I often get criticized for using an image that can be linked to autism speaks - not by a lot of people, but by most other people with autism that I know. Today, in my first post at the Autisable website...I want to make it clear why I use the autism awareness ribbon.
Firstly, as I do want to raise awareness of autism, I thought it would be fitting to use a ribbon to do just that. It wasn't until people started mentioning the somewhat controversial (to them) choice of display this picture/avatar, that I started thinking about what the image actually represents.
So here is the reason I am continuing to use the Autism Awareness Ribbon now: to me it represents how I feel about myself. I find myself puzzling and confusing. I often have no idea of who I am or what I am doing...so it just feels right. Also, the colours used represent the creativity people with Asperger Syndrome and other Autistic Spectrum Disorders sometimes have, and also the logical thinking that goes with putting a puzzle together.
As this is my first post on my Autisable blog, I feel I should mention a little about myself. My name is Michael. I am 15 years old but only got diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome last June (2009), which obviously meant a lot of my life had already gone wrong. I shall build upon this in future blog posts (there will be a lot regarding education and social skills) to make it clearer what I mean by 'most of my life going wrong'.
I live in England (UK)...which you can probably tell by my spelling (for example, colour instead of color and soon mum instead of mom).
My main interest (call it obsession if you wish to do so) is IT/Computing/Electronics, though my passion for Doctor Who seems to be getting stronger, instead of weaker - which it should do as I get older.
I look forward to getting to know the whole Autisable community. My next post will be: Why my mum is so fantastically brilliant.
Anyone who would criticize for a ribbon design is a truly petty person. I look forward to reading your future posts. Welcome
You use whatever ribbon design you want. Sometimes people just have too much to say about another's life. You rock kiddo!
Hi Michael!
Reading this, I would of sworn my own son wrote this. He is also 15 and was diagnosed with Aspergers in June. Ironic isn't it?! He had been struggling way more than I even knew and feel so bad that it went undiagnosed. But it is a new day and I must remain in the here and now!
I really just wanted to say, I like that ribbon and I'm not sure why anyone would not like it and I for one am glad that you use it! I also think it's great that you are sharing your story.
Take care of you and God bless!
Autism Speaks = single blue puzzle piece. Autism Awareness = Multi-coloured Ribbon
In the end it doesn't matter what you wear as long as the support is what matters. I think the controversy is that Autism Speaks is taking away from the multi-coloured puzzle pieces and have trademarked the blue colour puzzle piece (even going so far as marketing some deal with the K-Mart blue light bulb or something and making all things light up in blue). As far as I'm aware, of all the autism representation groups and awareness programs, Autism Speaks is the stand-alone organization that supports the blue over the multi-coloured, which to me clearly projects it is associated with them alone and not Autism Awareness. (Which again, can be debateable but you're not going to change my mind hehe)
To me, I will wear multi-coloured clothing and 'mis-match' throughout the month of April (for US National Awareness) and October (for Canadian National Awareness -- I'm from Canada) and for the days inbetween my heart and mind are always in support.
In the end though, as far as ribbon debates, you can't argue this about the multi-coloured ribbon:
The Autism Awareness Ribbon
The puzzle pattern of this ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of autism. The different colours and shapes represents the diversity of people and families living with this disorder. The brightness of this ribbon signals hope - hope through research and increasing awareness in people like you.
I think its a great ribbon and perfectly expresses the thoughts you wanted it to.
My youngest son is 16 and identifies with the ribbon for the same reasons you mentioned, plus one more: that just as there are many colors in the puzzle - and yet the pieces fit...so, too, there are many different walks of life in the autistic spectrum - every race, every income, every country, every religion, and every level of ability [from nonverbal to scientist, low-functioning to high-functioning but "quirky"]. Every color fits, and every human fits the puzzle the same way.
Yes, I'm paraphrasing - he takes about fifteen minutes to relate it. Well written post - we're all looking forward to reading more from you.
I have been watching Dr Who since William Hartnell started as the Doctor and I see no likelihood of my enthusiasm diminishing. Back then there was not a emphasis on mewrchandising so I never got into buying lots of stuff. I admit we do have a few things a TARDIS and a sonic screwdriver and I used to have some Daleks but that's it. My granddaughter loves Dr Who (I don't know how she'll handle her first regeneration). Dr Who will remain cool - enjoy it forever!
I often get criticized for using an image that can be linked to autism speaks - not by a lot of people, but by most other people with autism that I know. Today, in my first post at the Autisable website...I want to make it clear why I use the autism awareness ribbon.
Michael 
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Comments (7)
Anyone who would criticize for a ribbon design is a truly petty person.
I look forward to reading your future posts. Welcome
You use whatever ribbon design you want. Sometimes people just have too much to say about another's life. You rock kiddo!
Hi Michael!
Reading this, I would of sworn my own son wrote this. He is also 15 and was diagnosed with Aspergers in June. Ironic isn't it?! He had been struggling way more than I even knew and feel so bad that it went undiagnosed. But it is a new day and I must remain in the here and now!
I really just wanted to say, I like that ribbon and I'm not sure why anyone would not like it and I for one am glad that you use it! I also think it's great that you are sharing your story.
Take care of you and God bless!
Autism Speaks = single blue puzzle piece. Autism Awareness = Multi-coloured Ribbon
In the end it doesn't matter what you wear as long as the support is what matters. I think the controversy is that Autism Speaks is taking away from the multi-coloured puzzle pieces and have trademarked the blue colour puzzle piece (even going so far as marketing some deal with the K-Mart blue light bulb or something and making all things light up in blue). As far as I'm aware, of all the autism representation groups and awareness programs, Autism Speaks is the stand-alone organization that supports the blue over the multi-coloured, which to me clearly projects it is associated with them alone and not Autism Awareness. (Which again, can be debateable but you're not going to change my mind hehe)
To me, I will wear multi-coloured clothing and 'mis-match' throughout the month of April (for US National Awareness) and October (for Canadian National Awareness -- I'm from Canada) and for the days inbetween my heart and mind are always in support.
In the end though, as far as ribbon debates, you can't argue this about the multi-coloured ribbon:
The Autism Awareness Ribbon
The puzzle pattern of this ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of autism. The different colours and shapes represents the diversity of people and families living with this disorder. The brightness of this ribbon signals hope - hope through research and increasing awareness in people like you.
I think its a great ribbon and perfectly expresses the thoughts you wanted it to.
My youngest son is 16 and identifies with the ribbon for the same reasons you mentioned, plus one more: that just as there are many colors in the puzzle - and yet the pieces fit...so, too, there are many different walks of life in the autistic spectrum - every race, every income, every country, every religion, and every level of ability [from nonverbal to scientist, low-functioning to high-functioning but "quirky"]. Every color fits, and every human fits the puzzle the same way.
Yes, I'm paraphrasing - he takes about fifteen minutes to relate it. Well written post - we're all looking forward to reading more from you.
I have been watching Dr Who since William Hartnell started as the Doctor and I see no likelihood of my enthusiasm diminishing. Back then there was not a emphasis on mewrchandising so I never got into buying lots of stuff. I admit we do have a few things a TARDIS and a sonic screwdriver and I used to have some Daleks but that's it. My granddaughter loves Dr Who (I don't know how she'll handle her first regeneration). Dr Who will remain cool - enjoy it forever!