiful and sunny today so enjoy every minute of it. Never let a good Sunny day be spoiled by staying outside.)

Posting more soon, in the meantime seeing “Bully” documentary this afternoon.

OUT, J

How Anxiety affects us and How to Cope!

theamazinj — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:43:32 +0000

I received a request for this post from one of my readers who had emailed me. Anxiety is one of the biggest factors which can impair any Autistic person from functioning with the rest of society. A lot of times anxiety can lead to meltdowns, tantrums, aggression, sensory/emotional overload, or even shutdown depending on where the root of the anxiety originally started. Anxiety overwhelms us differently. Some people feel more overwhelmed by the anxiety than others or some people just know how to cope better with the anxiety.

There are 2 factors to anxiety: nervous feelings that can control/prevent a person from functioning which can lead to depression. It affects us, Autistic people differently than every one else.

In order to function better in society, Autistic people (whether diagnosed with Autistic disorder, PDD-NOS, or Asperger’s Syndrome) need to learn the best way to cope in order to function with the rest of the world. I am learning how to meditate in order to control my anxiety. However a lot of times I find when spinning around (especially when I was younger), closing my door to my room to rub my body against the carpet (especially when I was younger), clapping my hands incessantly, walking outside to hug trees, and/or vocalizing my thoughts mostly in the shower as I feel the warm water beating on my body help me with anxiety.

A lot of times when I vocalize my thoughts, many people have felt I am talking to them so they answer me. However, I am just sorting through my thoughts on ideas or issues I am having in my life. Although in recent years, I am slowly learning to quiet my mind in a meditative state. I started reading books on meditation and learning by myself to have my own mantra (to be able to focus one thing). A lot of times I revert back to my natural ways of coping with anxiety because it’s easier to use up the energy of the anxiety. This only removes the anxiety temporarily without focusing on confronting what I need to deal with.

Meditation has been my inner strength in times of anxiety these days. I find meditation soothes my body as I breathe deep and slowly. I also find that meditation allows me to observe more. Though, through my entire life I noticed I would observe the world differently by seeing the way the shadows from trees, animals, and other things in my environment like the sun affect us. Now meditation often changes my observations by allowing me to observe my whole environment including other people.

I feel if many other Autistic people regardless of where they fall on the autism spectrum can learn to focus their breathing and thoughts on one thing through meditation, they will be able to start coping with anxiety a lot better. Meditation is a great resource, but can’t help every one not even the so-called Neurotypical people. For instance, some Autistic people are in self-stimulation (stimming) mode many times throughout the day, that their brains won’t function in a calm way unless they are doing their special interest. However every one must try to do meditation anyway to see if it works too.

One time I met a person last year who clearly had autistic disorder with intellectual disability and he clearly couldn’t function without being drawn to YouTube. The parents send him to a camp a few hours away where they live so he can live at that camp all year long. I brought the parents and the son to the Apple store to look at the Ipad for their son. I feel the Ipad would help their son only if therapists can help their son use it to engage with the rest of society.

Is it that important for every one to engage in society? What if some people just want to be with the rest of nature? I have noticed some Autistic people don’t want to engage with other people. Is this because the anxiety overwhelms them so much that no body taught them how to cope with it? It’s easier to cope with the anxiety than to leave yourself isolated and lonely.

Loneliness is not only an Human problem, it’s a non-Human problem as well. Many dogs, cats, and other animals get lonely even rodents. Have you noticed plants can get lonely? In fact, have you ever thought all five kingdoms of the many organisms of life can become lonely. The point is any one who is a part of the animal kingdom needs to cope with anxiety in order to function with the rest of the animal kingdom.

Some people who can’t function with other people, need to just realize who they are to function with every one else to feel connected to another Human being. Some people can only function with other people because they are afraid of other animals. It’s very important to cope with the anxiety to function with all positive life forms. That’s where meditation and non-judgmental thoughts help out. For example, when a fly lands on your arm for a just a moment, its there for just a moment to interact with you. We not only need to accept Neurodiversity, we need to accept Biodiversity to be able to cope with the anxiety of being around others.

The best way to cope with anxiety is accepting to connect with others. By doing so, we need to accept who we are and know what works best for us. For me, I am learning to meditate to calm my mind. Give it try yourself! If you can’t cope with the anxiety doing that try to listen to positive song tunes in your head like “I Believe I can Fly” by R.Kelly or hold a small rock in your hand or use a cloth tissue to hold on to. In the end, you can get through it if you believe.

I hope this helped everyone understand how to cope with anxiety.

posting more soon,

OUT, J

Being the Person we must achieve to be

theamazinj — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:18:14 +0000

The Shadows are lying on the ground from the matter above which gradually lifts us up. Today brings us the start of Holidays. Passover for me, Easter for others who don’t acknowledge Passover, and the journey we are about to embark on is the beginning of adapting to a new generation of the universe. We feel alive and kicking, however we need to improve ourselves for the most part. No body can do change solely on their own, so we need a fraction of help from others. Ultimately, we have to do it on our own eventually.

Come as you are, come as you should be since one day you will do what you have envisioned to see. 2012 is a year of change, a year to adapt, a year to start a new era, and a year to learn more. Accepting people and who they are is just about the beginning to a peaceful bright star shining down on all of us all the time. As you read blogs like from Lydia Brown you read the words that speak about accepting somebody for what its worth. Many people like Lydia and myself want to be accepted. What does it take to be the person any one wants to be to achieve any goal?

Many people seem to be figuratively Kung Fu Fighting (like from the song from The 70′s disco era) just to be accepted and achieve their goals. Yet many people no matter who they are try to flash themselves toward the spotlight trying to engage themselves with everybody. Not every one is meant for the spotlight all the time and no body should fight to be seen in the spotlight. Like an old friend once told me, “Don’t chase the spotlight, let the spotlight come to you.” Every one has a chance for the spotlight when they work hard enough for it. However a lot of people think being accepted is being in the spotlight. Unfortunately, this is not true. Regardless, once in the spotlight, you must continue to embrace the people who care about you and the people you are engaging with daily. It is a tough job to facilitate sometimes for any one.

Being the Person we must achieve to be is to be the person we AUT to be in order to feel connections with other people. Connecting with others who care about us is more important than thinking about ourselves, but we still need to think about what we say before we say it. I just read another article recently about how not to carelessly write on social media sites because you want to be seen. The article can be read here at Social Media Sun which talks about how people who already became famous making careless mistakes on social media. We need to all take care in what we say because our life depends on it.

