A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism
Managing Editor's Note: I respect Temple Grandin's point of view for herself (watch the trailer below) but autism is not what my children are. It's what holds them back, puts them in harm's way, and keeps them at arm's length from the world. I'm eager to see this movie. Kim
Visit the website at: A Mother's Courage.
Imagine not being able to engage with the world around you. Imagine not being able to express your feelings, dreams and aspirations to anyone, even if those feelings, dreams and aspirations are in no way less or inferior to those of other people. Imagine having to depend upon the assistance of others with every mundane task, like dressing or feeding yourself. Imagine living with all of these limitations, despite being of sound mind -- aware of everything that is going on around you but incapable of letting anyone know.
A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism (a.k.a The Sunshine Boy), a documentary by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, tells the story of Margret, a mother who has done everything in her power to help her son. Keli is eleven years old and is severely autistic - his mother doesn‘t even know if he understands Icelandic, let alone other languages. Even if Margret holds no unrealistic expectations on behalf of Keli, she has the quenchless thirst for knowledge about the mysterious and complex condition that autism undeniably is. Along they way, Margret meets other families and hears their unique stories about how they too have been touched by autism.
On a course set to include the United States and Europe, she meets with scientists in the field of autism and autism therapies and the parents of autistic children who share her passion: to break down the wall between the children and the surrounding world. This journey becomes lengthier and more dramatic than she envisioned at the start. During the trip, she catches a glimpse of hope that her son can be helped to a larger degree than previously assumed.
Perhaps it is possible to break down the wall of autism and get to know the individual behind it?
A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism (a.k.a The Sunshine Boy) is narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet.
God knows why he bless us gift like that son, because he knows they can take good care of that son.
Posted by: Electric Mobility | September 13, 2011 at 01:16 AM
I'd like to recommend the book Gut and Psychology Sydrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride. She also has a website gapsdiet.com. She has had a lot of success treating autism and other disorders w/diet.
Posted by: Brenda | September 02, 2011 at 04:34 PM
I saw the documentary the other day, and I was absolutely amazed. I'm recommending it to everybody I know.
Posted by: Cody | May 25, 2011 at 04:12 PM
All of these comments prove on thing. Each and everyone affected by Autism is different. As different as each and everyone of us who is not effected.
There will never be a book or movie that explains every child with Autism. It is the one fact about Autism that makes it the most challenging to treat.
Posted by: Barbara | September 29, 2010 at 09:56 PM
My mother used to compare my classically ASD child to Temple all the time - until she saw the movie. Then, she said to me, "Oh, hmm. Yeah, he's not really anything like that." A lightbulb went off for her, thank god.
Aspie - by the time most of our children are 18 years old, they will have been in "therapy" for 15+ years. My son started at the age of 18 months. Sometimes "therapy" can only do so much - and only as much as your insurance will pay for. These broad generalities just don't get us anywhere.
Posted by: JessicaF | September 26, 2010 at 11:01 AM
I do recognize that all persons on the autism spectrum should have help and support. If your 18 year old son can't speak or dress himself, he needs therapy to gain necessary living skills.
As for HFA/Asperger's, I see it as a condition that gives you disabilities (such as in socialization) and superabilities (e.g. technical skills) at the same time. If I were to be "cured", I would lose all that makes me unique. I want certain issues addressed but don't wish to change my neurology.
Posted by: Aspie | September 25, 2010 at 11:53 PM
Guys;
Aspies, PDD-NOS, HPVs(never heard of that one) and let me add those with bipolar like my daugher - things ain't right!
Sure my son can bush hog on the tractor, sure my son can clib upon the roof for his grandfather and put a cap on the chimney but things ain't right.
A 24 year old should not have to be bullied to get out of his room, to be made to help. At 24 years old he should be doing more than one job one or two hours in a whole week. This is riduculus!
Either he is damn well sick or he is the laziest human being I have ever known!
SO which is it?
Do I get mad at him or do I feel sorry for him?
This is by the way a old returning question for me?
Sick of it - sick as I can be. You should have seen his long face today when he was suppose to be helping to put in a floating wood floor in his grandparent's house. He moved like cold molasses, he was miserable to be around, now you tell me how he is suppose to hold a job. I would fire him in a second and I am his mother.
Posted by: Benedetta | September 25, 2010 at 07:55 PM
I so often want to beat my head in the wall...yes..Temple is wonderful..but that's not my child. My child...at 18..cannot write, speak or make a single sound, needs help with dressing has never in his life brushed his hair or brushed his teeth and some days, can't even feed himself. He will just sit and stare at this food and smile until I catch on, oh he need help today getting food to his mouth. he functions lower today than he did at two, when he still had speech and some physical skills.
Also I have an HFA son as well..yes to all you aspies and HFA, we know you can take care of yourself, you can do school work and even hold a job. We know you can do amazing things and are not wanting a cure...my HFA does not want a cure for himself, but boy does he want one for his brother. Please understand for some autism is just a different way of being...for others is a prison. For those of us who have a child held prisoner to autism, give us a break went we want to recover our kids or want a cure. Understand, these are people who not only can't take care of themselves, they can't work and make a living. EVERYONE deserves a chance to make a living. Don't knock us for standing up for our kids, when you don't know what it's like to be that profoundly disabled.
Posted by: Cheryl Bailey | September 25, 2010 at 05:54 PM
You can read more about it on the review I posted a while back when this movie first aired.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chantal-sicile-kira/hbo-a-mothers-courage-tal_b_517987.html
Posted by: chantal Sicile-Kira | September 25, 2010 at 05:46 PM
I saw this a couple of months ago. I was disappointed to say the least. As Kim said, the Temple Grandin parts, to me, send the wrong message as far as my child is concerned. The same could probably be said for the mother in the film and her boy as well. Much respect for Dr. Grandin, but she disappointingly painted with a somewhat broad brush here.
Posted by: Samsdad | September 25, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Hi there I'm a new single mom
Posted by: Dane | September 25, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Speaking as a young adult with autism (Asperger's Syndrome to be precise), most people with this condition are perfectly capable of feeding and dressing themselves. Before any of you accuse me of being self-diagnosed, I must let you know I was professionally diagnosed as an adolescent.
Posted by: Aspie | September 25, 2010 at 01:14 PM
It looks good.
"This journey becomes lengthier and more dramatic than she envisioned at the start."
Lengthier and dramatic that is the last 30 years in a nutshell.
My son said - yes he talks and he is 24 years old, but he said yeterday to me in the car that the reason he did not talk was because he was too tired and it was too much of an effort.
So, there is still so much to learn
Posted by: Benedetta | September 25, 2010 at 09:38 AM