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End the Perpetuation of Pity

As April's "autism awareness" is used by charities for fund-raising, depictions of autistic people, usually children, as monstrous, fearsome, pitiable, suffering, and a burden become ever more pervasive. So do depictions of brave, successfully "normalized," or "inspirational in overcoming their disability" children, teens, or young adults.

These stereotypes not only perpetuate fear and discrimination, and have been repeatedly decried as offensive and inappropriate by disabled people themselves, but they are not necessary for successful fund-raising campaigns.

This April, support autistic children, teens, young adults, and adults by refusing to participate in "awareness" events or fundraising that use pity, poster children, or "supercrips" as the basis of their media or campaigns. These tactics are dehumanising and distasteful, and have no place in charity work.

Pledge to donate to autism-related charities or participate in awareness events that don't resort to pity.

This is an ongoing pledge that should be fulfilled as often as possible.

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Comments, Suggestions and Stories

Angela Soper @ 11:58AM PT Feb 06

My son is autistic. He doesn't need a "cure". He doesn't "suffer" from autism. He's just him. He deserves to be accepted for the unique individual he is instead of pitied for who he is not.
Michelle Shull @ 09:56PM PT Dec 23

My daughter is autistic and I know what a wonderful girl is on the inside. I don't want pity for her or myself. I want people to understand the amazing things that one can learn from someone who sees things from a different perspective. I see the world from a broader perspective and with a happier heart thanks to her and the wonder she brings!
Tom Coakley Stratford, CT @ 05:52PM PT Nov 14

Pity is a tool of hucksters. There is every reason to believe that those who resort to the grotesque, the prurient, and the crisis are essentially cogs in an autism industry that is at least as interested in increasing the incomes of those who treat autism as improving the lives of people with autism.
Mark Antenucci @ 11:46AM PT Jul 15

"Pity may represent little more than the impersonal concern which prompts the mailing of a check." Martin Luther King, Jr.
Andrea Erickson @ 08:52AM PT Jul 15

The world will be better when we know each other as human beings and not as ANY label.
Larry Landauer @ 06:18AM PT Jul 15

Respect the dignity of all persons with autism.
Zully JF Alvarado @ 11:29AM PT May 16

Growing up as a child I did not like certain movies that showed Jerry Williams acting in certain ways, in ways like I had seen my friends at school, i had no language for it. Inside me I just knew that I did not like it and it felt strange. Now as an adult, it is very clear. I had polio as a child and I did not know that there was anything wrong with me, that there was something different about me, I was just me. I refused to attach labels to myself. This is how I want to see children of all types and backgrounds. I want to see them as they are and not the labels that the "professionals" "educational systems" attach to them. I am pleased to see this blog and the expressions of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. What you have to say and share is critical. Causes for Change International, an organization that I founded in 1996 is creating a facility in Ecuador called The Exploration Institute, it is intended for children and youth of varying and differing abilities,once completed it is to serve as a model to be replicated and I definitely need and want the input from this community. I will continue to read your entries and incorporate your ideas, thoughts in our creation and design. Thank you
Corina Becker @ 06:06PM PT May 10

I am an autistic adult, and I find pity to be insulting to how I think, feel and act, as well as my accomplishments. Pity does not help me grow. It does not help me to speak, to make friends, to interact and to live. It hinders my perception of self and gives a warped view on who I am. No more pity.
rosemary rannes Salem, NH @ 09:14PM PT Apr 30
Pledge fulfilled Apr 30, 2009!

http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/03/jim-carrey-ha-1.html
rosemary rannes Salem, NH @ 09:11PM PT Apr 30

Celebrities like Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carey whose son has autism have shared on CNN's Larry Kings show, about the joys and wonders their son brings into their lives every day.
They have discussed topics like educating people about autism, the cause and effects of immunization at an early age; likewise have also shown the capabilities their young son has even with autism.

This informative and uplifiting show was the second appearance by both celebrities who brought a panel of experts to further educate the public about autism.

Recently Michael J. Fox has been on t.v. talking about his condition with Parkinson's. He constantly reminds people
that what you see on the outside is not the person who
is on the inside. Michael J. Fox is a total inspiration to all
and so simply stated with such style that surely comes from within, and that is his message to just go out there and live your life the best way you can in the moment you are given.

I have learned so much and I know many others have too.
Most of all that Life is a precious Gift never to be pitied but
always to be celebrated.