11-23-2007, 07:51 PM
11-24-2007, 01:30 AM
I just went to one of the websites where people are posting comments about the contestants. Wow. Look on the bright side. If a lot of people watch this series, then more people will be familiar with AS. And there'll be fewer "Aspergers? What's that?"
I hope she wins. Zakkie--thanks for posting the links. Will watch later maybe, or at least one of them.
I hope she wins. Zakkie--thanks for posting the links. Will watch later maybe, or at least one of them.
11-24-2007, 01:59 AM
Okay, I just watched the China one--wow.
11-24-2007, 02:27 AM
Okay, just watched a few more. Anyone who'd participate in a show like this deserves my admiration. It takes incredible courage. (Or it sure would for me!)
11-24-2007, 04:28 PM
Last night I posted on livejournal my adventure in finding out what this thread was about--someone commented that Heather seemed like about the most normal person in the bunch. She asked if this is what aspies are like. I just commented back that aspies are each themselves--it's not obvious that there's a common gestalt, but that someone who knows what to look for can often pick them out. Heather has likely done tons of work on herself.
11-24-2007, 06:41 PM
SheWhoCan'tThinkOfAUsername Wrote:
Hmmm... does Heather ever refer to herself as "nerdy" in this show, or is that someone else...?
I remember a girl telling me I looked like "that one nerd on America's Next Top Model, not that you're a nerd, I just mean you look like her, which is a compliment." (She then spent about half an hour trying to explain that... I think she misinterpreted the blank stare I gave her that meant, "Who the heck is that?")
I can't stand reality TV, but for those of you who are watching it, do you know if Heather was the one the girl was talking about?
I remember a girl telling me I looked like "that one nerd on America's Next Top Model, not that you're a nerd, I just mean you look like her, which is a compliment." (She then spent about half an hour trying to explain that... I think she misinterpreted the blank stare I gave her that meant, "Who the heck is that?")
I can't stand reality TV, but for those of you who are watching it, do you know if Heather was the one the girl was talking about?
Earlier this morning I watched some of the beginning episodes. My curiosity's been aroused. In one of them, Heather did say she was a nerd. So yeah, to answer your question.
11-25-2007, 09:08 AM
Batman55 Wrote:
energeia Wrote:
Last night I posted on livejournal my adventure in finding out what this thread was about--someone commented that Heather seemed like about the most normal person in the bunch. She asked if this is what aspies are like. I just commented back that aspies are each themselves--it's not obvious that there's a common gestalt, but that someone who knows what to look for can often pick them out. Heather has likely done tons of work on herself.
I always thought doing lots of work on yourself can help to erase obvious signs of Asperger's, and I recommend that all who are reading along should do this.
The more work you do on yourself, the less your Asperger's shows. All the better!
So you're saying people should work more to show theire Asperger's less. So they can seem like they were "cured"?
11-26-2007, 11:23 AM
Batman55 Wrote:
violet_yoshi Wrote:
So you're saying people should work more to show theire Asperger's less. So they can seem like they were "cured"?
I will admit that there was a "dash" of sarcasm in the post in question, and I tend to believe that omitting a disclaimer at the end (like "sarcasm above") makes for a more effective statement, overall.
It can be confusing though, which is a problem.
I don't know if this bulletin board system allows you to make custom smilies. Someone who is decent at graphics, a.k.a not me, maybe could make a smiley holding a sign saying "Sarcasm" or something.
12-06-2007, 04:16 PM
jewelie Wrote:
dinosaur heretic Wrote:
. . .
I never knew how to handle the attention I got from males (which led to some horrible events) nor the jealousy I got from females. One young woman once told me she "would kill to have a body like mine." The whole thing was horrifying to me.
I now intentionally dress "like a bag lady" (my husband's description), never wear makeup, don't do much about combing my hair. I try my best not to look attractive, because I hate the attention and jealousy. This is something I don't think an NT could understand.
I never knew how to handle the attention I got from males (which led to some horrible events) nor the jealousy I got from females. One young woman once told me she "would kill to have a body like mine." The whole thing was horrifying to me.
I now intentionally dress "like a bag lady" (my husband's description), never wear makeup, don't do much about combing my hair. I try my best not to look attractive, because I hate the attention and jealousy. This is something I don't think an NT could understand.
Does this work? This is my plan, to wear loose fitting and unattractive clothes. But what about your face? Do you wear a hat/veil/big glasses? What?? I even thought about making my own fatsuit to wear out in public (like they have in Hollywood when thin actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow portray fat women). I feel a real fear of attention, so much that I allowed myself to be overweight for my entire adult life. But at least there were no more horrible events that way! Thanks for your post.
Aww poor little pretty. She should try being fat for a day, see how much unwanted attention she gets over that.
12-06-2007, 08:58 PM
I thought dinosaur was quoting something Heather Kuzmich said. You can see how confusing that is in a forum, about her, and posting about your own issues. I'm sorry for getting confused, but perhaps people should clarify if they are off-topic.
