April Walks With Autism

I'll admit, most of my life I've been somewhat of an entertainment junkie. And by somewhat, I mean........totally.

But in recent years, my priorities have shifted quite a bit and I can't even remember the last year I watched the Emmy's. I mean, who has time to WATCH television let alone watch a show that celebrates the accomplishments of said media? Not me.

But not this year. Oh no. I was GLUED.

How many years in the past have we all watched the "documentary of the moment" walk on stage and scoop up their prizes? In years past we've seen made for TV movies ranging from war to depression to religion to politics to disease and everything in between. And it's been great. I'm really happy for all of the winners (hits FF button on the DVR remote).

But this year, I cared. A lot. Because this year, I was up for an Emmy. Luke was up for an Emmy. Anyone who has been touched by autism (and there's a lot of us) was up for an Emmy. It was OUR night. Sorry, Temple, but we're all in this WITH you.

And we won. Big. (May I add, as I predicted in my very own blog post)

I don't know Claire Danes. I don't know Mick Jackson. I don't know anyone at HBO. I don't know Temple. Oh, wait a minute.

Oh ok, I DIGRESS!

So if I don't know these people, why do I care?

Because somehow, someway, people still don't know about autism. I KNOW, right?

And this movie, Temple Grandin - - brought autism to everyone's living room. It's out on DVD now. If you still don't know what autism is, spend the $15 and watch this movie. You'll know. This movie takes you literally inside the mind of an autistic person. And what an amazing mind it is.

The movie won 7 of the 15 Emmy's it was nominated for:
David Straithairn: Best Supporting Actor
Julia Ormond: Best Supporting Actor (she portrayed Temple's mom to PERFECTION)
Claire Danes: Best Actress (you may have heard, she actually played Temple, BRILLIANTLY)
Mick Jackson: Best Director (GENIUS)
Oustanding music composition - did you know the volume of the music was adjusted up and down to try to mimic the autistic experience?
Outstanding camera editing - I'm thinking about that ceiling fan friends. The one that still haunts me.
and of course: Outstanding made for TV movie

Sooooooooooo the Emmy's kind of turned into, "The Temple Grandin show." Because by GOLLY every time they said her name, she stood up and waved. GO GIRL!

Temple Grandin did not say a word until she was 4 years old.
Temple Grandin has had a helluva life.
Temple Grandin has accomplished more than most of us ever will.
Temple Grandin's story is so inspiring, so electrifying, so frightening, so captivating that a made for TV movie about it swept the Emmy awards in 2010.
And she's autistic.

I LOVE THAT.

Every award they handed out, I clapped and I cried.

Because I was winning that award! Luke was winning that award! AUTISM was winning that award!

I love what she says in this clip. I LOVE IT. "I absolutely knew that a mom would do it right."

Wait, I thought autistic people were socially awkward and never knew the right thing to say?

I wonder if Temple herself realizes what an inspiration she is. To all of us. I wonder if she realizes that getting up on that stage - - PERIOD is an inspiration but then the hug........ oh the hug. Those of you on this journey with me -- you know. Enough said. If Temple can get there....so can we. So can your child.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who had anything to do with getting this movie made. Thank you for using your power and your celebrity to bring autism to the forefront. Thank you for doing it right. Thank you for not only raising awareness, but taking it a step further and educating.

Thank you Temple Grandin. For opening up your life to us. For sharing your story. For being an inspiration. For continuing the fight. For being who you are. For showing us the way. For blazing the trail. Most people who DON'T have autism have the capability to do that. How brave you are Ms. Grandin.