Susan Senator

Of course you other sons will support Nat when they're older. They sound like great kids. They'll do it out of love and responsibility... You'll see.

1) What's on your mind - you know what's on my mind.
2) When will H n H write me again - If they had more letters in their name perhaps.
3) Is SA from B someone I know - Probably.
4) Do I wear people out? Only in a good way.
5) Will Natty be independent someday? Ask again later.
6) Will Nat's brothers give a shit about him someday? I think so. They'll grow into him.
7) Should I be forcing Max to do a sport or something extracurricular after school? Is he a hermit? If not, no.
8) Why do I need so much attention? You crave the intensity!
9) Why can't I decide one thing and stick to it? See #8
10) How will I get the courage to bare my stomach when I dance in class with a bunch of young girls? Bounce a quarter off it. Say "three kids bitches" and walk away.
11) How can I have more fun? See #10.

hey! im the 13 yr old peer model who wrote you back in march..you met my grandpa at a signing..well..ive been reading your blog ever since..I love it!!

heres my responses:

1. What to post right now..
2. Sure..why not?
3. Maybe..you never know..
4. Not me..I love reading your blog and about your life!
5. You never know! :)
6. Of course they will..I'm sure they do now! They're his brothers! Ben is still young..and Max..well, I'm sure Max cares..but I can't speak for him..does Max have a blog? Maybe he should post here..or ask him how he feels about Nat..does he know a lot about Autism? Ever hang out with Nat?
7. Doesn't Max have a girlfriend and lots of friends? He makes movies, doesn't he? Sounds like he's got a lot going on..so don't force him..I think he's fine..I wouldnt wanna be forced..
8. Who doesn't?
9. Who can?
10. Just do it! You're tougher than any of them..c'mon!
11. Do whatever you enjoy most! Maybe write another book! :)

cant wait for your next post!

Okay....

1) What's on your mind

My move; a talk I'm doing in eight days, outlining some of the practitioner-research that I've been doing over the past five years that has implications for most of the ideas that Finnish authorities have about how autistic people should be served; my dad and whether he'll actually be in a position to get a copy of my MEd certificate after 14.12.2006; getting a job in a totally xenophobic country like Finland and whether I'd not be better served by learning Estonian and offering my expertise over there by arranging three-day-clinics for educational issues in autism.

2) When will H n H write me again

Dunno... ask them...

3) Is SA from B someone I know

Dunno...

4) Do I wear people out?

Have you encountered JBJr lately? That's someone who wears people out. You've a very long way to go before you get there.

5) Will Natty be independent someday?

No. Nobody's ever truly independent... the optimal hope is interdependent, which is how human beings work anyway :)

6) Will Nat's brothers give a shit about him someday?

That would depend on what they know about him and how they understand him (in terms of who he is as a person, and so on)... and how they are guided in how to get to know him.

7) Should I be forcing Max to do a sport or something extracurricular after school?

No. Forcing people is always counter-productive. Encouraging and offering opportunities is good, but has to be guided by whether or not the person being encouraged actually wants to take advantage of such opportunities.

8) Why do I need so much attention?

Maybe you feel insecure now - maybe as a result of possible changes in situations/circumstances, or relationships or other things (including changes in your understanding of who you are yourself...).

9) Why can't I decide one thing and stick to it?

Because people don't actually do that naturally. Circumstances may force that, and career development theory is now changing to accommodate the fact that people are now more likely to have careers that involve changes in the actual work one does. This theory applies as much to overall life careers as much as it does to occupational careers.

10) How will I get the courage to bare my stomach when I dance in class with a bunch of young girls?

Dunno... since when has being young been a prerequisite for having a sexy tummy? I'd say you might wanna avoid baring your stomach, though... the blood from the self-evisceration kinda makes the floor slippy and dangerous to dance on ;) Go with baring your tummy, and you'll do fine :)

11) How can I have more fun?

Let yourself have it.

Man, I love my readers! Thank you Guy, you have such a level head.

Leila - Darling, how you ease my worried mind!

David - you're going to learn Estonian?? You are very cool.

Hey, Peer Model! I remember you! It is so good to hear from you. I can't believe how wise you are at thirteen. Stay in touch, okay?

1. Is my cat really sick, or just mad at me?

2. No idea.

3. WTF?

4. How would *I* know?

5. Yeah, I betcha.

6. I certainly hope so, and you slap 'em good if they don't, hear?

7. Hell, no!

8. Yer a girl?

9. You're a bit scatter-brained. It's OK.

10.Drink something with alcohol in it.

11.Beats me. Let me know when you find out.

About all I can say anything about is 1), and in a nutshell, it's "disability rights". There are lots more specifics to it, though, including the inappropriate treatment of a blind friend at an event by people who insisted on "helping" and then later were either bitching or patting themselves on the back; a video Amanda had in a post last month; and wondering what's going to be needed in the way of advocacy for my kids and myself going to Thanksgiving dinner at someone else's house, and wondering if I'm going to burn entirely too many ears if someone brings up the wrong topic with praise. :P

Dear Susan,

Regarding Thought Number Two:

Today.

Go back to the original thread I first posted on ...

H 'n' H in LA

Okay, H n H in L.A. - I am totally intrigued. Email me and keep it anonymous if you wish. Or let me know who you are...I won't tell.