In that case, I leave you with this:

Being the person we are,
the person we become,
the person who stands,
who speaks,
who dreams,
who filters the sadness, anger, and rage,
who enjoys the joys;
but most importantly the person whose
future rests in our hands,
sometimes needs to sit back,
relax and learn what
the common ground is;
to harness and build a
better life to feel proud of who we are,
what we’ve done, what need to do,
and what we always do to survive,
yet feel grounded.

Love great, work hard, and remember what needs to be done to be accepted and successful! I will continue to learn from my family, peers, and professionals who in return learn from me too. Here is a current article by Amy Harmon from the New York Times, Autism Wars.

Enjoy the Passover (and Easter) weekend!!

more posts soon,

OUT, J

World Autism Awareness Day (Acceptance)!!

theamazinj — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:48:48 +0000

Autism Awareness Day spawns out Acceptance! With the awareness of people’s difference should enable us to have acquiescence. Every person deserves their right for acceptance in to this world. This feeling that brings up those thoughts are from our early learning experiences of judging, categorizing & labeling individuals who do not fall into what we believe is acceptable because our grasp of someone being different then us causes an innate perception that they should not be accepted to what society says is the ‘norm’. This sort of categorization and discrimination has been going on for thousands of years. So when is it going to STOP!

Being and feeling different is a part of Human nature. The more we change our perception of society’s citizens, the more there will be a stop in rebellion and confrontation. Ultimately, the peace we all want will finally emerge.

On this Autism Awareness (I mean Acceptance) day, I hope people find a way to accept people for what its worth. Hopefully by doing so, this will help every one to be able to work together.

A Moment of Silence

theamazinj — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:03:31 +0000

Remembering George Hodgins and other victims of disabled person’s abuse

There has been much sadness over the tragic passing of George Hodgins a few weeks ago. He was murdered by his own mother. This tragic passing has created a soar of sympathy for the many autistic people murdered by their own caretakers and family members. Many people have come together with the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network by creating a day of mourning on this very day March 30, 2012.

It is very sad to hear about a disabled person who tragically died without living a fulfilled life because everybody needs to have a chance to live their life the way they want it to be. No body can take the dignity away and cut a person’s life short just because someone seems different. Life continues to move on yet we need to remember those people who couldn’t live their life the way it could have been because their lives were cut short. We need to continue work hard so that one day we don’t just think of what good we could do for ourselves, but what we can do to help a person who has a disability.

People become disabled every day, some acquired from childhood while others become disabled from life experiences or health issues. Whatever way it is, we live our own life feeling positive and trying the best we can. When you take a look at an Autistic person’s life such as George Hodgins, he had many issues being Autistic, but he needed the support from his family to accomplish his dreams. Sometimes it just takes love to feel comforted with everything you do and feel supported by people who care about you. Love builds between people only when there is enough patience to hold on and support the person you care about.

People may not believe what love can do or they may not have enough patience for the person they have to care about, however people have to learn to feel other people’s pain without walking away feeling like they can’t do anything. Part of loving someone is having empathy and part of growing is to love others. Otherwise you learn to develop negative feelings toward people.

Today its time to think about not only the tragic deaths of disabled folks from their caretakers/family members who murdered them (like in the case of George Hodgins), but also we need to all start giving more love toward each other. Being different is not a specific trait, its just being Human. If you are having trouble to love and care for any one, then start today!

