Graeme’s answer to “I was shocked when I read some of the reviews that said you were making light of serious conditions…” > Likes and Comments
121 likes · Like
Was very comfortable with Don and delighted in his approach to life. I worked in workplace health and met many Don's over the years and am delighted to see such a good story about them.
My son is high functioning aspergers, and I LOVED your book. I felt Don is on the spectrum-- but no offense, he is a fantastic character! Can't wait to read book 2!
I used to teach gifted and talented kids - Don is all of them rolled into one! I fell in love with him, just as I did all the beautiful, quirky kids I taught! Thanks for bringing him to life :)
Yes, that's what I like...sometimes things he says or does make sense to me!
I've just finished The Rosie Effect. The Don Tillman story is fascinating and enormously entertaining... so far! (Hint: we need more 😉)
Don is clearly on the spectrum - but the thing about the spectrum is that it is enormously varied. As you say, he is not disabled, but just different and striving for acceptance. Differentness is good - the Don Tillman story is a celebration of this! More please, Graeme... 🙂
If you are close to anybody with Aspergers, it is not hard to see the difference between NTs and Aspies.
I don't entirely agree, Laureen. Yes, if you are close to someone with Aspergers, then you are likely to have a pretty good idea of their particular manifestation of the condition. But as I said, the spectrum is enormously varied. And within the Aspergers part of the spectrum, there is also great variety. I would say you have to know, really know, someone, to know if they are on the spectrum or, specifically, Aspie. It is all, however, just labels. The wider 'spectrum' is the spectrum of all personalities... 🙂
As a mom who's son has Asperger's I did not find this book at all offensive. It seems that in these times, someone is always insulted or upset about something. Infact, many times through out both books, I found Don to be LIKE my son , heard my son in Dons reasonings and in his humor. I found these books to be intelligent and humorous and did not feel that Aspy's were insulted at all. My only wish for a book 3.
While I do not have Aspergers, I do have depression, ADD and am responding to Graeme's comment that there's a little of Don in us all. We all have some form of damage, emotional or physical or mental disability...the key to embrace that whatever it is and try to find things to laugh about in life. Laughter is the best cure to m most of what life can throw your way. In no way minimizing the pain and struggles of many diseases. My Mom, Ida Kagan, said it best: "Whatever challenges life puts in your way, find a way to laugh. Or just fart."
Personally I loved the way the author presented the struggles people with Asperger's face and he did it in such a positive way, not to mention funny. It's brilliant. It raised my awareness of these conditions and made me laugh and just appreciate all the differences between humans and how to accept them the way they are and not judge them for the way they've been born.
Thank you, Graeme! I'm looking forward to reading "The Rosie Effect"!
I read this when working in Mental Health supported accommodation. I can truthfully say I lent it to my workmates and we all agreed we saw some of the same behaviours in various clients of ours. It was such a wonderful and honest portrayal of a variety of mental health conditions.
My kids on the spectrum love the Rosie books! So do I.
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Tula or KathyPotter
(new)
Sep 26, 2015 07:26PM
Was very comfortable with Don and delighted in his approach to life. I worked in workplace health and met many Don's over the years and am delighted to see such a good story about them.
reply
|
flag
My son is high functioning aspergers, and I LOVED your book. I felt Don is on the spectrum-- but no offense, he is a fantastic character! Can't wait to read book 2!
I used to teach gifted and talented kids - Don is all of them rolled into one! I fell in love with him, just as I did all the beautiful, quirky kids I taught! Thanks for bringing him to life :)
Yes, that's what I like...sometimes things he says or does make sense to me!
I've just finished The Rosie Effect. The Don Tillman story is fascinating and enormously entertaining... so far! (Hint: we need more 😉)Don is clearly on the spectrum - but the thing about the spectrum is that it is enormously varied. As you say, he is not disabled, but just different and striving for acceptance. Differentness is good - the Don Tillman story is a celebration of this! More please, Graeme... 🙂
If you are close to anybody with Aspergers, it is not hard to see the difference between NTs and Aspies.
I don't entirely agree, Laureen. Yes, if you are close to someone with Aspergers, then you are likely to have a pretty good idea of their particular manifestation of the condition. But as I said, the spectrum is enormously varied. And within the Aspergers part of the spectrum, there is also great variety. I would say you have to know, really know, someone, to know if they are on the spectrum or, specifically, Aspie. It is all, however, just labels. The wider 'spectrum' is the spectrum of all personalities... 🙂
As a mom who's son has Asperger's I did not find this book at all offensive. It seems that in these times, someone is always insulted or upset about something. Infact, many times through out both books, I found Don to be LIKE my son , heard my son in Dons reasonings and in his humor. I found these books to be intelligent and humorous and did not feel that Aspy's were insulted at all. My only wish for a book 3.
While I do not have Aspergers, I do have depression, ADD and am responding to Graeme's comment that there's a little of Don in us all. We all have some form of damage, emotional or physical or mental disability...the key to embrace that whatever it is and try to find things to laugh about in life. Laughter is the best cure to m most of what life can throw your way. In no way minimizing the pain and struggles of many diseases. My Mom, Ida Kagan, said it best: "Whatever challenges life puts in your way, find a way to laugh. Or just fart."
Personally I loved the way the author presented the struggles people with Asperger's face and he did it in such a positive way, not to mention funny. It's brilliant. It raised my awareness of these conditions and made me laugh and just appreciate all the differences between humans and how to accept them the way they are and not judge them for the way they've been born.Thank you, Graeme! I'm looking forward to reading "The Rosie Effect"!
I read this when working in Mental Health supported accommodation. I can truthfully say I lent it to my workmates and we all agreed we saw some of the same behaviours in various clients of ours. It was such a wonderful and honest portrayal of a variety of mental health conditions.
My kids on the spectrum love the Rosie books! So do I.
