About this blog.

My son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 24 months. I created this blog to bring meaning to the often-confusing label. Sometimes I have answers. Other times, just more questions.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Guest Blog By DH

Readers and lurkers,
Just a quick note to let you know my father has been in the hospital for the last few weeks. He's had a heart attack, a gallbladder removed and a stroke, and is doing as well as can be expected. I'm writing to let you know I'm over capacity in the short-term. So if I haven't stopped by, that's what's up. I'm drained, physically and emotionally. Tapped out.

My husband is picking up the slack this week. Thanks DH.

* * *

I don't often encounter references to the autistic spectrum in what I read on the internet, mainly because I flock to blogs and news sites about things like fantasy hockey, sports memorabilia, and .....cough cough....pro wrestling (yes, I know it's fake).

One of my favorite stops when surfing the web is the twoplustwo forums, which relate to news, strategy, viewpoints and gossip about poker.

Among the threads I recently read was one questioning whether the 2008 World Series of Poker main event champion - a young man named Peter Eastgate - is autistic. It was an odd question, but as people pointed out not an entirely unconscionable one given how quiet, calm and focused Eastgate has come across on TV, particularly as compared to his generally brash and boorish counterparts. Also notable was how much he maintained his composure when he clinched his victory, literally barely reacting after becoming the youngest main event champ ever and winning millions of dollars in the process.

Much to my surprise and enjoyment, the question prompted quite a discussion, one by and among people about autism who didn't specifically come there with an autism agenda. Instead, it was just poker players and fans talking about autism like they would about health care, Hannah Montana, the economy, or porn. Sure, some of the familiar debates emerged, but it was interesting to read such a full range of reactions and viewpoints, complete with doses of hate, ignorance, confusion, compassion, curiosity, and humor.

Am I the only one who finds reading non-agenda-laden debates and discussions like these about autism (or other subjects for that matter) refreshing in a way? To me, in terms of autism, they're a more representative microcosm of what my son may encounter in the real world.

Oh well, enough rambling. Here's a link. Be forewarned - it meanders at times, but it's a fascinating read, particularly at the beginning and towards the end.

5 comments:

Stimey said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your father. You have my best wishes!

A little boy just 3 years old said...

So sorry to hear about your father.

Great post DH!

Kris said...

So sorry to hear of your father's illness. I hope things are going better. Great post. It is scary to read the utter ignorance regarding autism/ASD.

Hua said...

Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear about your father. Best wishes for you and your family during this hard time. I just wanted to let you know that Wellsphere's HealthBlogger Network has many people who are in a similar situation as you are. If you would like to share your experience and help others cope, I would encourage you to take a look at http://www.wellsphere.com/health-blogger, and to consider applying ot join the HealthBlogger Network.

If you need any assistance, please feel free to email me at hua [at] wellsphere [dot] com.

Best regards,
Hua
Director of Blogger Networks

Anonymous said...

I'm way late to this, Laura. Praying for your father. Hope he is doing better.