Monday, 23 May 2011

• A Letter from the Editor

  
  

   

  I’d like to first say Thank You for taking a few moments to read this post, and more importantly, the various posts by people that we highlight on Autisable.  I also want to thank the Xanga Team for their unwavering support of this project.

  It was mentioned in a conversation one day that I have a zeal for what I do because of my son.  That is only partially true. 

  My son sparked something inside of me that is a driving force to get across something that is rather unexplainable. 

  How can one explain a disorder when one doesn’t even know the cause, but rather the various effects? 

  The Autisable Team has read thousands of posts, and highlighted yet a fraction of what is out there….the stories from the families that are directly affected by Autism.

  These stories are a mirror, if you will, of what people deal with on a regular basis.  The stories of challenges and hardships and also the hopeful moments of progress.

  I’ve found that people with Autism are more normal than we give them credit for – they just have an extra portion of challenges to overcome in order to share what they are going through. 

  Our challenge – as a society – is to provide a means by which they can communicate effectively, so we can understand their joys and pains.

  My son, as an example, acts like any kid his own age, but he does things differently.

  But we must remember that he does understand more than we think.

  Like many who are on the spectrum; my son hears, he listens, and he knows soo much.  His biggest challenge is learning to communicate.

  Where I can write a 1000 words off the top of my head in a matter of minutes and hours, and I can do public speaking with some extra effort – my son, with his own set of challenges, still provides those moments of joy…even without words.

  He’s very much present – fighting to express himself …fighting to be heard.  He wants and has showed me at times that he does understand.

  What is said in silence shall be shouted from the housetops.  My son, amongst many who are challenged at communicating – are crying out now to be able to speak – to have their words heard. 

  The hope of this project called Autisable, is that everyone is given a platform to share their journey – to allow for their voice to be shouted from the housetops.

  People need to know that we are able to address the issues of Autism.

  Able to help one another know we are not alone in this journey

  Able to share with others what life is like with Autism.

  We are able – not disabled.  We are able – not a label.

  We are able to speak with one voice, in Unity

  Autism may be a diagnosis, but we are able to confront it – tackle it – and share our journey.

  We welcome all the new members of Autisable, guided here by our friends at the Autism Society.

  From the parents, to families, and especially those who are on the Spectrum – we know, and understand the extra portion of challenges we’ve all been blessed with.  With all our differences of opinion, we still encourage one another to discuss the issues so that others may understand the complexities of Autism, and therefore find the common thread that binds us together.

  We welcome all to also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and thank you again for taking a few moments to read, share, and connect.

   

  Sincerely,

   

  Joel Manzer

  Lead Editor, Autisable.com

   

   

   

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