There are many Vigils around today on this day of Mourning, so I hope you come to one of the vigils to remember those autistic and disabled victims who have died tragically remembering what your human spirit was made for. If you can’t make it to one of the Vigils today, I hope you devote a moment of your time today to reflect on your human spirit to give to people with disabilities what you have given yourself.

~~~A moment of silence~~~

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

Dalai Lama

In addition, the documentary, Bully has started its limited engagement in theaters across the nation. Not only should we think about the disabled victims who were killed by caretakers/family members, but we should also think about the disabled victims of bullies who tragically passed on too.

OUT, J

Sunny and Bright with Shadows All Around

theamazinj — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:51:17 +0000

Look at the picture:

What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They’re really saying I love you.

Nature
Love
Security
perception
Perceptiveness
Humble
Loving
Joyous
Kind
LIVE
Society
HUMANS
OTHER ANIMALS
LIVE!!
Having a Career to enjoy a full life!!

Life inspires to enjoy
Life inspires to create
Life inspires to connect
Life inspires to believe
Life inspires to be friendly
Life inspires to feel good about our life
Most importantly, life inspires to be comfortable in our own space!

So, don’t push too close and don’t push away too far, just be yourself with others to live a life with a mission to learn who you are, to love, and to experience a journey to make your mark!

Some people don’t know what they can do to enjoy life. It’s Sunny, It’s Bright, It’s Shining outside, don’t get lost when there is a Storm, just walk forward breaking the fear of the darkness. It’s not dark forever.
It just takes a moment to wait for the beautiful dawn to appear with shadows there to guide us.

Find your mission and go with it and remember everybody remembers what good we bring to the world! Enjoy the love and the creations we make because the beauty of the center of the sun shines bright on all of us.

OUT, J

Submissions being Accepted now for Autistic Artistic Carnival for June 18, 2012

theamazinj — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:43:41 +0000

This is for any Autistic person from childhood through Adulthood to submit their work to my email address to be posted on my website on June 18, 2012. I am accepting any work from a creative work of art, writing, music, film, documentary, or someone who liked to introduce their latest positive productive invention they created to help Autistic people be seen as an important part of society. So dream up your latest creation or invention, get to work, and send your stuff to me to be posted on DMC on June 18, 2012, Autistic Pride Day. It’s your time, it’s time for us, Autistic people to SHINE NOW!!!

Email submissions can be sent to my email address at autisticprideday@gmail.com by June 1, 2012 by 11:59:59pm!!

Mailbag for 3/7/2012

theamazinj — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:24:59 +0000

Here is a New Mailbag which can benefit everyone:

Mail from Madison:

Hi,
My name is Madison. I’m sure you saw by the name space, but anyway! I’m in high school and I have been watching documentaries and saw the one with you in it and you caught my attention and I wanted to check out your website. I was reading through some of your writing and they are truly amazing. You have a real talent for seeing things differently in the world. Its unique, I like it! I guess I just wanted to complement you, and I just had a couple questions. Its alright if you don’t have time! I understand, we all get busy!

What are some life lessons you have learned?
What really inspires you in life?
What makes you push through hard time?

Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Madison

Dear Madison,

I just wanted to post your letter on DMC because I felt others probably wanted to know the same things you wanted to know. Thank you for watching the This Emotional Life series and enjoying reading my blog.

The first question you have asked me, What are some life lessons you have learned? I have learned many lessons in life, but recently I have learned not to be too trusting of others all the time. Its not good to always trust everyone because you never know when you will be deceived. Another lesson I have learned is knowing how and when to stand up for myself which is a constant learning experience for me.

What really inspires me in life? I feel this is a rhetorical question for many people, but I feel a necessary one too. I feel really inspired by the many people who have succeeded before me knowing or not knowing they were on the autism spectrum. I find inspiration most of the time by going to a park to observe my surroundings lately. I feel really inspired by the many people who have succeeded before me knowing or not knowing they were on the autism spectrum. Even if it means just watching the current flowing in the water, the winds blowing the trees and blowing air through me, or watching other animals walk around as other people move forward not noticing them. I find inspiration by going to an art museum or listening songs like “Angels” by Robbie Williams. I always look toward my spirituality and I have always found Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time” to be very inspiring. Every one should look themselves in the mirror sometimes to see what they can change to be a better person. However, every one should triumph toward their goals in this “One Moment In Time” to be themselves and no body else. Its good to be who you “AUT” to be because you never know what a difference you can make in the world. However certain changes sometimes need to be made in order to be a better person.

What makes you push through hard time? Well, I am always going through rough spots in my life, but I always get through them after all the headaches others put me through. My passion is to help people in any way I can in the most creative way I can think of. Even if it means getting up and getting out there to help a person in need. I know she wasn’t Jewish, but Mother Theresa put herself out there in such a way too. Although I find I need to spend a lot of time by myself in meditation to clear my mind and body from other people’s influences to be my own person.

Thank you for asking these questions and I really appreciate the kind words about me. I hope you continue to read my blog for further new posts whether its the latest AAC 2012 or fiction stories I write or showing new things I create or just to feel inspired.

Have a great day and beyond!!

Mail from Tim:

Jason I saw part of your video on PBS. I have a 7 year old grandson who received a diagnosis of Aspergers at age 5 1/2. He was quite normal before this time, but has become very difficult to handle as he ages. I love him very much. He holds grudges against me when I correct him. He lives with his mom in Colorado. His dad is an over the road trucker and is home only 2 days a month. His mom is home schooling him. He is in the second grade. He has explosions that are difficult to understand. His explanations are very hard for me to understand. I feel I can’t help him, but want to very much. He enjoys coming to grandpas overnight several times a week. We usually have a good time, but then sometimes without any warning he blows up and pushs over furniture and screams. I am working with his mom discussing this. She has a good understanding of what he is going through, and is a great help to me. She beleives she has Aspergers and thinks her husband has it too.
I would like to communicate with you in writing, if you would be willing. I have some questions to ask you that might help me understand him and behave in a way that is better for him.
I am a psychotherapist, but I feel very humbled by ”Joey’s” struggle. I hurt for him and want to help him grow and develop to reach his full potential.
Thanks
Tim

Dear Tim,

I really can understand what you are going through with your grandson. First off, I think in order to start helping your grandson, you need to accept who he is by attempting to enter into his world. Many people on the autism spectrum including Aspergers tend not to feel accepted by who they are. We want to fit in with society, but get extremely anxious or overloaded if we aren’t connecting to anyone around us. We all deal with this in different ways. Some of us vent with our emotions, some of us retreat to nature, some of us start feeling very depressed/lonely, and some of us just continue to be who we are not caring what others think. Its matter of how the person copes with not connecting well to other people. Human beings need to connect to others, that’s just how it always is. No matter how hard it may be to see your grandson exploding his anger at his family, the entire family needs to understand why its happening to him. Your entire family needs to accept he is different and try to help him succeed with his differences. Sometimes its a matter of acceptance and exploring his world which can bring every one to new heights. The autism spectrum is an entirely different world than how Neurotypicals view society. However you will have to teach him how to self monitor himself to the rest of society so that your grandson knows how to switch it on and off. I have learned in the past, its important to be adaptable in society in certain instances like when with a friend always or as an adult on the job. There will come a time when he will know when to adapt and when to be himself. It just takes time to teach him, thus, becoming the person he most certainly will be. Some of us are Visual Thinkers (like myself and Dr. Temple Grandin), some of us are Math/Pattern thinkers, and some of us are just verbal thinkers (Just the way Temple Grandin puts it). I really want to thank you for your email. I hope I have been much help for you so that you can help your grandson and also continue to learn more about the autism spectrum. Please continue to read my blog for continued inspiration and enjoyment. By the way, you can also read the resources page at Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism for any additional books, films, etc. to help you along the way.

Sincerely,

Mail about Artistas Cafe in Tampa Florida:

I received an email from a producer of a short documentary about a Mercedez-Benz dealership in Tampa, Florida who created jobs for people on the autism spectrum to work in a coffee cafe. I think the more employers are willing to hire people with disabilities especially on the autism spectrum, the more employers will see the benefits we can all give them.

Enjoy the short documentary from the link below:

Aristas Cafe

And don’t forget Autism Friendly Screenings are being shown everywhere from many different organizations around the world. The United Kingdom’s Autism Friendly Screening of the movie “John Carter” is one of those many films being shown. I fully support these functions to help an Autistic person to fully enjoy going to see the movie of their choice.

Finally, I hope you are having a great week and enjoy the warm weather coming our way. More posts in the near future…

OUT, J

Accepting society and who we are

theamazinj — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:49:39 +0000

The weather is changing, February ends, the Ides of March is beginning to start. I can sense change. A feeling of sadness brings feelings of joy. When Purim begins I noticed the sun brightens each day. This year is still a transition, but with every transition we realize what a good life we live after all.

Since the day I was given a second chance, from the end of Summer, beginning of Fall, those times ago, I have sensed changes taking place. When my body went under while those faithful hands held on to a wand, the wizard performed his work. Then, I began to fly in to the skies for just a few moments.

Time and time again, I worked on the depths of my control, but realizing we need acceptance. I sensed the light,the skies, the passing Palace, but most of all I sensed I needed to correct my mistakes. Sometimes we don’t want to accept those mistakes continuously repeating the same scenario in our minds. However, if we can fulfill our hopes of living a more successful life, then we need more acceptance in all parts of our lives.

Sometimes its a matter of accepting what we have been brought here to do for this faithful planet. Most importantly we need to be able to give to society what talents we have, therefore not being someone we are not. Deep thoughts into our higher self, reveal one thing and nothing else further which inspires us to live.

Some of that might be to do something we are highly capable of while others may just be what we are not able to do, but motivated to try. Even though we try hard to do something, we explore all possibilities of what fits us best. Journeying in our life, we find the time to sit and breathe hard, the moments pass us by, and we encounter the realness we need in our life.

Sometimes we try something because we think we know what we want. Notwithstanding we need to feel empowered to lift the forces of nature to wake up to smell the flowers. I have been sleeping for quite some time, not accepting who I am, and I didn’t realize my purpose.

Fortunately, I feel the evolution of my life bringing forth greater acceptance of self and society around me slowly. Distinctively, I am returning closer to the enlightenment I have listened to in my mind as I fall asleep after each sunny day: to be able to accept things I repressed since I was a child and accept many other aspects of life. Acceptance truly inspires a powerful positive force to feel and be successful. My diction of my life says, to just be myself and life will go smoothly. However, my determination to be myself is not well accepted in my every day life. I start to appear in society as who I am, looking forward to more successes in my future.

There are many things I want to do to be successful in my life, but the most important thing to me is to help others in any way I can in my most creative way.

Ability Caring Coping Excellence Performance Teaching, Allowing New Catchy Explorations (ACCEPTANCE) to

Dream, Intellectualize, Create, Empower, and Succeed!!

additional posts coming this week,

OUT, J

To Feel Empowered To be who we are, To be Energized to Help ourselves and others

theamazinj — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:38:28 +0000

Today I am feeling good about what I do, however I have been reading many different other blog entries which are very sad. People need to feel pepped up in life rather than feel down. We should all continue to read other people’s stories as many other people have interesting stories to tell. My courage to entering the medical field as a ultrasonographer specializing in the cardiovascular (circulatory system) has been really rough. Though, as I just saw a quote by our President, Barack Obama on twitter telling the American people “In America, we don’t give up, we get up!” By doing so, no matter how hard someone beats you down with your work, you should hit back…harder until you have proven yourself. That is what makes anybody a superstar in their chosen profession or job. I know I am a great Ultrasound Tech because I know what I can do to do it right. Its time for anyone to feel empowered in their life!

I started a group where I live for Autistic Adults and it is still a work in progress. It is for Adults anywhere along the spectrum who want to smooth out their Self-Advocacy skills and feel empowered to live a more fulfilled life. Most people on the Autistic spectrum struggle to stand up for themselves. However if we all can come together to feel more empowered, more secure, a lot more stronger than what we already are, we’d be able to handle life much better. We have a right to live our lives without other people trampling all over us and not feeling overwhelmed by somebody who thinks they can get away with it. AUSSE (Autistics Uniting for Self-Advocacy, Support, and Empowerment) was evolved to help any Adult on the autism spectrum. It’s time for strength, it’s time for the greatest love of all, it’s time to have the ability to feel good about what all of us do who are on the autistic spectrum. That’s why AUSSE was created and that is why it’s time for a change in what this whole world will think about Autistic people as a whole from children to teenagers to Adults all throughout life!!

GRASP, ASAN, Adaptations were the start for me and will continue to be there for me. However AUSSE is the beginning of much more, for everyone everywhere. May be AUSSE can help bring everyone together to end the anger, to end the frustration, to end the arguments, to just be one community giving a helping hand. As the lyrics from the song “Return to Innocence” By Engima;

If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don’t hide
Just believe in destiny

It’s important to help yourself, however once you have helped yourself, you can help other people to do what you have done for yourself. A lot of people have said I have great tenacity, great resilience, and great strength. Rarely do I get depressed. I have fought hard and I have fight even harder for more of a life for myself, for anyone who wants it too. No body can take that strength away from me.

We are all here together for a reason, to feel connected, to fear less, to be who we are, who we AUT to be in this world to be positive contributing members in this whole society. No body should feel like they can’t do something, when they actually can contribute to something to feel special, to feel proud, to feel connected to the world around them. Every one is meant to do something to help in society and feel empowered to stand up for themselves. Overall isn’t that what anyone needs for their life! I hope every one supports my new group organization I created and spread the word for Autistic people around the spectrum to feel more empowered to stand up to help themselves.

Its time to start being the Ultrasound Technologist I once was again to show everyone what a superstar does to become stronger and more vital part of the community. I know the government may be putting a stall on reimbursement for medical testing, but may be all of us can also come together to finally get it right no matter what the circumstance is. President Obama is our choice to create a better more constructive society to help everyone live their life. BELIEVE in him and you will see good changes taking place so don’t fight it! It will take awhile to see the changes take full effect so we need to be patient.

Hope everyone starts their week out very well and enjoys who they are to feel special!

Posting more soon,

OUT, J

Living One Moment In Time To Be Who We Are

theamazinj — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:48:42 +0000

Sometimes life hits you in the nose,
and you wonder, What the heck?
Sometimes life smacks you harder and breaks your nose,
and you say, What the hell!!
Then, you begin to realize what you were intended for,
and you say, “Ahhhhh!!”

As we mourn Whitney Houston, we realize what great talent can do for us, but we also realize the repercussions of great talent too. She suffered a great deal because she took a wrong turn. Sometimes not every one can handle the life of having great talent in their field, however, sometimes even great talent need guidance too. One moment in time that’s what friends are for, our one moment in time of pleasure and enjoyment. Our one moment in time when friends help us make the right decisions. Sometimes we don’t know what friends do for us and sometimes we just don’t know what they can do for us. However we can’t go on without friends. Sometimes it is tough to know who is being a friend and who isn’t. Whitney Houston was a great talented singer who took the road less traveled and suffered by it. Now she has died and everyone mourns…What a tragedy, what a sad moment in time to see a great singer leave us. Rest in Peace Whitney Houston.

Lately, I have learned more and more who I can depend on as friends. Some people who say they are my friends, are really just people who don’t care for my well-being. How rude of these people to actually do this to me. They manipulate and draw attention only for their own personal gain. Fortunately, I am learning to repel these individuals and be who I am.

I am a leader and no one can take that away from me. I look at my leaders before me, beside me who look at me, and they feel I can do it. That’s what my one moment in time is and I just need to stand up to accept it. No body can take that away from me whoever it is. Leadership is all about talking when every one else listens (not when someone talks not knowing what they are talking about) because being a leader takes presence, extraordinary presence. There are fake leaders and there are true leaders, however the fake leaders who think they have a presence tend to float away like dust when every one realizes they don’t know what they are talking about. Fortunately, we learn from the true leaders before us who started their leadership movements in the past to carve us to another true leader for others to follow. Sometimes we exist to fight for our rights because there are people who don’t accept who their leaders are. Some of these people who will always exist in our lives always try to take charge, but they soon realize their own realistic fate of who they really are.

Its important to be who you are (not what you aren’t) because everyone around you will see you are a fake anyway. Begin your life as who you are and take your fate to follow your dreams even if it means a little sacrifice in the beginning. It is a long strange road to success, however all of us need to have the inner strength to be who we should be, who we AUT to be.

Hmmmm, I think this leads me to wondering the lyrics of the song “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson:

“If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change.”

Everyone will feel a whole lot better once they accept who they are, be who they can be, who they are, who they AUT to be, and succeed in all their endeavors as who they are. Once you look in the mirror at what you look like, you can make changes you don’t like about yourself, and feel much better once those changes take place. Next time you walk down a street where you live, don’t think, don’t even shed a tear, just be the humble person you were intended to be to observe very closely all the people around you who may feel hurt from society. We all experience the world differently, but we all feel the same. Unfortunately there are bullies in life who try to manipulate who we are and make us afraid to become who we are. Luckily every dog has its day especially for bullies. We all experience them, we all deal with them the best we can, and hopefully our friends helps us conquer them when we need friends around us.

I have more posts on its way!!

OUT, J

A Head’s Up coming for Autistic Pride Day once again this June!!

theamazinj — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:42:42 +0000

As its already February 2012, I just wanted every one to start thinking about what they would like to create for APD 2012 to be posted on this blog. I will be posting more information about project number 3 on this blog sometime the end of March.

Posting more soon,

OUT, J

Cardiac Ultrasound tools

theamazinj — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:20:42 +0000

This is the BEST Ultrasound machine I ever used!!

Philips CX-50!!

This is what Venous Reflux looks like, check those legs… (not as clear as the CX-50, but still pretty good)

Philips CX-50!!

Just thought I’d share this with every one…because Ultrasound is such a good Art form!!

Regular postings coming soon,

OUT, J

A poem called “Life is…”

theamazinj — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:52:54 +0000

Life is…

by JSR

Life is grand only if you can
Life is blue only if you sulk
Life shows a rainbow of colors, only if you see it
Life is what you make of it, if you feel empowered
Life is a continuation of self-improvement, if you believe you can change
Life is smart, if you use your mind wisely
Life is bumps in the road, if you want to believe that,
but most importantly Life is just a new beginning each day of your successful life!

(Things will happen for the better if we can make our own succeeding day nothing more than a new day to shine. Someday I know my moment in Ultrasound will shine brighter, my moment to feel empowered to stand up for what I am to others will be greater, and the love I have deep down inside will continue to feel cherished. My family will continue to feel prouder of me and no body else in the world will walk all over me.)

It’s time to shine the starry night and see everything I am capable of!

posting more soon especially about a group I am starting,

OUT, J

Be who you are or Be who you ‘AUT’ to be

theamazinj — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:18:42 +0000

I am tired. I am tired of people telling me what to do with my life and tired of the many uncreative things certain people who say they are artists come up with. I feel tired of how some people mock the medical field of what it truly is, to care for people. Medicine is there to help to be effective in their efforts not thinking about how much money they will gain and insurance companies should not be raising premiums. The rewards will reap for everyone if society allows it too.

I am tired. I just feel like people in society do not care about what my quality of life is and only cares about what theirs are. I just feel tired, confused, and sad. Why does every one around me have to be so damn harsh? Why can’t every one show the love for everyone else? Some people say I won’t amount to anything more than below the norm, when in fact I am a very creative person artistically who only wants to help others effectively. However much of society only want to help themselves. Its interesting to know how many people around all of society tend to escape within themselves and they say Autistics are that way, well, its the other way around for sure. I got a hint for ya, may be NT’s are really Autistic and the Autistics are really NT. Hmmm, now that sounds interesting…

Who says we can’t be who we AUT to be anyway? Who says no body in society who is considered to have a disability can’t be as successful as a person like Steve Jobs was or Barack Obama is or the way Ghandi and Mother Theresa was or the way Patch Adams is? (BTW, I would have loved to be a doctor like Patch Adams is) What gives society the right to put limitations on people they consider to be failures of society? When in fact disability is a part of the human experience and at some point in everyone’s life, someone experiences what its like to be disabled. Whether you acquire a disability from birth or incident, everyone establishes who they are as a person, and what they can do in their skills to develop success. In addition families tend to think they know best for the individual with a disability, but there is a wonderful world out there filled with exciting ways to succeed. Don’t listen to anyone but yourself when knowing how and what you want to succeed in because otherwise you will wind up not being true to yourself!

