I woefully realized
this week that it's been far too long since I've posted. I've come
out of hibernation for what I feel is a very important book review.
I am a voracious
reader of fiction. Always have been. Reading is my special
interest, it is my escape from this overwhelming world we find
ourselves in.
I was really excited
to read this because some of the contributors and the book's editor
are my wonderful co-contributors at Respectfully Connected. Though
physically separated by different time zones and even an ocean, these
people have had a profound impact on my parenting and on my own
journey of self awareness and formal diagnosis. I was deeply touched
to re-read Ally's essay "Letter to an Autism Mama" from her
blog Suburban Autistics and absolutely enthralled to read Briannon
Lee's newest piece "Finding Querencia". Morénike Giwa
Onaiwu's piece on social media was one that I could really relate to.
I've long admired
and respected Ally's writing and it was through her wonderful blog
that I had the privilege to meet all the wonderful people who write
for Respectfully Connected. Ally's essay is full of gentle,
unconditional acceptance and should be given to every parent of a
newly diagnosed child. She speaks so kindly; she gives parents
permission to let go, to love their Autistic child wholly and
unconditionally, despite what all the "experts" might be
saying. She offers her first hand experience as an Autistic adult,
that everything will work out in the long run.
I'm finding it
difficult to acquire words to sufficiently describe Bri's essay.
It's brilliant. It's raw. It's vulnerable, open and honest. I
suspect it will speak to anyone who has spent their life feeling like
an outsider looking in.
Morénike's piece
about social media is wonderful. There is so much doom and gloom
these days associated with social media and how it will be the
downfall of the current generation. Morénike, as well as myself and
I daresay many Autistics, beg to differ. Many of us communicate
easier through the written word, myself included. 100% of my
Autistic support is online. I have been unable to find anyone local
or any local events that can meet my needs. I know I need to keep
looking but I take great solace in reading Morénike's essay and
knowing I am not alone.
As I was reading
Nick Walker's "This is Autism", I was nearly moved to
tears. To be able to read someone else's thoughts and ideas and to
have the exact same thoughts and ideas myself was absolutely
indescribable. To see these things that I have spent my entire
lifetime feeling shame for, for these feelings of wrongness, to see
these in print from another person like me, is absolutely sublime.
I've touched on only
a quarter of the outstanding essays compiled in this book. They all
affected me in one way or another. I could find pieces of myself in
nearly all of them.
Unless you are one
of us, unless you are different, or a deviation from the norm of
society, I don't think that you can fully appreciate just how
important this book is. This should be required reading for
everyone.
You can purchase
your own copy here; an e-book version is available immediately and I
believe the paperback will ship out in a few weeks.
