On October 11th, I blogged while I was being interviewed by Paul Adler from KY3. The story on hate e-mails and comments ran in tonight’s post-football newscast and the first impression I had is that the old adage about the camera adding ten pounds seems a little low to me.
Paul did an excellent job with that story (click here to see it) and I want to thank him for speaking to me about this issue. Paul’s editing of our interview for the story kept my interview segments in context and I want to thank him for mentioning how some people have chosen to send insulting comments about my son’s autism because they disagree with me on some issue. I blogged back in August about someone calling my autistic son a retard at a local restaurant and trust me that it’s not the only time I’ve heard that word used in reference to my son and myself.
I sometimes find it hard to believe that in 2007 the word “retard” is still used so easily by people in their twenties and thirties. I can understand someone in their sixties or seventies using it because in their younger days the word did not have the same insulting meaning as it does in today’s lexicon.
My stories aren’t even among some of the worst I’ve heard. Spend some time with the family of a special needs child and you will find out quickly that tolerance of those with special needs is low in many areas of society and right here in the Ozarks.
Now, on the thank you front, I also want to thank Cassil’s Coffee Cafe for allowing us to do the interview there. They have good food and a great atmosphere if you want to get away or just have a nice chat with an old friend. I recommend those guys highly.
Again, Paul, great story and thank you again for the opportunity.
And to those of you visiting this blog because of the story tonight (and my blog count has jumped exponentially since it aired) thank you for taking the time to visit.
Yes, it was really nice that PAUL gave you the opportunity, Jason.
Yes, Jacke is the one who referred Paul to me. So thank you to her as well.
(Still, Paul could have picked someone else so he still deserves thanks!)
You’re welcome.
I also have an autistic son. A few years ago, some troll who disagreed with my views said insanity runs in my family because my son is mentally ill. Thanks for sticking up for these kids.