Comments on: “‘He’s not a dud’”

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 22:56:02 +0000

Julie: Yes, and of course his words could well have been quoted out of context in the article. Nonetheless, it’s strong language to see applied to a child–any child, and some of his other statements about disability could be further considered.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 22:35:36 +0000

It’s presumptuous to assume that he either would or he wouldn’t have realized his son’s talents. Unless you, or I, or anyone else can read the future, let’s not twist words to fit our purposes and suppose what might have been. Suffice it to say, he is the parent of a “disabled” child and he’s learned in his own way how to understand his son. Isn’t that enough?

Perhaps using terms such as “dud” just shows how wrong he was about his son to begin with. Isn’t that part of the point he’s trying to make?

By: Bronwyn G

Bronwyn G — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:58:49 +0000

I read one of my Dad’s stories which he sent out to a competition. I was meant to be represented as Janey in the story. Janey was lining up tricycles and you can imagine how I was feeling when I read that line.

By: mom-nos

mom-nos — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 02:48:15 +0000

I really hope his son never reads his words. Can it be that he never considered how his son would feel upon learning that it took SIX YEARS for his father to realize that he “shouldn’t be defined by his disabilities?” It breaks my heart.

Kristina, I had fallen off the face of the blogosphere for the past week and was DELIGHTED to return to find that I now have TWO places to catch up with you and Charlie! I love the new blog!

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 01:28:51 +0000

I was surprised (though I guess I shouldn’t be) to see that comment from a parent. Of course he says he has “accepted” his son’s autism but it was very painful to read those quotations.

Charlie used always to be able to find our car even in a huge parking lot—-and we’ve certainly had many a great adventure once we’re all in.

By: Bronwyn G

Bronwyn G — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:01:26 +0000

I don’t think he would have, Kristina, so that is very sad.

Also we don’t think we can know his mind.

And I agree: Charlie is a DUDE.

Maybe not in the Dude where’s my car sense, because he can actually find the car and have a great adventure.