Mailbag from Krisna:

Dear Jason,

I had the greatest pleasure to watch a PBS special in my Health class today and gained inspiration in the least expected place!!

When I saw/heard your story… I was moved on many levels! You are a courageous and strong person. I admire your ambition.

I just wanted to let you know, your story has reached another person in this world and your story is inspiring!!

And I absolutely am in AWE with your postings, poetry, and creativity! It is a true and blessed gift you have! You made me smile multiple times and that is something I have not done in awhile! And I thank you!

Always your fan and friend!!

Thank you Krisna for being a fan of this blog and watching my feature on This Emotional Life. I am really am happy I can make you smile from what I write. I am working on more creative works of art both in writing and drawing, so I hope you can gear up to read or see them as soon as I post them. Hope you are having a good week! J

Mailbag from Gabrielle:

Jason, today in one of my classes and we are watching a movie that you are in. I just wanted to let you know that you truly inspire me. I know that you face more struggles and difficulties because of Asperger Syndrome. It is this that makes me proud of you, although I don’t know you. I just want to say, no matter what life throws at you, stay strong. I am very proud of you and think of you as an inspiration! Thanks for your time!

Hi Gabrielle, I appreciate all of your kind words about me after watching This Emotional Life. I am always facing many struggles and challenges in life because I have Asperger’s Syndrome. I am glad I have been able to give you some inspiration from my story. Be well, J

Mailbag from Rayn:

I found out about your site after seeing you on This Emotional Life and although I do not know you personally, I can say that from your writing and from the footage displayed in the documentary that you are indeed an amazing person. In my senior year of high school I met and became friends with a girl that had Asperger’s Syndrome. People, including some of my friends would say mean things about her and call her weird, but I knew deep down she was just as lovely as the next person.

All in all, I really enjoy[ed]what you have to say!

Thank you Rayn for enjoying seeing me on This Emotional Life. I really am appreciative of the beautiful words you say about me. I am sorry to hear about your friend who has Asperger’s syndrome. Unfortunately, it is very common for many people with Asperger’s Syndrome, male or female, to be looked down upon in high school being teased or bullied. I am happy you are friends with this person. In any case, I have seen the world to be a very cruel place to live in many times. It has made me feel stronger inside as an adult because of my past experiences. However, there are a few Adults who sometimes look down upon me. We just have to learn to ignore it and know those people are ignorant. peace, J

(Alright that is the mailbag for today!)

OUT, J

An Email from Becky.

Dear Jason,
I just rewatched your episode of _This Emotional Life_ on PBS and decided to come check out your blog. I am a nurse on a post-surgical floor and would love any tips you could provide on caring for autistic people after surgery.
I can’t wait for your book!

I mean, literally, I can’t wait. I want to know now. :O)
Hoping you’re still healing well,
Becky

The next email I chose is from a nurse named Becky. I was thrilled to get this email because I just had surgery and she ‘works on a post-surgical floor who wants to know tips on caring for autistic people after surgery’. Anyway, I am working slowly o this manuscript I am writing, but need to work a bit more quickly with less distraction around me. I can give you a few hints for caring for post surgical patients with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 1) Make sure a very flexible, nurturing, and cooperative nurse cares for the patient every day even if it means the same nurse every day 2) That the nurse understands how people on the Autism Spectrum have Sensory processing problems causing overload and stimming behavior 3) Knowing people with ASD can have communicative problems and/or language difficulties. 4) Know that people on the Autism Spectrum have a different kind of nervous system and the anesthesia can cause problems even after surgery. That’s all I’ll say for now! 🙂 I will go more in depth in the book.

Thank you Becky for your email and I hope all is well with you. I really appreciate that you enjoyed the show I was featured on last year.

Posting again soon,

OUT, J

Today’s mail comes from Kim.

Hello Jason, I found your site while watching the PBS documentary ”This Emotional Life”. I found your contribution to the film very genuine and courageous. I admire people who pursue happiness in spite of their troublesome situations.

The name of your website hit close to home for me. I’m a Mom who has a 14 yr old son, who, no doubt, I love dearly… Still at times I feel like he is driving me crazy. The documentary helped me see that maybe, just maybe he’s not doing it all on purpose. He seems to have difficulties understanding boundries, and truly appreciating what others are communicating to him. It may be that he has a mild form of aspergers that has been over-looked because he is higly functioning in so many ways.

Thanks again for sharing your story. I’ll be checking in on your blog from time to time, and I want you to know that I wish you the best of success as you move forward and pursue your goals in life. Be well, be safe. 🙂

I decided to post this email I received because this person made think about what it was like before I received my diagnosis. Before becoming diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the person who will be diagnosed does not understand himself or herself yet and is perceived to be driving mom (or people) crazy! The people around who have never read up on ASD before will perceive the person as an oddball. That is why its important to get evaluated to see if the child should be considered to have ASD or some other diagnosis. However, any diagnosis does not define a person, but at the same time allows any one to be who they are without feeling bad for themselves. Although some people who are diagnosed with an ASD feel even worse than before they were given it. Does that mean every one feels the same way? No! It just means every one wants different things in life. Some people like being different while others do not. It all depends on your background history before the diagnosis.

Anyway, I really appreciate the thoughtful words Kim expressed to me about being on the show telling me I was ‘courageous’ and ‘admiring me for it’. I know many people who have told me the same. In the moment of this letter I have to admit I like feeling different. It makes feel like I can achieve anything by concentrating on skills I enjoy, learn, and even create things each day.

Always be who you are and never doubt yourself or feel down that you can’t do it. Even if you are a parent struggling to raise your ASD child, always remember to learn what makes your child tick and what makes your child enjoy life. Every one enjoys their life differently as long as it does not hurt ourselves or anyone else or overstep boundaries. Thank you for your email, Kim!

I will be posting more mail bag soon and other posts as well,

OUT, J

I am trying out a new feature on the site today.  I am going to be posting inspiring or interesting emails I receive on the site in hopes that other people can learn and be inspired!

Today’s mail comes from Chaucee.

Hi Jason! I found your site through the documentary ”This Emotional Life”. My name is Chaucee and I’m a 20 year old University student in Philadelphia. I just wanted to let you know that your story really touched me. It made me think about my own life and how I interact with just people in general. I’ve always been a conscientious person and love being a genuine friend to people, and hearing your story made me want to be even more so a genuine friend. I’m not sure if this is even making sense, but I just wanted to reach out to you and say thank you for sharing your story. It’s been a pleasure reading your blog.

Have a great day!
C

Ps – I also have a blog and its http://streetsandstripes.blogspot.com/

I am glad you are inspired by my story and the idea that it makes you want to be a better and more genuine friend is truly inspiring! There are many people who have discovered their inspiration when watching me on TV. Be well and have a Happy New Year!!

OUT, J