Guest guest Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Debra wrote to GRASP members: >...Since we continue to develop and change throughout our >lives, it hardly seems logical to classify and divide ourselves >based upon someone else's observation of us at any given time. Nor >should we succumb to attempts to divide us by our level >of " functioning, " which will vary depending on the criteria used and >the circumstances under which it's measured. Nice. Maybe some day the official title could be changed to Global and Regional Autism Spectrum Partnership. Or Autism Sector? or Autism Support? Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Jane wrote: >> Nice.<< Thank you. >> Maybe some day the official title could be changed to Global and Regional Autism Spectrum Partnership. Or Autism Sector? or Autism Support?<< I just participated in a (limited) discussion of that very idea. It appears that while " we " all agree the name change will happen some day, " they " aren't ready to change yet. I don't know who " they " are. (Don't forget, I'm not in the inner circle.) There will be future discussions. - Debra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 > >> Nice.<< > > Thank you. > > >> Maybe some day the official title could be changed to Global and > Regional Autism Spectrum Partnership. Or Autism Sector? or Autism > Support?<< > > I just participated in a (limited) discussion of that very idea. It > appears that while " we " all agree the name change will happen some > day, " they " aren't ready to change yet. I don't know who " they " are. > (Don't forget, I'm not in the inner circle.) There will be future > discussions. > > - Debra > Debra, if you are running those support groups, you certainly deserve to be in the inner circle. My main problem with GRASP is that J tends to make way too many decisons, assuming he knows what is best for the rest of us without really listening to his community. GRASP, more than anything else, is a cash cow so can be paid to do stuff I did for free before he could even spell aspergers, let alone know he has it. J is useful in that the NT community understands the way he does things but for us, that is not necessarily a good thing always. I would feel a lot better about GRASP if, besides its horrible name, it had a democratic structure, an elected Board of directors and a way for the rest of us to be members of it. Right now, GRASP is just another dictatorship and I really have no interest in following any dictator, no matter how good his intentions or impressive his connections. Jerry Newport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Jerry wrote: >> Debra, if you are running those support groups, you certainly deserve to be in the inner circle. My main problem with GRASP is that J tends to make way too many decisons, assuming he knows what is best for the rest of us without really listening to his community. GRASP, more than anything else, is a cash cow so can be paid to do stuff I did for free before he could even spell aspergers, let alone know he has it. J is useful in that the NT community understands the way he does things but for us, that is not necessarily a good thing always. I would feel a lot better about GRASP if, besides its horrible name, it had a democratic structure, an elected Board of directors and a way for the rest of us to be members of it. Right now, GRASP is just another dictatorship and I really have no interest in following any dictator, no matter how good his intentions or impressive his connections. << Jerry, I agree with you about the structure of GRASP. Without a membership, things are being done " for " us, rather than " by " us. If no one knows what's going on behind the scenes, it's easy to imagine corruption. We don't really know who's in charge. At the same time, the support groups, once established, are autonomous -- or so far appear to be. GRASP provides the meeting place and the mailing list, and is there for support. There's no cost to anyone attending a support group. Carley performs a full-time job and deserves to be paid. He has knowledge I wish I had, about non-profit organizations and fundraising and grant-writing. I come with experience in politics and community activism, but it's mostly along the lines of campaign management and volunteer coordination. I don't know about the big money. As I said to you privately, I made the same mistake in politics -- doing for free what others did for pay -- and I sometimes feel foolish for doing so. But I do believe it gives me a credibility I wouldn't otherwise have -- and I'm obligated to no one. You may remember when Patti asked us to join ASA, thinking that increased Autistic activism within the organization would effect change. I soon gave up any hope of influencing ASA. I wrote several letters complaining about their web site and never got one answer. Carley may not agree with me on