I believe most families living on the Autism Spectrum have. It is a very splendid thing to experience. As families take their journey on the AutismHWY you often find that comforting place. A place of acceptance, of love and celebration of diversity. This is what I am talking about. A pure belief in the human spirit not colored by others expectations and the ever-shifting standards of “human normalcy.” Barriers must be broken down to get to this place we will ALL hopefully travel to. To “see” and experience this incredible phenomenon.
How many years have people struggled with differences? Some will say going all of the way back to the beginning of time, perhaps when that ‘1st apple’ was eaten. It seems so ridiculous that we as “thinking” people cannot accept diversity. We freely admit we are all “like snowflakes.” We seem to enjoy that fact, repeating it as a mantra and passing it down generation after generation. Why then do we fall short living up to that precious belief? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it narcissistic ranking and status seeking? Our hearts and our minds tell us that tolerance is the kind and gentle way to live. Yet, everyday examples of intolerance surface all over the world.
Intolerance is something Aut-families walk through everyday like a minefield…sometimes it is NOT just intolerance. It is intolerance peppered with a great amount of ignorance. (A quite rancid seasoning to add!) Autism has a way of humbling a family. The family soon realizes that extra supports are needed and adjustments must occur. Soon you realize what we should all, already know. That being of service to others is a very rewarding and noble way to live your life. So often we see siblings and friends of the Autistic population growing up to be super people. Kind, loving and tolerant! There is no room for the “Me,Me,Me” mindset it just doesn’t fit into our big picture! I often wonder is that the reason that we see so much more Autism…this colorblind rainbow?? Is Autism bringing the world together? Teaching the world tolerance on a whole other level…one family at a time?
I was lucky enough to have a chance to speak about this April 22,2012 on the Lisa Ann Walter Radioshow on Clear Channels KFI. Dana Commandatore from www.rethinkingautism.com and I were happy to start clueing listeners in to our BIG PICTURE….our ‘color-blind rainbow!’ About 30 minutes into the show Dana and I had an hour block of time to chip away!! Click this link and listen in:
Learning to accept an alternate lifestyle can be hard for many people. Afterall we are spoon-fed what we should expect in life. The problem with that is the many hands and many interests holding those spoons. Many people have lost sight of so much in the fast paced world that we live in. It seems we will “eat” anything! 
I would like to think that people will wake up when Autism joins their family and set their tables for diversity. The bounty you will find there may be unexpected and perhaps not what you ordered but, it will feed your soul like nothing else you have tried.
Am I crazy to believe that Autism is a way for the world to see the proverbial “forest through the trees”? A way for people to get a hands on experience to a type of diversity that will change their lives. Opening your eyes to the ways we are all different and how those differences teach us great truths about who we are as people and how we should be living. How we should be treating our families, our neighbors, our friends. Serving others to gain a better insight into humanity. This is the ‘Color-Blind Rainbow’ Autism has brought to my world that we should all be grateful we can see!! 