My life has been a wracking wheel from a broken car. I have not been living up to who I am, what I can do to succeed, and be independent. However I do have Aspergers (Autistic) by the definition society gives me and been disabled by certain incidents in my life. When is society going to accept me for who I am and when is society going to accept disability for what its worth. Its not a bad thing, its a experience we all have to go through at some point or in many cases our whole lives. Therefore it does not mean certain people who can do it, can’t be contributors in society. Although some people just need a job to feel special because any other jobs they wouldn’t qualify for anyway. Many other parents often feel upset because they don’t want their child to work a minimum wage job. They want their child to live successful according to society’s standard of success. Disability is disabling, but its also a greater strength than any other person who has not experienced it yet. However, once they do experience it the Neurotypical develops empathy for the very first time.

Anyway I will be posting more soon and believe me its going to be a lot more often with a lot more content… (***I am going to make it right and not making any mistakes anymore because that is the main reason why I wanted to survive in 2010 even if it means working harder on this blog and striving to be a better technologist to be successful***)

Hope y’all are having a great new year so far!!

OUT, J

A New Year, A New Bridge as we start 2012

theamazinj — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:36:24 +0000

2012: What can I say? It’s another year and another chance to do what we have to do to set things right.

We have to embark on a journey where we become the person we are meant to be. However sometimes we find a bridge on our journey waiting for us to cross to another side of our adventure. If we don’t cross, we have to turn back to the lands we already discovered living in the past. By crossing the bridge, we enter in to another unknown land for an unknown future to build on what we already know. Some bridges are harder to cross because every bridge is built differently with its own uniqueness. Unfortunately, sometimes its too sad to leave a cherished part of our life.

Although at the end of each bridge leads to a new magical place filled with new adventures and heightened experience to live a more fulfilled life. Sometimes we walk and bump into a mountain to climb. As we start climbing we have to build up our stamina to conquer the adversity to reach the top. By reaching the top of each mountain we climb we become more and more successful of our own discoveries. We start really feeling good about what we did. Even though we may feel good about it, there is still much more to feel even better about to move on forward to the next great adventure.

As we cross each bridge we give the torch backward to all the others to follow what we just did. Hopefully the others gain enough strength to follow. Each impact of adversity in our lives builds our strength and strength builds character. No body should return to the land before them because simply they can’t let go. One day they will never know what new adventures they could have been through and characters they could have met to keep the flow going toward the last bridge on their journey.

Its very important to move forward crossing the bridge in front of us keeping our eyes on the other side so we can meet each unknown area. As we meet each unknown area, we find magical creatures and pathways to help us along the way to the next bridge. Sometimes we reach different doors in the lands we enter that can open our eyes to things we can use and other people who we can befriend. Some people even say “As one door closes another door opens” because we open many doors between the bridges we cross.

We all wonder what the last bridge we walk across will lead us to: our very own treasure or just lead us to nothingness. In terms of nothingness, there is no such thing. Matter is always there no matter what we do, always creating a sparkle for us to shine. The stars in the distance fly across our skies because they help us gain our perspective to crossing each bridge until the last one is standing before us. Who do we meet at the end of the last bridge? All the leaders before us who have crossed and managed to conquer all the adversity around them and waiting to help us step off the bridge.

Furthermore, when we reach the last bridge, it becomes our most cherished bridge of all. We find we need to build our strength up strongest for this bridge because a) we need to keep moving forward b) we need to watch our every step, this way we don’t fall off. At the very end of the last bridge we step foot in to our palace of freedom and reward ourselves with the leaders ahead of us who have been waiting to enjoy this palace with us. Unfortunately, some people do accidentally fall off, but are saved by those leaders before us who sense the connection broke. The leaders ahead help move their friends forward to build the connection once again. We are all connected by an imaginary line pulling us together. If the line breaks at some point, we all feel it and we all want to help bring the line back to form to continue moving forward. Every one of us has to face the same adventures, the same hardships, and cross the same bridges to get to each unknown area until they reach the final destination. Its a maze of amazing adventures and bridges to cross so keep moving forward without looking back. Please don’t mind that some people move faster than others to get through the adventures in each area to get over each bridge. Simply put, every one is different!!

Hope Everyone has a very Happy New Year in 2012 and please cross those bridges moving forward!!!

posting again soon,

OUT, J

Part I of the First ASAN Symposium

theamazinj — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:11:06 +0000

The 3 part blogging edition of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s symposium: Scientific research, Education/Employment/Inclusion in the community, and Pre-natal testing issues. I am not a trained scientist, but this is what I brought out of this meeting.

Here is Part I:

An interesting slogan that came up during the symposium:

Admit how little we know, Admit how much of our knowledge is invented/shorthand/tentative

What I learned about ETHICS from the symposium:

Equity and Excellence
Tender care
High expectations and presumed competence
Inclusion (separate is not equal)
Community
Self-advocacy and pride

This past weekend I attended the 1st symposium by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The symposium was held at Harvard Law School and the topics that were presented were the The Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Autism Research. The ASAN President Ari Ne’eman led the conference with other Autistic Adults and many participants involved with Autism research from universities, the federal government, and the United Kingdom.

It explored many issues of why scientific researchers are not fully capturing the quality of life all Autistic people need. Science is an exceptional useful methodology. It helps make discoveries about who we are for the greater truth of our existence. The symposium brought together why Autistic rights and Autism research should be building a participatory framework. Funds should be built on quality of life than prevention and cure. It is hopeful that this new dialogue will bring every one in the Autistic community as a whole so that we are united in our common goals.

The following statements are paraphrases of what some of the speakers spoke about at the symposium: Some challenges to Autism research is when scientific elitism and the fear of engagement (the unknown) become problematic. One of the main issues is how elitism and bias are hindrance to helping Autistic people have better quality of life. “Bias is bad science and bad practices” [From my understanding the discussion was about scientific bias, assuming a theory was true or false without evidence]. The indifference of scientists is shown when they act as if they know better. However, this is not necessarily true. There is no prescribed way that we engage in our research and we all need to learn from one another. There are a lack of structural mechanisms and there is a need to resolve conflicts. We need to resolve these issues through representation and self-advocacy in the Autistic community. For instance, the symposium participants feel the problem with the DSM is the committee is trying to do 2 things at once: using a tool to determine Who is Autistic? And, using a tool to see What people are doing about that?

