Musings and What-not

Yes, the title of this post was inspired by a snazzy Bonnie Raitt tune, but this post isn't about her. Nope!  It's about Hollywood's latest film... that thinks it's OKAY to joke about Autism !! Take a gander at this clip from 21 Jump Street ... 21st Century silver screen version, and you'll see what I mean.

As I read story after story of people performing and supporting genetic testing to eradicate autism... prenatal style, I can't help but feel sick to my stomach. This continued intolerance of a community that only wants to love, be loved and accepted, seems to be at the forefront of possible extinction . Why the fear ? I'd like to think that being in the midst of centuries old civil unrest and living in communities where mass genocide at the hands of those who have overstepped their boundaries and have become power hungry to be a significantly worse "fate".

Well, it is obvious that I have been hiding under a rock for several months because I can't believe I've missed a lot of what's been slinging around the autism community lately. There's been much talk about Dr. Wakefield , and now some Danish doctor, Poul Thorsen , is under seige. The wars never cease! While so not minding my own business , I was browsing through the autism news headlines on the blog, Left Brain Right Brain . This blog hosts some interesting stuff that often makes me go, "hmmmmmmm".

As children, the strength of our voices is determined by our parents. If you were raised in a household where children were supposed to be seen and not heard , then speaking out and standing up for your needs would have been a difficult task that would inevitably worsen the older you got. This was my upbringing. Too often, I was told that I wasn't to air our dirty laundry in public or discuss family business with strangers . I was also told to just be quiet, particularly, during those times when my parents were tired and didn't want to be bothered.

Disclaimer: The quotes within this post are not for the sensitive. Another week has passed, and most of it seems like a blur to me now.   I've been so busy with my virtual book tour that it almost feels like I've been online, all day, every day of this week. Regardless, I still have blogging to do that doesn't have a thing to do with my tour. So, let's get on with it... shall we? This week's Freaky Friday post goes to a young woman named Tanja (Koch) Fleischer who, much to my chagrin, waged a flaming war against autism last summer.