12-07-2007, 10:49 AM
Batman55 Wrote:
couldbecousin Wrote:
Unwanted attention is unwanted attention, whatever the reason. Why attack dinosaur heretic? She is not the enemy.
CBC, do you think more Aspies should take Heather's example and test their limits to the max?
I know I would suffer from a longterm mental breakdown if I had to do everything "expected" of Today's Man. Does it make me weak and pathetic to declare where my limits are--and say I should not do X, cannot do Y, and so on--rather than "push myself all the way out," the way Heather has done?
Maybe the reason Heather is able to "push herself all the way out" is that she's not Aspie. It seems she's using claiming to have Asperger's Syndrome to play on the victim nature of it.
Come on, do you know anyone with Asperger's Syndrome who would subject themselves to a show like Top Model? Has it occured to anyone she might be just trying to get an edge on the other models, by targeting a disenfranchised group of people who are desperate to see they're approved of?
It's easy to mimick a lack of eye contact and not understanding things, if you're an actor/actress. It's also easy to cry on the phone, claiming to be upset when it's obvious one subjected themselves willingly to the nature that they are upset over.
She didn't have to go on Top Model, I would've had more respect frankly if she didn't. At least then I can say, ok she's acting like a real Aspie. She's just using the nature of Asperger's Syndrome, to build herself up as a victim on the show. If it wasn't Asperger's Syndrome, it would be something else.
12-08-2007, 01:39 PM
Fruitcake Wrote:
Maybe the reason Heather is able to "push herself all the way out" is that she's not Aspie. It seems she's using claiming to have Asperger's Syndrome to play on the victim nature of it.
Come on, do you know anyone with Asperger's Syndrome who would subject themselves to a show like Top Model? Has it occured to anyone she might be just trying to get an edge on the other models, by targeting a disenfranchised group of people who are desperate to see they're approved of?
It's easy to mimick a lack of eye contact and not understanding things, if you're an actor/actress. It's also easy to cry on the phone, claiming to be upset when it's obvious one subjected themselves willingly to the nature that they are upset over.
She didn't have to go on Top Model, I would've had more respect frankly if she didn't. At least then I can say, ok she's acting like a real Aspie. She's just using the nature of Asperger's Syndrome, to build herself up as a victim on the show. If it wasn't Asperger's Syndrome, it would be something else.
Come on, do you know anyone with Asperger's Syndrome who would subject themselves to a show like Top Model? Has it occured to anyone she might be just trying to get an edge on the other models, by targeting a disenfranchised group of people who are desperate to see they're approved of?
It's easy to mimick a lack of eye contact and not understanding things, if you're an actor/actress. It's also easy to cry on the phone, claiming to be upset when it's obvious one subjected themselves willingly to the nature that they are upset over.
She didn't have to go on Top Model, I would've had more respect frankly if she didn't. At least then I can say, ok she's acting like a real Aspie. She's just using the nature of Asperger's Syndrome, to build herself up as a victim on the show. If it wasn't Asperger's Syndrome, it would be something else.
I do not think it would be that easy to act asperger's and certainly not for the length of time that Heather was in there, what do you have a problem with aspie women? I see hear a brilliant role model for women like myself and you dis it? Do we not want NT to have more of a realistic idea of what ASD's are especially high Functioning to get away from the stereotypes, I know for myself when I found out I was different because I have HFA I found it hard to find many female perceptives of HFA/Asperger's. I really think you should think before you post your comments have upset me and I am sure that if Heather read them what would she think from such a discussion within the autistic community.
[/quote]
I am a Aspie woman. I also don't think being a model is what I would call a brilliant role model. If she appears on here, or any other forum, she shouldn't be so surprised that she might have to explain herself.
She is choosing to behave in a way that is considered not typical for people who have Asperger's Syndrome. If she's strong enough to do that, then she's strong enough to get a re-diagnoses before talking about flights of fancy, like being a representative for people with Asperger's Syndrome.
12-08-2007, 08:09 PM
silky Wrote:
I didn't like how she kept talking about her "disability".
Exactly, why even bring it up unless someone noticed. Unless, she was trying to play the sympathy card?
12-09-2007, 12:11 PM
Look, this all wouldn't be an issue if Heather didn't say she wanted to be a spokesperson for people with Asperger's Syndrome. She does not represent all of us. It'd be nice if we had someone representing us, that didn't appear to be trying so hard to be NT.
12-09-2007, 11:53 PM
Ok you know, I think you've got me. I give up. I mean, you're right. I dunno, I really don't like how people here seem to ignore the reality involved with being mainstream good looking, and that if we lived in a proper world everyone would be seen as beautiful. What was on the inside really would matter. Also that, your body is at a set weight, if you try to force it against that weight it will only rebel in the end and make you more fat than you did to begin with. It is ignorant to claim that becoming thin is just a matter of self-starv...I mean dieting.
I am interested in what games Heather would be designing though. Maybe since she's been involved with modeling, she might want to do some work on the Bratz games.
I am interested in what games Heather would be designing though. Maybe since she's been involved with modeling, she might want to do some work on the Bratz games.