Temple Grandin and my Autism life
Mathew Townsend
Social Enterprise Champion | 2023 Qld 40 under 40 | Social Entrepreneur | Disability Inclusion | Adventurer | Public Speaker
Temple Grandin is my admirer. She grew up living with Autism just like me with several challenges such as social environment, bullies, sensory overload and prejudice. I read the book and a true-story movie about her. It made me cry because everything is so true about my personal experiences. I never felt so emotional in my life because I never knew I faced so many challenges and cruelty from people during school and recently.
Yes I have Autism, but that doesn't mean I am stupid, naive or ignorant as you think or prejudice against me. I am very intelligent, talented and passionate person. Autism made me to be empathy with life because of new information processing in my brain helps me to remember.
Temple's life totally reminds me of all aspects and angles of my personal experiences. I may not write or speak clearly nor socialise well. In early psychologist days I was TOLD that I will NEVER get a:
1. job
2. girlfriend
3. friends
4. money
It upsets me when I am being judged by the way I act or behave. There are so many potential and benefits of having Autism in the world because of our intelligence. Albert Einstein for instance, he created popularity of science. Imagine he wasn't listened science would not able to be exist today because of his empowerment and brilliance.
Personally it is so difficult to express myself, even to the community members, my friends and the strangers to have my attention. I have lost so many opportunities that would have gave me because of prejudice. This is a root cause of mental breakdown. I tend to get lost in my life when people ignore and avoid me.
Please don't give up on me because I have Autism.