Councillor Darren Fisher of Harbourview-Burnside-Dartmouth East recently caused a controversy which caught my attention on Twitter. Acting on behalf of local residents who had concerns about the number of group homes in their neighbourhood—while admitting he didn’t know specific numbers—Fisher said: “It’d be the same if a small neighbourhood had one convenience store, they’re fine with it. But if there were five convenience stores in the same neighbourhood they might have the same feeling.”
Likening people in need of group housing to convenience stores hurt. That “not in my backyard” mindset still permeates much of society. As my health and neurology change, even worsen, I think about this a lot. I may eventually need a group home—will they be there? Will I be forced from my home and community, where I have a sense of belonging? Separation creates isolation and opportunities for abuse of those already so vulnerable. We need to keep families and communities working together and safe.
I was diagnosed with a migraine and Sensory Processing Disorder before my teens. It was the beginning of a quest to understand what was causing so much chaos in my brain. My childhood had a lot of trauma in it—more than some people, less than others—but that trauma was deeply affecting for me.
When the clash of home life and neurological difficulties became too much I faced being sent to the Girls School in Truro. I was very aware of it, and the Boys School in Shelburne. I have family members who never recovered from what happened to them there.
I ran away from home which resulted in intense outpatient therapy as a last resort. I received an incorrect diagnosis of manic depression, but it got me on the right, though long, path. A path that three years ago finally led to finding out that I’m autistic.
Based on the latest one for every 68 statistic of people being on the autism spectrum we can expect the numbers to be as such: In the Halifax area there are 6,940 autistic people; province-wide 13,853 autistic people. So we’re already your community members and more than that, we are people like everyone else.
It’s disheartening to see the outdated, misguided fears about people like me, who need accommodation and support. This isn’t about thinking we deserve more than others. It’s about basic human compassion. Our society is in desperate need of adult services in all areas of mental health. What message does this send to at-risk youth? Where’s their hope?
I’ve lived in many parts of Nova Scotia during my 4.6 decades. I’ve experienced first-hand what integration, education and acceptance for those not considered neurotypical can be like. It’s amazing.
We all have a story, our own set of hardships or shining human moments. My wish is that those complaining in this Dartmouth community learn this about autistics: many of us want, even crave, the social aspects of the human experience. We just need a bit more time to make connections, and that can start with community support. Picking who gets to stay or go is unacceptable. So let’s try it a different way. The world right now is overcoming things we never dreamed we could. Let acceptance be part of that positive change.
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This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2015.
Brava, Patricia! Well stated.
As the rates of people on the autism spectrum continue to rise, neurotypical society will treat residential integration as the norm, not an anomaly. Educating the public is key, not just about what people on the spectrum require, but rather, who they are. Thank you for this insightful, inspiring, heartfelt piece.
Thank you Oceanchick!
I love the distinction you made about not just educating about our requirements but who we are as people. I’m encouraged to read that. Thank you!
It seems the Coast feels that “independent” and mad at the world should be in the same sentence. This person is obviously a “professional autistic” who chooses to fixate on how they feel the big bad world is out to get us and will not let us be. As a man diagnosed on the autism spectrum, I know we can be different, but it does not help when we blame normal people for our problems and feel they are bad by definition without living in harmony with them. It is obvious she just needs an audience for her opinionated rhetoric.
What is a professional Autistic, Allistar? I am Autistic, period. I am also epileptic. I am also a person that you don’t know. You sure have made a lot of uninformed opinions about me though.
You even became a member here just today to leave your comment. Why the need to treat me this way?
I won’t judge you the same as you have me, for if I did I’d feel tempted to return the negative you’ve dumped on me here. Instead, I wish you well, take care.
Ummm… jamming a bunch of group homes on one street, in one neighborhood is the opposite of this “integration” you speak of, and would actually be segregation by definition. True integration would be group homes, equidistant from each other, in a diverse cross-section of HRM.
You cannot chastise people for being proactive about protecting their investment. Whether you like it or not, homes are a huge investment and, as a homeowner, I have the right to question the city and their property usage designation when it comes to for profit businesses moving into my neighborhood. Period, end of discussion!!!
STEPHEN HARPER IS THE MOTHERFUCKING DEVIL – wow, quite the name, you’re a passionate sort then. Or at least prone to hyperbole. I get that, Harper makes me mad too.
Let’s back up so you have some more info.
The Councillor didn’t, by his own admission even know how many GH’s there are in this area, their purpose, numbers, incidents, nothing. He has the weight only of people who called him. He didn’t even do any research before comparing an excess for certain peoples standards to having too many convenience stores in a small town. No humanity, no education on this Councillors part. I guess some people are okay with that type of thing out of elected officials – I am not.
There’s no chastising. I am creating a space for a conversation. Please do not misinterpret my intent. I am a homeowner, pay taxes too. I am also facing the possibility of not being able to stay here as was the intent when it was built 23 years ago. Before my health issues took serious and deadly turns. I live in the country, close to a type of group home which is an amazing success within our community. Maybe it will fill my needs when the time comes and I can stay close to my support and community. While I am still cognisant enough however, it is important that I advocate for my future and people like me. I was in a coma 3 years ago and given a 50/50 chance of even waking up. So I am using this second chance.
For me this is about people, for others is about an investment. There’s nothing to invest in without people. Try not paying your property tax and see what happens to your investment.
Not end of discussion. Take care.
Excellent article!!