Thread

Topic: " Why Bother Looking? "

By:Kirstie

Hi, I'm Kirstie and I have a brother Tyrone he's 14 and I'm 10. My story is that everywhere we go kids stare at Ty as if to say he's from another planet. It really bugs me, and I think why can't the children with disabilities and their families live in a place where you walk down the street and no one stares at you. It's hard to see kids whisper to their parents something about Ty and me.

I know exactly how you feel, staring is just horrible. I always stare right back at those people until they realise what they're doing. I wish we lived in a world where everyone could accept people for who they are. Well done for writing about it! Gemma

I know how you feel, it would be great if we lived somewhere like that but unfortunately we don't so keep your chin up and I have found that smiling and waving at the person always works it makes them feel really self conscious and bad. Amy :)

this might not help but I have a few suggestions

1 don’t try to prove it let them think what they want

2 explain what autism is to them and ask if they think you’re like that

3 let them think that and say to them they're just jealous that they don't have an autistic sib

4 just tell them that your not.

Staring has got to be one of the hardest things to deal with.  I guess that you probably got over Tyrone's disability when you were 4, and can't work out why everybody else hasn't.  I don't know why they can't accept it without talking about it and staring and pointing.  It really isn't such a big deal (especially when the person with the disability isn't theirs to live with!)

You are a wonderful human being because your compassion will outlive the rude stares and whispers....you rock!

We all deal with it hun - it's tough but after a while you stop seeing it and don't feel bad for staring back - sometimes it makes people realise. Well done for writing about it - you're not alone!!