This article was first published in Spectrum Women Magazine on 22 July 2020. A tabby white cat dancing on a stage. Imagine you’re standing on a makeshift stage. Just you. It’s time to dance. You start to move around the stage, the dancing getting better as you feel more comfortable. Then somebody removes some of…
“WHAT CAN I SAY INSTEAD?”
Alternatives to ableist slurs More and more people are recognising why you should avoid using terms like ‘retard’, ‘idiot’, ‘imbecile’ or ‘moron’ as an insult, though they may struggle to think of terms to use instead. These types of slurs have become so normalised, and are used so commonly, it can seem like a hard…
AUTISM: A BRAVE NEW WORLD?
A silhouette style illustration of a woman superhero with sun setting in the valley background This article was first published on 9 February 2020 in Spectrum Women Magazine. "You’re very brave.” I get that a lot. In fact, I’ve been hearing it constantly ever since I ‘came out’ as autistic. It’s usually said kindly (I…
Who’s to blame for Whorlton Hall?
A recent BBC Panorama programme uncovered horrendous abuse taking place in an institution in the UK meant to provide care for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. I must confess, I didn’t watch it: I have a hard enough time as it is getting a good night’s sleep. It would be convenient to be…
The five things I loved most about ‘The Rosie Result’
I honestly didn't realise how much I'd missed Don Tilman, the character Graeme Simsion first brought to life in 'The Rosie Project' and revisited in 'The Rosie Effect', until I dived into the final instalment of the Rosie trilogy as soon as it was published in the UK. Here is a list of some of…
TEN REASONS WHY I DON’T FIT THE AUTISM STEREOTYPE
There are still many myths and misconceptions about autism. Here are ten reasons why I don't fit the popular stereotype of an autistic person: I have two x chromosomes. I'm over twelve years old. I need a calculator to do big sums. I don't know my Bluetooth from my Blu Ray. (Seriously, is there a…
Why It’s About More Than the R-word and the Equality Double Standard
This article appeared on February 12, 2017 on Medium.com and also featured on the Spread the word to end the word campaign's site on the 14th of March 2018 by Maura Campbell Since I became the parent of a child with additional needs, #I’ve looked at the world through different eyes. I saw very quickly that…
The Same Only Different
This article appeared on September 6, 2017 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell Imagine for a moment what it would be like if medical practitioners talked about red haired people the way they talk about autistics. (Stay with me.) A description of a redhead might go something like this: Nearly 2% of people worldwide suffer…
Coming Soon!
The Journey Begins
Thanks for joining me! "It doesn't have to start at the beginning and it doesn't have to feel like it is all over before you got the chance to begin" - Barb Cook
Neuro Dizzy 