Recently, a friend sent me a link to an article written by a young man named Jacob Artson. Jacob is 17, and describes himself as nonverbal, severely autistic, and developmentally disabled. His article, Encumbered and Blessed, is a very moving, honest, and insightful treatment of his experience of inclusion and exclusion in diverse communities.
Jacob’s father is Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, and the article appears on the website for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). I have no affiliation with the USCJ, and it is not my intention to proselytize for Judaism by referring you to this article. (I do not allow proselytizing on this blog or in my life.)
I am posting the link only because the article is an absolute gem. I’d be very interested in hearing your responses to it.
© 2010 by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg
well… i can’t speak to all of it; the experiences are much different in many ways. (people look at me and think i’m “quiet” or “eccentric” or “spacy:)
” but they do not immediately know i’m autistic.) but it’s courageous, that i know.
one thing that stands out for me is the somewhat illusory distinction between “high” and “low” functioning: how arbitrary it can be. it also leads me to think further about the distinction between “verbal” and “non-verbal.” how “cut and dry” is that set of labels? i don’t know. i think it’s more than worth questioning.
on a personal note: i related to that sense of being “taken in” and accepted in black communities, in communities of color. i grew up in a largely white suburb, i was not “strictly white,” i was a little “odd;” it was painful. when i grew up, i tend now to live in communities that are diverse, “poor” (because i’m “poor.”) even though there are misunderstandings, my meltdowns can cause problems, i’m socially awkward, shy, over-whelmed by many people at once—i have had more of a sense of acceptance and tolerance than in my growing up years.
i don’t know if that’s here or there, but it struck me.
thanks for the article. it is quite the inspiration.
What an inspiration this young man must be to those who live with or near him! My oldest Aspie daughter moved to a large city known for its multicultural mix. She says it’s less of an issue to be different in such places. She has also seemed heroic to me when she talks about how, although the things many people find easy are hard for her, many things other people find hard are easy for her. It’s a joy to find such spiritual strength in someone with so many physical challenges. Clearly hardship can be a powerful character builder.
A Latina friend whose family is from the Dominican Republic tells me that in Latin America, when you’re new in town, people come by and make sure that you feel welcome. She always has a difficult time settling into a new place up here because the burden is on the newcomer to make him or herself known. So I can see why Jason would feel a greater sense of inclusion in the Hispanic community.
Even though I have mild autism myself (Aspergers), I must say I learned a lot about more intense autism from this article. It was very moving to me, as an Aspie and as a Jew. I wish everyone could read this article.
very interesting article. here there’s a lot of discussion currently on accessibility and accomodation for people with disabilities so that they can be more integrated with their faith communities, learn about their faith etc. I am more aware of what’s going on in the Muslim community but I gather some of the initiatives are across the board, faith-wise. One of my Muslim disability advocate friends tells me that a lot of support has come from a Jewish organization
BTW, if you notice a lot of blue headscarfs on April 2, that’s because it’s “blue hijab day” (thank you, facebook!) in support of Autism awareness!