Category Archives: ASAN

Counting… The Day of Mourning and the Disability Clothesline

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

By Emma Van der Klift On March 1st of every year for the last three, a small group of activists – mostly activists with disabilities – have gathered together at Woodland’s Memorial Gardens in New Westminster, BC. The Gardens are … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, ASAN, Disability Day of Mourning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Proud to be Myself: An Autistic Person on Garry’s Mod

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I got home late from work today, lugging my books and bags and laptop and some likely-less-that-healthy Chinese food for H and me to have for an easy dinner, as Craig had a gig. H greeted me at the door … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, advocate, ASAN, Autism, Autistic, Disability, neurodivergent, TASH | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Disability Day of Mourning: The Loss of Innocence

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

A few weeks back I asked H if he would like to attend the ASAN Vancouver Disability Day of Mourning Vigil with me on March 1st, at the Woodlands Memorial Gardens in New Westminster, BC. He asked what the vigil … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, Advocacy, ASAN, autism stigma, Autistic, Boycott Autism Speaks, Death, Disability, Grief, prejudice, Rail Against Stigma | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

“Stop…” A Poem: Disability Day of Mourning 2016

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

                Today I share this poem, originally published in June 2013, to witness and remember the lives of Disabled people killed by their parents and caregivers…  Stop..   Stop   These words of … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, ASAN, Boycott Autism Speaks, Death, Disability Day of Mourning, family, Rail Against Stigma | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“No More”: ASAN Vancouver Disability Day of Mourning

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

The following is a guest post, composed of the speech written by Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift, and spoken by Norman Kunc,  for the ASAN 2015 Disability Day of Mourning. The vigil was held in the Woodlands Memorial … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, ASAN, Autism, Death, Norman Kunc | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Talking with crows: A Sensory Break

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Since H was very young I have made a bit of a habit of handing him my camera on long drives, or when he needs a break or is feeling overwhelmed… or when he points out something of interest. This … Continue reading →

Posted in ASAN, Autism, Autistic, Communicate, perspective of others, Space and Pace, support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

ASAN Vancouver: Protesting Autism Speaks #boycottAutismSpeaks

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Last week H and I made our way into the big city to attend an ASAN meeting with the newly founded ASAN Vancouver Chapter. (ASAN = Autistic Self Advocacy Network) H was pretty quiet during the meeting, and was creating … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Activist, Advocacy, advocate, ASAN, Autism, autism stigma, Autistic, Boycott Autism Speaks, Margaret Mead, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sounding the Alarm… there is no acceptance here…

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

On Tuesday, July 15, I was still editing the comment below for the Autism Speaks docutrauma, Sounding the Alarm: Battling the Autism Epidemic, which is currently on Netflix. My intention was to leave it in the reviews section on Netflix … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Activist, ASAN, Autism, autism stigma, Autistic, Boycott Autism Speaks | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Liquid Man – A Poem of Acceptance #StopCombatingMe

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

If you follow my blog you will know my family lives in Vancouver, Canada – and it may appear that we are removed from what happens with bills and acts and legislation in the US – but the reality is … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Activist, ASAN, Autism, Autism Poem, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

My Money $peaks: A Post Script to ‘Silencing Autism Speaks’

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

My Money $peaks is a call to action follow-up to  Fear, Hate, and Exclusion: It’s time to silence Autism Speaks! There is a growing movement to inform and pressure the corporate sponsors of Autism Speaks to withdraw their support from this … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, ASAN, Autism, autism stigma, Boycott Autism Speaks, Money Speaks, reframe tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments