Correspondence
Hello again Ben, Thank you for getting back to me. I’m delighted to hear from you and excited to share some of my work with you for publishing! I have a poem in mind that I think others could relate to, especially those who have experienced a late diagnosis of autism like me. It is quite a powerful piece emotionally. It's about being and feeling misunderstood and feeling "wrong" inside my own body. The differences that make me who I am as a person with what we now know was my autism! Who I was, who I am, being constantly 'washed away' by a person in my life, who didn't take the time to get to understand me. My mother - a person who should have shown unconditional love for me, but just wasn't able to. The desire she had to change every little bit of me, instead of loving my differences. Therefore, causing huge amounts of childhood trauma. Now I am an adult, armed with my diagnosis, I have felt liberated knowing that there wasn't anything "wrong" with me. Now I'm healing, unmasking and accepting myself and I wish she could see me. Do you think this would be a piece I could submit (and how do I go about doing this)? I'm really excited to be getting involved with the work that you're doing to showcase work from the neurodivergent community. Thank you for the opportunity. Sarah Jones writes at 'Actually Asperger's' about her experiences as a woman with autism; neurodivergent topics and poems.
Sarah Jones: Sarah writes at 'Actually Asperger's' about her experiences as a woman with autism; neurodivergent topics and poems.
Hey Ben! It sounds like a wonderful project, but I am totally overwhelmed with writing assignments and requests through the spring at least. I'm so sorry -- I wish you the best of luck! Steve"
Steve Silberman: Author, NeuroTribes, Author's page
"Hi Ben, Thanks for your note. I like your take on neurodiversity (e.g. use of the term ‘’mutant’’ is good since there are gene mutations involved). As I was reading your note and your magazine, I kept wondering where I fit in. I have a mood disorder – (uni-polar depression) and have had five debilitating episodes of major depression in my life lasting from a month or so to sixteen months. Mood disorders rarely get mentioned in conversations about neurodiversity. Fifty years ago there was a real stigma to having a mood disorder. My father had a mood disorder and didn’t work for 17 years as a result of his disability, and I remember feeling ashamed about it and how I didn’t want anyone to know. I remember when one of my ‘’friends’’ asked me point blank: ‘’Is your dad mentally ill?’’ and I was so ashamed that I denied it and gave other excuses for his not working. But nowadays we’re much more tolerant about people with bipolar or depression. I have no qualms about telling people that I have depression and take four psychoactive medications for it. I think this is for two reasons, one, so many people have it. and two, there’s been a lot of education about it in the news and celebrities often talk about their experiences of it), Anyway, I just felt inspired to share these thoughts."
Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.: Author of If Einstein Ran the Schools, Books by Dr. Armstrong
Dude sorry for my late response I’ve been on a 4 month book tour (Normal Sucks) and am traveling in the Middle East until the new year. This mag is super rad and I would be honored to contribute when I get back if it’s not to late Cheers Jm
Jonathan Mooney: Author of "Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn, and Thrive Outside the Lines", Mooney's page
Hi Ben. I was offline over the holiday season, but wanted to acknowledge your email. I've just had a quick look at your new project - well done! I am delighted you reached out, and would be proud to be among the "friends" of the magazine. What info/materials would you like me to send along for my listing? Also, after a more fulsome review of the magazine, I'll see if I can share a piece of writing with you to help build the site's offerings. Again, congratulations and all the best for your new venture. Cheers, Zoë Kessler Author, ADHD According to Zoë, New Harbinger Publications www.zoekessler.com
Zoë Kessler: Author, ADHD According to Zoë, New Harbinger Publications www.zoekessler.com twitter: @ChickADD44,
Hello Ben, Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, I do not write anymore as I am an editor at the Washington Post. But when my book comes out, I will send it to you. Thank you. Sincerely, Eric
Eric Garcia: Author, Covering the Politics of Neurodiversity: And Myself
