Thanks to all of my #ActuallyAutistic comrades who have voiced their support for my work and my right to exist as a human. Some have denied my actual humanity here recently and it’s been very distressing. I’m very appreciative to everyone for their virtual hugs and solidarity.
Of course I understand why some in the @actuallyautistic community don’t like me. You are free to unfollow or mute me. I understand that you think it’s “unethical” for me to charge for some of my services, time, energy, and spoons. I don’t agree and I will go as fas to say that this idea is internalized NT ableism. Autistic professionals are allowed to work in the autistic community. We are allowed to literally not starve to death while we are spending 12-18 hours per day working with the community. Because I’m aware that most of us cannot or do not work, the vast majority of my services are unpaid or reduced to a nominal amount to cover expenses. That will still offend some of you, and for that I cannot apologize, I can only ask you to mute or unfollow me.
Many of the above accusations are connected to the fact that I am a Jewish person. This cannot be accepted here. This community suffers from transphobia, homophobia, racism of all sorts. It makes me sad to see that amongst our community that people feel that they can feel comfortable to call me a Shylock, a con-artist “like the rest of you”, and even to step into a gas chamber. I ask everyone here who abhors racism to speak out against such comments and the common tropes used here against Jewish people. You don’t have to like ME, but you should not be OK with this in our community.
Despite being diagnosed as a child, it wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered that being autistic wasn’t a curse. The autism-positive community saved my life. It helped me find myself and be the person I am today. For that I am grateful and that is why I am here. I want to help everyone here discover themsleves and live their best lives.