The participants at the symposium suggested a need to switch from describing how Autism is a deficit to neutral language. This change will give others an understanding that Autism is just a natural human development in our existence. Learning more about this, researchers need to observe every one more rather than continue the prejudices some of these researchers have already in their minds causing continued decision bias. The symposium stressed we need to all understand policy and law not being the highest standard of our thinking in strengthening our social relationships. Ultimately this will give us all a path in the right direction toward making objective decisions.

In my next 2 posts, I will further detail the ideas and plans the symposium participants talked about.

_________________________________________________________________________

Parts 2 and 3 coming very soon,

OUT, J

A Week of physical illness and now I feel more gratified reflecting on who I am

theamazinj — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:46:08 +0000

As I sit my room reflecting on a horrified week of how a stomach virus almost wiped me out completely, I am hearing a song on the radio; “You Gotta Be” by DES’REE. So, this past week I was sick. I had not written a post and most of you were probably thinking “What’s going on?” I have been reflecting this morning on what new future endeavors I can actually pursue building my future.

Sometimes I think about this song “What’s Up?” by 4 Non-Blondes because it really takes the words right out of my mouth, WHAT’S UP?!! I think about who I am and what I can do for this world. Does what a single person’s words have so much influence over so many people?

A golden stroke of genius of blogging is bringing forth the golden opportunity to let all our voices and stories be heard. Some people question it while other people love it, but it is a remarkable dream come true. After saying for 1 week I will be silent, it truly did happen because I was sick for a whole week. OMG, how wicked is that! I can’t believe it, I was actually taken seriously…

Here I am, this is me, I am here to start a new era, a new day, and my new idea, A new concept for you all to understand: Integrity for All not just Acceptance!

We have the right to live to be who we are, who we ‘AUT’ to be, who we WANT to be, and who we CAN BE!!!

Is not fair when people are given limitations to what they are and CAN do? If someone is given a gift, they have to honor that gift and make every one proud of what they received. The gift should help spread love, acceptance, integrity, and moving forward in time to the special roads leading us home at the end. Special directions tell us all roads lead to home, but only 1 road leads us their safely with less bumps.

What we need to contribute to the world is just a little bit more love than we have given in the past. Smile, every thing will be OK! Finding what your niche in society is important. Working builds confidence and working always ensures after doing a passionate job that every one can have fun later. Some people can be in the medical field while others different things. Can every one be an Ultrasound Tech? No. Can every one read Auras? No. Can every one find their inner spirit? YES. Can every one find the purpose in life? YES. Can every one earn a living? Of Course.

From this way forward I hope you hold on to that Integrity, bring on the Love, Give your Acceptance of any one you meet in this world who needs to know they are Human too.

posting more this week,

OUT, J

Silence is a Golden Opportunity to learn more

theamazinj — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:29:51 +0000

The best way to teach someone a lesson when they can’t learn any thing else is by giving that person the silent treatment. Silence is very powerful in a lot of ways more powerful than hearing someone speak. Sometimes you need to be silent in order to get your meaning across. Powerful messages are sent across at least 2 people when nothing is being said. Body language expresses more feeling than the spoken word. Think about it! Before we could talk, thousands of years ago, there were no telephones, televisions, computers, or even conversations between 2 people. Instead there was silence and body language. The best thing that we can all do in life is to feel the silence and not communicate with spoken words.

For once, there should be a whole week of silence in the world where people only communicate through body language. This can really help those people who are highly verbal to learn how to use their own body language to get their messages to others. The silent treatment game is very important. Don’t speak, Don’t mutter, and Don’t make a single noise and if you have to, just go in to a dark room all by yourself and scream where no one else can hear you. The game should last 1 week. Are you ready? Can you handle the power of silence? It is Sunday today so decide when the silence will begin for 1 week. It is your best way to also feel your spirituality control you, not being afraid of the unknown.

Silence is a golden opportunity to learn new things and observe the world better.

Take the opportunity to be silent for 1 whole week with not even a mutter or a whisper. The game of Silence will begin shortly.

post more soon, but before you see more; SILENCE!!

OUT, J

A Social Support Group I am starting where I live!!

theamazinj — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:07:16 +0000

What represents you and your purpose?

theamazinj — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:26:58 +0000

So, what represents you and your purpose? What color is your Aura? This can also be a very confusing statement like saying, what is your autistic spectrum disorder? I happen to be very spiritual. Auras are unique, but there are different kinds. Most people think Auras represent moods, but really they represent multiple things including your life purpose. Some people are single colors while others are combination colors. In addition, if someone has a black Aura, they are really hiding something they prefer not to share. A black Aura refers sometimes to what people are afraid of at a moment in their life. Every one has their fears. Sometimes these fears build up too much creating anger, frustration, hate, and suffering.

How can people let go of their fears? Relax, it’s okay to just let go. The first step is harder than any one would think. For example, speaking up to assert your rights and let others know what you stand for. Life is a learning process and every one learns something new every day. If someone is afraid of animals especially dogs, there is a reason for it, but they should confront the fear to enjoy the breadth of wonderful living beings too.
There are many things we can all learn from animals too.

The first step in learning to know your own Aura is to be open-minded and honest with yourself. Life’s journey goes farther only if you are open to doing what your passion is, forgetting about the negative perspectives others plant in your mind. For example, its important to be realistic about your talent(s), but not let any one convince you any limitations in your success. Its true that there are some who are very limited in their success, but for those who can should just do it.

There are many things I want to do in this lifetime, and I feel I can do it. Most importantly, I need to spend most days on my own becoming my own individual. I will always have my angels guiding me during my lifetime which I will unite with later on, but for now I can only sense their spirit helping me every day always. There are different kinds of guardian angels here on Earth too and these angels sometimes walk in to our lives to help the spiritual angels get their message across.

Its been a whole year since last Thanksgiving and today just before the big Turkey day, we need to all reflect on what our own life purpose is to give us our integrity. Auras are interesting, but not every one is open-minded to allow their purpose control them. Instead some people let others control them.

Remember: Your purpose in life is to feel and work your passion which contributes to the world letting go of your fear to be who you are!!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and hope all of you are having a great week!!

posting more soon,

OUT, J

Autistics Speaking Day: How to find your voice!

theamazinj — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:00:11 +0000

“Autistics Speaking Day” (ASDay)… What does it mean? Well, it means a few things: 1. Speak up when you feel uncomfortable about what is being said to you, 2. Let your voice be heard when someone is arguing with you, 3. Speak up so your thoughts & ideas are presented, 4. Speak up with confidence so your voice will be acknowledged, 5. Speak up because you are a very important person. These are just a few reasons to speak up to tell other people, “Hey I have rights too, y’know.” and “I am not a shmuck or schmo” or “I am here and no body will push me around.”

I thought I would tell the story of a man who once stepped all over me like I was dirt and mud on the ground, but I’d rather not rehash the negative. Instead I have to move forward in my quest to have my voice heard & I want others to be able to do the same.

