Tag Archives: Tragedy

“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

Stop… and Rail Against Stigma!

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

“Stop,” a poem about the damage of negative stigma for Autistic people and those who love and support them, was originally published here, and was written in memory of Alex Spourdalakis… and far too many others… I am ready for … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Autism, autism stigma, diversity, Neurodiversity, poem, poetry, reframe tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 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

Fear, Hate, and Exclusion: It’s time to silence Autism Speaks!

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I will begin with the words of my son, H, when he was 13: “I am not a tragedy and autism is a part of who I am. Mom – autism means I think differently… and that is a good … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Autism, autism stigma, Autistic People Speaking, Educator, Neurodiversity, Parent, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Stop

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Stop   These words of tragedy Emblazoned on notepads and billboards This epidemic of dehumanization This narrowed definition of being Twisted finer and thinner So that it lacks any sensitivity So that the words themselves are A garrote Cutting into … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, ASD, Autism, autism stigma, diversity, poem, poetry, reframe tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

To the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Autism and Reframing Tragedy

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Dear Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, I will begin with the words of my son, H: “I am not a tragedy and autism is a part of who I am. Mom – autism means I think differently… and that … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, ASD, Aspergers, Autism, diversity, Shame, worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Preoccupation with another layer of autism stigma: Crap…this goes deep!

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I have been preoccupied with the ideas of self-advocacy lately. I am so motivated to delve into this – to understand more about the developmental components and the building bricks that will support the skills of advocacy.  I know… I … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Arizona TASH, Aspergers, Autism, Autism Positivity, connections, Diagnosis, label, Laura Nagle, Neurotypical, perspective of others, promote social understanding, self-advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Autism Positivity… and the motivation to reframe “tragedy”

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I will begin with the words of my son, H: “I am not a tragedy and autism is a part of who I am. Mom – autism means I think differently… and that is a good thing. Isn’t it?!?” I … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Anxiety, Autism, Autism Positivity, Behaviour, diversity, Shame, The Gap, worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments