Coco and I had a very interesting conversation tonight. I am sharing it with her permission. Some press came out today about amazing developments in Rett Syndrome research.  Scientists are extremely close to gene replacement clinical trials. I asked Coco what she thought of this.  I also asked her why she doesn’t identify herself as a Rett girl.  She continues to call herself an autistic.  Not a girl with autism, but an autistic.  This may not sound very PC but I allow her to be the authority on what she chooses to label herself.

A MENTALITY OF DISABILITY IS WHAT GIVES RISE TO LABELS.  ALTHOUGH I AM ATYPICAL FOR RETT ALSO AM I ATYPICAL FOR AUTISM.  DISABILITY IS A STATE OF MIND.  DONT PRESUME TO KNOW THE INNER WORKINGS OF ANYONE YOU MEET.  I AM ME.  I AM SUPER AWFUL AT CONTROLLING MY BODY.  BUT I AM SUPER GOOD AT LOTS OF STUFF.  EVERYONE HAS ABILITIES AND DISABILITIES.  YOU CANT SUM ANYONE UP WITH A LABEL.  AUTISM CAN MEAN A NUMBER OF THINGS AND I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH OTHER AUTISTICS.  CAN I CALL MYSELF THAT?

Yes Coco

OK.  DAD JUST BELIEVES IM AN ALIEN FROM OUTER SPACE.  EVERYONE ASSUMES WHAT THEY WANT.

I don’t think Dad really thinks you’re an alien.

EAGER TO APPLY MY ABILITIES FOR DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD.  DONT BOX ME IN

Ok Coco.