A couple of weeks ago, someone somewhere googled, “I Wish I Didn’t Have Aspergers.”  The phrase popped up in a blogging dashboard and struck the blogger as being particularly sad. She wished she could have answered that someone, and that sparked an idea, which kindled a dialogue, and led to this action by an awesome group of bloggers, whom I am proud to call my friends.

We don’t know who it was…

We don’t know where (s)he lives…

We have no idea if  (s)he found what (s)he was looking for in that search…

We do know that search directed that person to a blog.  We do know the searcher clicked on it in an attempt to find what they needed.  And we do know enough about the challenges of autism to know that person is likely not alone in that sentiment.

So, we got to thinking.  What would we say to that person?  What if it was a kid, desperately trying to make it through tough years of intolerance and ignorance?  What if it were a person who might never stumble across the amazing voices speaking for autism acceptance?  What if that person thought himself all alone?  What would we say about the present?  What would we say about the future?  What would we say about happiness?  And hope?

Each of us in the autism community – self-advocates, parent advocates, friends and family, teachers, health professionals – we would all have different messages for IWishIDidn’t HaveAspergers.  But likely a common thread would be that we would all try to send the message that there is a brighter future and that friendship and support are out there.

We are asking every blogger in the autism community to write a message of positivity to IWishIDidn’tHaveAspergers.  So that next time that individual (or another) types that sad statement into Google, he or she will find what they need – support, wisdom, and messages of hope from those who understand.

And – for those of you who do not blog but wish to join in – please post your positivity message to http://autismpositivity.wordpress.com

Please join with us on the last day of Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month – April 30^th – in a Flash Blog of Autism Positivity.

To participate:

1. Publish your post on April 30^th in the following title format:  “ [Your Blog] to ‘I Wish I Didn’t Have Aspergers’: #AutismPositivity2012″

2. Share your post on Twitter and Facebook, using that hashtag (#AutismPositivity2012)
   

3. Add your link to the Autism Positivity website and grab the badge.
   

4. Share/reblog this message to your blog, page, etc.

This Autism Positivity Flash Blog Event is the brainchild of Thinking About Perspectives, a group of bloggers committed to increasing autism awareness and acceptance via open and respectful dialogue.  We are:  30 Days of Autism, Outrunning the Storm, The Third Glance, Aspie Kid, Flappiness Is, Quirky and Laughing, Life on the Spectrum, Fairy Tale Forgotten, The Aspie Side of Life, and Inner Aspie.

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30 Days of Autism is a project designed to fight stigma, promote civil rights, and increase understanding and acceptance for those who process and experience the world differently.

© Leah Kelley, Thirty Days of Autism, (2012)