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Since publishing my first book I’m Not Naughty, I’m Autistic – Jodi’s Journey, I have received several letters thanking me for writing it.

Usually, the letters have been from family members who expressed gratitude for at last being able to show others a simple to read, honest account of what it’s like living with the disability.

Autism isn’t easy to explain.

Naturally, I’ve felt pleased I’ve been able to help in some small way.

Today, however, I received a letter and it made me cry. It brought back many memories.

This letter was written, not by a family member, but by an adult called Mark, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism.

Here is part of his unedited letter, which really touched my heart -

“Thank you for writing your book. It needs people like you so people can be a lot lot more understanding than what they are.

How is Jodi? Say “hello”. Like Jodi I am well, well into videos, films, DVD’s.

I am an adult, but have Asperger Syndrome.

I am married. My wife is “not” disabled in any way. We have people being very nasty Horrible to US.

We have two children - boys. People have said to my wife “ “How could you have children with a person like THAT?”

We have been married TEN YEARS. This is amazing considering my in-laws are from HELL”

I really felt for Mark and his family when I read it. I know how I’ve felt in the past when people have made rude comments about my son, who doesn’t physically look as if he has any problems.

Of course, Jodi never understood, but I did, and even though a lot said was from ignorance, those thoughtless words hurt ME very much indeed.

Now, I’m stronger and if someone says something rude within earshot, I’ll say very politely,

“My son has autism. What’s your excuse?”

It usually gets me an apology, or at least some form of acknowledgement things aren’t always as they seem.

No-one asks to be born with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or any other disability.

They, and their families suffer enough without having to contend with rude, insensitive comments from people who open their mouths without first engaging their brains.

Mark’s situation reminded me of something I received some years ago. I’d like to share it with you now.

Hopefully you’ll remember the story, and pass it on to others, especially the younger generation, who sometimes fail to appreciate how lucky they are.

Thankyou

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.

Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it, and the father suggested the boy now pull out one nail for each day he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said,

‘You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.Â It won’t matter how many times you say “I’m sorry”, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.”