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A recent letter to the Washington Post criticises the paper for its sympathy toward parents who locked their adult autistic children up in their homes. They call it the "least bad" choice in some instances.
I don't know everything about autism, and I certainly can't judge every situation and know what options are available to every parent. But here's the thing. The letter-writer is calling for compassion for autistic people and noting that abusive practices are abusive practices. Simple as.
Comments range from the likes of "ask Michelle for a hashtag" and "people like that shouldn't be around the normal people" and "there is a limit to what we should put up with."
If someone said this about black people or some other minority group? The Post would have removed those comments immediately and banned the poster. How interesting that the comments not only stay, but they seem to represent the prevailing sentiment.
Well, I as you know, I have a wanderer. He is not locked up, but I do have an wandering emergency plan that includes a battery operated door alarm for night time. We have worked hard to juggle schedules and our kids have put in time as playmates/a second pair of eyes when parents are mowing lawn, picking beans, etc. Now, I have always told them they can mow or pick beans or play with... they always choose play with. I will tell you, we have only had our wanderer for about 6 weeks and we are all tired! He is going to live with grandma and grandpa soon... I don't know what his long term plan will be.
ReplyDeleteSaying, "I really struggle with this and need some humane options" is way different than the "we shouldn't have to live with those people" kinds of comments.
DeleteI appreciate what it's like to struggle. Not as badly... but a bit. I understand why parents who ordinarily are very against government intrusion and tracking devices suddenly opt for both. You don't know what you will do until you are faced with the situation.
I'm not saying it isn't abusive to lock a kid or adult away... but the lack of compassion for the parents AND the autistic person is staggering.
Rather typical, they can allow such comments because it has produced lots of interest, but they don't with racism because that is considered NOT ON. Two faced prats.
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