The phrase that’s often coined to describe Autism and other disabilities is “hidden” or “invisible”. This is basically due to the fact that the sense most of us use first, cannot detect it and that’s our sight.
I can speak from experience in this case, having arthritis I can be slow and my movements not so fluid. I don’t always need an aid to walk but there is a difference in people’s reaction to me when I do. If I’m out shopping and feeling sore and stiff which is always the case I shuffle more than walk, people get impatient and rush past me or sometimes tut.
If I have my crutch with me it’s totally different some people will wait or let me go first, some people still rush past, but lose the tut. They can see I need help to walk so aren’t as, lets say horrible about it.
The only time Amber has an aid if you like is when she’s in her adapted trolley. Some people will sideways look seemingly checking her over to see what’s wrong with her, others have a right good stare which makes me smile somewhat cos you can see them wondering why.
The difference between myself and Amber is people wont immediately come to the conclusion that she has the disability shes got some still walk off puzzled. This for me is what drives me in the belief there needs to be a big push in awareness for her condition.
I don’t care what people think, but I think future. I don’t want the attitude to be “oh isn’t she strange I wonder what’s wrong with her” I want people to think “it could be that she’s autistic… OK” After all there is nothing WRONG with her, she’s not sick or made badly in the way that I am, just living with a developmental disorder.
