It’s been medically proven that vaccines don’t cause anything. And, to be honest, it kinda hurts for a lot of people out there on the autism spectrum hearing that people would rather see deadly diseases come back than have people like us. And I always have to wonder when people say someone has the ‘mentality of a two year old’ if they understand that often there’s a lot more going on than you think. Watch this, “Non-verbal girl with autism speaks through computer”:
Now, I kinda hate how surprised so many people are by this. There are actually a few non verbal people on here who have ‘severe’ conditions that will never allow them to live on there own, function without help 24/7, ect. But they also advocate against the anti-vaccine movement. Well, I can’t speak for all, but I know a whole lot of them do. It’s not just us that are “functioning”. It hurts because it’s that kind of thinking that makes people think death is better than what they are. When I talk to them, I realize they’re individuals like you and me. I’ve heard them vent about frustration, but a lot of that frustration seems to come more from how they’re treated than who they are.
There was this sweetest kid at my high school who would be labeled “severe”, but he loved dancing and singing. He liked drawing and jumping and running. He loved girls, too. Thought of himself as a lady’s man. Beauty and the Beast was his favorite movie, and he always wore a cape and swirled it around like beast did in a few scenes. We called him Seth the Beast.
Another girl loved…Justin Beaver. But I won’t judge. She also adored singing and dancing. Hannah was friendly. Hannah was energetic. Hannah was stubborn as a kid told they had to eat brussel sprouts before desert.
Both of these people never got past the basics.
Another kid had what Steven Hawkins has. He was average intelligence, though they still didn’t think he’d go to college. His twin sister, not identical, helped him a lot. He was our band mascot. His wheelchair was rigged with lights and he was down on the field doing the show with them every single game night. For graduation, the one thing he wanted was to walk across stage. Through physical therapy and two people helping, he did it, and it as the most amazing moment. Our entire graduating class leapt off our seats and cheered, along with everyone in the stands. Our school is upward of 2,500, and everyone knew Michael. They weren’t all there, but our graduating class (school9th grade to 12th) was big enough that with all the families there the cheers were deafening. Now he’s at the community college I go to. He’s an amazing individual, and everyone who knows him is lucky as hell.
There’s a girl across the street from me on the spectrum. Not as “severe” as Hannah or Seth, but at fourteen she’s still the same as she was at eight. Abby is friends with every kid on the block. Abby waves and smiles the biggest smile whenever you walk by.
Another dude, named Dustin. More on the “high-functioning” side. He’s a big guy, but has gotten bullied a lot for his stuttering, and his way of wording things. He’s a sweetheart, and a great friend. Loves playing Yu-Gi-Oh. Went to a trade school for graphic design. Likes making bad jokes.
Then there’s me. I’m mostly what many would think of as “normal” from the outside, but I have quite a few problems of my own. Obsessive about pretty much everything. My social skills can get me in trouble. Sensory issues. Have trouble relating to a lot of people. Meltdown when overwhelmed. Childhood was a nightmare in regards to bullies, especially being as naive as I was.
Everyone of us are people. We have likes, dislikes, dreams, hobbies, and want to feel accepted. All these people I know are amazing, and are happy as they are. The only times I’ve seen them angry about their situations would be when they’re treated as lesser.
To say you’d rather have a dead child than one who needs more help, but can be happy when treated with respect and kindness, says a lot about how society views disabilities. You’d rather have a deadly disease like smallpox make a comeback than have a child like Seth or Hannah, who would perfectly fit your definition of adults being stuck as children? That’s what you’d rather have? Vaccines don’t cause this, but even if they did…you’d rather have a kid die than be like me. I’ve heard this from a lot of people, but it still baffles me every time.
