08-25-2007, 05:23 PM
I'd like to tell a story of mine that I experienced:
Being an aspie, I had a study hall just for kids with IEPs (individual education plans). In this study hall was a kid named Jose. Just by looking at him, I could tell he was further down the spectrum than I, and at first I wanted nothing to do with him.
But one day several of us were trying a 3D puzzle, and Jose came to join. At that point, we had all lightened up to him, and he became one of my friends. Later on, I found, I was one of his only friends. Other people I knew called him a retard and I knew he was oblivious to it.
Then came one day when a friend of mine, Kyle, started ranting about Jose. Knowing he couldn't stand up for himself, I said that Jose was one of the nicest guys I knew. Kyle apoligized, and he and I were silent to each other for the next couple of days. But I knew that I would defend Jose, no matter what.
MORAL:If you see an autistic person being bullied, defend them. People will eventually realize that they need to respect people on the spectrum. This is how our fight starts.[/font]
Being an aspie, I had a study hall just for kids with IEPs (individual education plans). In this study hall was a kid named Jose. Just by looking at him, I could tell he was further down the spectrum than I, and at first I wanted nothing to do with him.
But one day several of us were trying a 3D puzzle, and Jose came to join. At that point, we had all lightened up to him, and he became one of my friends. Later on, I found, I was one of his only friends. Other people I knew called him a retard and I knew he was oblivious to it.
Then came one day when a friend of mine, Kyle, started ranting about Jose. Knowing he couldn't stand up for himself, I said that Jose was one of the nicest guys I knew. Kyle apoligized, and he and I were silent to each other for the next couple of days. But I knew that I would defend Jose, no matter what.
MORAL:If you see an autistic person being bullied, defend them. People will eventually realize that they need to respect people on the spectrum. This is how our fight starts.[/font]