everthing (including the web site), but he's accessible, and he'll talk to me (although so far we've been too busy discussing details to engage in any in- depth discussion). And was there when I came in and said " I think my son has Aperger's Syndrome. " I'm the one quoted in Amy Harmon's article who said she was at GRASP to see if she fit in. I did fit in. I didn't fit in at Autreat (talk about dictatorship). I feel connected to the people on AutAdvo and the Treehouse, but I also need an in-person connection. My grand hope is a united Autistic rights movement. I'd like to see the online groups join together and join with the in-person groups. I see a place for the conservative, professional Autistics, even though I may criticize them. I also see a place for the radical, outspoken Autistics. A true movement needs a spectrum. - Debra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Debra wrote: >I'm the one quoted in Amy Harmon's article who said she was at GRASP >to see if she fit in. I did fit in. I didn't fit in at Autreat >(talk about dictatorship). ??? Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Jane wrote: ??? The comment about a dictatorship refers back to Jerry's characterization of GRASP as a dictatorship (which I didn't totally disagree with). Am I wrong that ANI and Autreat are fully controlled by Jim Sinclair? I've had my personal problems with Jim, and I ended up leaving the ANI list in a huff. Not to say that I haven't had a problem with Carley. Just recently, I asked someone whom I greatly respect to discuss important issues with , and he embarassed me with his condescending attitude. Life is full of compromises. And you have to choose your fights. - Debra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Debra wrote: >The comment about a dictatorship refers back to Jerry's >characterization of GRASP as a dictatorship (which I didn't totally >disagree with). Am I wrong that ANI and Autreat are fully controlled >by Jim Sinclair? Yes, you are wrong about that. Jim certainly has a major influence, due to his history in the group and the amount of work he puts in to it. But " fully control " ? No. For example, there is a group that decides what workshops will be given at Autreat. I think Jim's " history of ANI " http://web.syr.edu/~jisincla/History_of_ANI.html does a good job of explaining why ANI turned out to be the group it is rather than the group many people wish it were. The remedy for the dissatisfied is to form a group that fulfills their needs and expectations. Those who are not dissatisfied with ANI but feel out-of-the-loop have opportunities to participate more (and do more work). It's not a good idea for anyone to do much work for any group, though, if they are out of sympathy with the basic nature of the group. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 > >The comment about a dictatorship refers back to Jerry's > >characterization of GRASP as a dictatorship (which I didn't totally > >disagree with). Am I wrong that ANI and Autreat are fully controlled > >by Jim Sinclair? > > Yes, you are wrong about that. I agree to disagree with you on that, Jane. I first joined ANI in 1994 and my concerns are echoed by many people who have come and gone. However, I removed my original post because I thought it wasn't productive to air that here, whether about ANI or GRASP. And I agree with you that anyone not happy with ANI is free to start something else. Same for GRASP. Limitations aside, they both do a a lot of good. Jerry Newport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Jerry wrote: >> I removed my original post because I thought it wasn't productive to air that here, whether about ANI or GRASP. << This doesn't have to do with Jerry's original post, but I've been thinking a lot about that lately -- whether I should be saying some of the things I've said here. And I've decided this is the the best place to air things. This group is for Autistics only. So here we don't have to worry about how we look to the rest of the world. I don't represent anyone here but myself, and I'm free to make an ass of myself now and then. I'm willing to concede everyone else's right to do the same. Here I can ask questions and get honest answers. I appreciate that. - Debra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 > >> I removed my original post because I thought it wasn't productive > to air that here, whether about ANI or GRASP. << > > This doesn't have to do with Jerry's original post, but I've been > thinking a lot about that lately -- whether I should be saying some of > the things I've said here. And I've decided this is the the best > place to air things. > > This group is for Autistics only. So here we don't have to worry > about how we look to the rest of the world. I don't represent anyone > here but myself, and I'm free to make an ass of myself now and then. > I'm willing to concede