Finding a dream we want, finding our way to be who we are, or finding who we ‘Aut’ to be can be a difficult process in our lives. “Autistics Speaking Day” is a start to allow and give us a format to be heard. Although the individuals who are high profile in the autism community have the privilege of large numbers of people to hear their voices. That does not diminish or silence our voices.

Being your own self-advocate and asserting your rights is not a natural ability for any one. You must be willing to learn to do it right. It’s important to speak your mind, however, you must listen to what the response is. Maybe there is a misunderstanding why the person had those thoughts, they may have made assumptions they should not have made. The good point is most people are willing to learn or at least that is my hope.

Think about it for awhile on your own using your intuition about how you will speak up in any situation. Its easy, first sit back, relax, and meditate for about 15 minutes or so. Clear the rest of your emotions and thoughts out. Now think how you can approach that person who does not treat you with respect and dignity. How would you be able to get your message to be heard by that person? It is not by lowering yourself to their level, cursing, or shouting. It is with well thought out words, calmly, and with poise explaining to them how hurtful they can be at times to you.

When we speak up to someone who disgusts us, we have to think about what we really need to say to them to get them to understand we’re not going to take it. The most important thing before you you speak up to this individual is to try and find an outlet to get rid of all those angry and hurt feelings that are festering inside. If you are unable to get rid of the negative feelings, you will continue to have those feelings which will become worse inside and you will feel ready to explode at any moment.

“Autistics Speaking Day” is really about being heard, but also about listening to how we speak to other people as well. It is a daily learning experience about becoming a self-advocate and the more we advocate for ourselves the more effectively we will be heard. In return, we will also learn how to listen to our counterparts who are learning from us. The more successful we become in speaking up, the more confident and comfortable we will be in society. Speaking/Listening is the first step in setting and accepting boundaries.

Do what you love, do what you can, speak your mind, and LISTEN!!

posting more soon, but for now Happy Autistics Speaking Day!!

OUT, J

How connecting to others truly heals us!

theamazinj — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:02:11 +0000

We spin around, we fly, we live, …so to speak. Life is a journey getting ready to fly, but we don’t really fly our whole life. How do we get there? Well, we have to LIVE a fulfilled life filled with love, passion to do good, being who we ‘AUT’ to be, and earning a living.

Our energy brings us to the one thing we all love doing for the rest of our life, but some people resist that energy. There are many ways to helping others. Some people are doctors while others can heal in other ways. Some people are meant to give tests for the doctors while some are meant to heal a disconnection among others like what Steve Jobs did with the iPHONE/iPAD. Some people are just meant to listen and give advice. Some people are meant to build things, create, or invent. Most importantly we are all meant for something to do no matter what it may be.

Healing is very important whether you can heal with your hands in surgery or heal with your body or heal with your mind or just heal with your energy. Energy can be unique, but in a lot of ways very strong. There is good energy and there is bad energy. When developing our own energy, we should be aware of our feelings and emotions. If you are afraid, angry and in denial, your energy will be filled with a strong sense of resistance to society. If you are accepting and non-judgmental, then you will have a strong sense of liberty to fly anywhere, figuratively, to an area that fills your heart up.

When connecting to others, you must find a way to connect to them by going in to their world to learn about them even for just a few minutes a day. This may be hard for many people to do especially when trying to connect to a person with a disability. When someone has a disability, others need to find a way to connect and learn from the person who is struggling more than they are. Once you connect with your friend, your family member, or your spouse with a disability then and only then will you know how that person may truly feel. Some people who have a disability don’t want to be changed loving their world, while others want to be like every one else. Being who you ‘Aut’ to be means being the person you are and want to become.

Think about this idea for a moment: We all are living and breathing on this earth, but we all think and look alike. We all strive for the same things, do the same things to make a living, and contribute in the same way. How would you really feel about society? Well, in the 1940′s we fought World War II because we didn’t want every one to be the same. We wanted Diversity, Neurodiversity, without even thinking about those words.

Now think about our society today: Every one looks different, thinks different, and contributes to society in a different productive manner.

Think about these concepts for just a few minutes today, then walk to some friend, relative, family member, or spouse trying to connect to their world. It does not matter what label that person has. Once you do this, write down a list about what you learned by connecting to their world even if the person has a disability like being on the autism spectrum. Once you do this, you will realize the first step in healing because of the connection you started. Negative emotions begin within anyone because people lack connections with others.

I know I haven’t posted in a while, but more posts coming soon…

OUT, J

Inspiration from the late Steve Jobs in photos…(How do you like them Apples?)

theamazinj — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:16:43 +0000

Posting more soon,

OUT, J

As Life turns and we spin around toward it we feel more connected…

theamazinj — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:53:05 +0000

Spinning around the room we try to find the life which turns toward us. The people who live in the future and the people who gaze in to our corners respond to our familiar remarks and smirks. We contribute to whatever we can in the world knowing it will all get better. Life takes twists and turns, ups and downs, but most importantly life gives us the challenge to improve our spirituality. Spirituality which helps give ourselves our own psychic intuition which most people don’t understand, fear, or forget about to include it in their lives. Instead people like to feel connected to other people which is what the Apple corporation strive to help give people the connections they desire. Steve Jobs led this movement at Apple and gave us so much.

Unfortunately, yesterday Steve Jobs passed away, but he left behind a legacy to help people inspire to be creative thinkers who think outside the box. He may not be here in body anymore, but his fulfillment to help people connect better, lives on in us, to feel more enticed to the connections we make. Steve Jobs knew what we wanted and figured out ways to give it to us in the most efficient manner, making technology utterly amazing.

Although his work is amazing, it also contributed to a lot of negative contributions like changing the way bullies do things. However his contributions has created good things for the world by instantly feeling connected to another person without thinking of being all by yourself. Instead of figuring out how to meet those connections in person which is the way of the past, we now find it easier to have conversations with new people.

By the way by meeting a person in the so called ‘real’ world, it gives us a means of growing more in our spirit by feeling confident in how we present ourselves. However, the internet helps make us become a better person by giving us ways to present who we are in real life by giving us examples of professional pictures of what other people post. It also helps by certain websites which help us create virtual characters like on Second Life. We need to choose what will make us a better, more confident, and more easily satisfied person with our intuition toward being spiritual.

Some people refer to Steve Jobs as the great inventor of our time, well he certainly wrote a lot in our history books. We frequently want our world to be a better place no matter what we do, and feeling the most connected to others around us is what helps. Just try not to get too close to others… The other thing Steve Jobs taught us was boundaries because he certainly knew how to set his boundaries straight between private and public lives.

May we move forward remembering the legacy of Steve Jobs and move forward to the distinction we have to live our own life!! Remember you have your own psychic intuition to connect within yourself.

posting more soon,

OUT, J

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