everyone else's right to do the same. > > Here I can ask questions and get honest answers. I appreciate that. > > - Debra > Well, I have certainlye exercised my right to be an ass here. As for what you have a right to know if you are on the GRASP advisory board, you certainly have a right to see the budget and should be consulted before GRASP takes any public positions on major issues unless there just isn't time. I don't think there is anything illegal going on. I just wish the organization had members with votes on some things. We need a viable group with the right structure and democracy to allow that. GRASP comes close but still misses the mark. Good luck, Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 > > > Well, I have certainly exercised my right to be an ass here. Don't bet your ass on it. I didn't study all of the details of the messages, but it seems that the gist was that the organisations are tightly controlled by their founders. I don't see anything wrong with stating that. Whether individuals' control is good, bad or indifferent is a separate issue. It doesn't bother me personally, but if someone wishes to establish an organisation with broad-based goverance, there's nothing to stop them and I suppose I could lend some help in that area. - s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I really wonder why an organization would voluntarily designate itself/its own members as " ani. " <:-S I've had the English translation of the singular of that term applied to me, but ... would I have chosen it voluntarily? I don't think so .... Yours for better letters, Kate Gladstone Handwriting Repair and the World Handwriting Contest handwritingrepair@... http://learn.to/handwrite, http://www.global2000.net/handwritingrepair 325 South Manning Boulevard Albany, New York 12208-1731 USA telephone 518/482-6763 AND REMEMBER ... you can order books through my site! (Amazon.com link - I get a 5% - 15% commission on each book sold) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 In Hebrew, it means " I " . Which language do you mean? *curious* Ari > > I really wonder why an organization would voluntarily designate > itself/its own members as " ani. " > > <:-S > > I've had the English translation of the singular of that term applied > to me, but ... would I have chosen it voluntarily? I don't think so > ... > > > > > Yours for better letters, > Kate Gladstone > Handwriting Repair and the World Handwriting Contest > handwritingrepair@... > http://learn.to/handwrite, http://www.global2000.net/handwritingrepair > 325 South Manning Boulevard > Albany, New York 12208-1731 USA > telephone 518/482-6763 > AND REMEMBER ... > you can order books through my site! > (Amazon.com link - > I get a 5% - 15% commission on each book sold) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Latin - the plural of " anus " ;-) Re: GRASP > In Hebrew, it means " I " . Which language do you mean? *curious* > > Ari > > > > > > > I really wonder why an organization would voluntarily designate > > itself/its own members as " ani. " > > > > <:-S > > > > I've had the English translation of the singular of that term applied > > to me, but ... would I have chosen it voluntarily? I don't think so > > ... > > > > > > > > > > Yours for better letters, > > Kate Gladstone > > Handwriting Repair and the World Handwriting Contest > > handwritingrepair@... > > http://learn.to/handwrite, http://www.global2000.net/handwritingrepair > > 325 South Manning Boulevard > > Albany, New York 12208-1731 USA > > telephone 518/482-6763 > > AND REMEMBER ... > > you can order books through my site! > > (Amazon.com link - > > I get a 5% - 15% commission on each book sold) > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 > In Hebrew, it means " I " . Which language do you mean? *curious* >> I really wonder why an organization would voluntarily designate >> itself/its own members as " ani. " The only thing I can think of is ANI which is caller ID in North American telephony. I think the reference in the message is that he wonders why an organization which is closely held by one individual would designate itself as " international " . They should perhaps designate themselves, Autistics Transmitting About Help (ATAH). - s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Yes, in Hebrew " ani " means " I. " In Latin, though, " ani " means " anuses " or " of an anus " or " of the anus. " Yours for better letters, Kate Gladstone Handwriting Repair and the World Handwriting Contest handwritingrepair@... http://learn.to/handwrite, http://www.global2000.net/handwritingrepair 325 South Manning Boulevard Albany, New York 12208-1731 USA telephone 518/482-6763 AND REMEMBER ... you can order books through my site! (Amazon.com link - I get a 5% - 15% commission on each book sold) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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