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Jodied75
Member
08-26-2004
| Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 11:03 pm
I agree. I am severely hearing impaired, and I could get by without telling anyone, but then I would feel very uncomfortable and I would make other people uncomfortable if they didn't know what was going on - why I might say something odd, or require more patience from people and ask them to repeat themselves more times than what might seem normal. It's not playing a card - it's explaining to people the reasons for which you act differently, and to make people feel more comfortable.
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Meggieprice
Member
07-09-2001
| Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 11:23 pm
I feel that Heather would of course tell about Aspergers as she could be considered standoffish and odd and that could weigh against her. Believe me, I expect she would trade any advantage her disability may give her when people know about it for living a life with the things it has cost her.
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 12:58 am
she could be considered standoffish and odd MEEEEeeeee too!
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Spunky
Member
10-08-2001
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 9:03 am
When I look at Heather's performances, shoots and catwalk I always fear some kind of breakdown when pressure becomes too much for someone with that kind of disability. So far she had a lot of support from the others and the judges but I suspect later on something will shake her and it won't be pretty to see her break down. I hope it will not come to that but we've seen other girls with no such disability break down and be really miserable. I think she will need a lot of encouragement from the judges to be able to avoid such breakdown. Her photographs are not a problem, it's the other competitions, like catwalk and especially the one where they have to meet the designers within a limited timeframe and finding their way to their place. That will be tough because they're usually on their own and she will have to be interactive with the local community to get some assistance with directions. It will be interesting to see her evolve and hopefully she will remain this brave and make it far. But she draws attention to the show for many like me who want to observe her behaviour and want to see if such disability could be overcome in the tough world of fashion modeling. About Jaslene, I do agree with the one who said she sounds like those who are hearing impaired, however, she does not sound like that when she speaks her native Spanish. As for the makeup artists, I think they're the real winners, I'm amazed at their talent. Can't wait to see the makeover and just hope they won't cut Heather's hair. Jay's look is becoming cliche' and dated. I'm surprised he still didn't change it, I know he's dying to change it but for some reason he's stuck with it.
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Stacey718995
Member
07-06-2007
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 10:21 am
I have a degree in Autism/Asperger/PPD. I applaud Heather a million times over. I disagree that she is playing any type of disability card. The thought that someone shares their disability, something that effects every aspect of their life means they are playing a card is half of what is wrong with our society's views about disability. I work with these students every day, we do not teach them to hide their disability EVER. We teach them to go out and embrace the world as it is for them. The fact that this young lady can go out and join a show like this and stand up and share her life is an incredible feat. One that should be applauded and used as an example. We have had open discussions about Heather in my class rooms. It has been interesting and fun. The teacher in me, my heart jumps a little every show, as I feel like I am observing one of my kiddos on a job site. I was so proud of her calling her mother and more proud of how her mother handled it. I have to say I am really worried about the make over deal. Transitions and change are not easy at all.
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Meggieprice
Member
07-09-2001
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 12:38 pm
Yes Stacey and in addition it is important for it to be known to the audience so that others with Aspergers can see her success and know their own potential. I am rooting for her for sure!
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 2:31 pm
mild.....a mild case didnt she say? Not diagnosed until around 12 yrs old? anyways, My point is that it is possible to have a mild disability that only MILDLY affects your life. Like a mild hearing disability, or a mild physical disability(which I've had my whole life yet still was great in Track n field- no one said OH she is good INSPITE of her disability because I never told anyone) I would imagine a doctor would have had to clear her joining onto the show. If they know she can do it, I think we can be assured she is mildly effected enough for it not to be a problem. With Heather's Looks, I can imagine she has had plenty of experience with jealous girls from school. I think she'll be able to handle it just fine. Just my opinion.
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Jodied75
Member
08-26-2004
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 2:50 pm
She said Aspberger's was a mild form of Autism. It is a disorder that would still affect her behaviour, mannerisms and the way she perceives people and people perceive her. It's like Tyra pointed out, people with Aspberger's often have difficulty meeting people's eyes. More help from you Stacey? thanks for your input!
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Jodied75
Member
08-26-2004
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 3:01 pm
here's something from Wiki: Social interaction The lack of demonstrated empathy is possibly the most dysfunctional aspect of AS.[2] Individuals with AS experience difficulties in basic elements of social interaction, which may include a failure to develop friendships or enjoy spontaneous interests or achievements with others, a lack of social or emotional reciprocity, and impaired nonverbal behaviors such as eye contact, facial expression, posture, and gesture.[1] Unlike those with autism, people with AS are not usually withdrawn around others; they approach others, even if awkwardly, for example by engaging in a one-sided, long-winded speech about an unusual topic while being oblivious to the listener's feelings or reactions, such as signs of boredom or wanting to leave.[3] This social awkwardness has been called "active, but odd".[1] This failure to react appropriately to social interaction may appear as disregard for other people's feelings, and may come across as insensitive. The cognitive ability of children with AS often lets them articulate social norms in a laboratory context,[1] where they may be able to show a theoretical understanding of other people’s emotions; however, they typically have difficulty acting on this knowledge in fluid real-life situations.[3] People with AS may analyze and distill their observation of social interaction into rigid behavioral guidelines and apply these rules in awkward ways—such as forced eye contact—resulting in demeanor that appears rigid or socially naïve. Childhood desires for companionship can be numbed through a history of failed social encounters.[1]
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Stacey718995
Member
07-06-2007
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 3:29 pm
No doctor needs to clear something that you do with Aspergers. Mild aspergers is not the same thing as having a mild vision issue. Even mildly it is very much obvious that you are different to the world. But, the world is not as accepting of mental differences as they are physical ones. I don't think that she shares it to get sympathy at all, I don't think she should be made to feel that she should hide it or that she is playing the disability card. She is embracing her disability as she should and trying to achieve something she is interested in. Aspergers is not the same as a having a physical disability, in fact where as many people can physically see what your disability is they are more likely to accept you or at least find an understanding to you. With Apsergers the majority of the kids come across as snobbish, weird, socially inept and it doesn't gain sympathy from anyone. Those girls are not jealous of her, they are calling it like they see it, they call her "weird" I would personally rather have someone jealous of me than hate me for being different. Heather and others with aspergers understand that the world sees them as weird but don't get why, wheather it is a mild case or severe. This is why we teach them to share, not to get sympathy or attacks on why they share, but to make people see they are not just "being weird" they are not doing something to be a snob or mean, they have a disability that doesn't allow them to socialize in the same way. It isn't so people will say "inspite of" it is so people can understand and not sit around a pool and call her names. If someone saw a girl that had a missing arm, they are not as likely to make fun of this girl as that would socially not be acceptable. But, our society finds it acceptable to tease a girl that is different socially. If we put it out there that they have a disability it is to make it socially unacceptable to tease this person not to gain any sympathy. Asperger kids are very misunderstood and have a continuing struggle finding their way into society. Many are with out friends. As children they come across as quirky even bratty or spoiled, by teenagers as different and weird and from there they must make their place in the world. Mild cases can sometimes find more success at making that place but it doesn't mean that they have it easy. I am not trying to be argumentative at all and everyone is allowed their opinion. I advocate for these kids 24/7 in my daily life. Aspergers is so misunderstood in the world. There are still people that think "it is misdiagnosed and it is just an excuse for a kid to be snobby" Aspergers is so new to our society because we are now teaching our kids to embrace their world and not hide away. It is a good thing. I have worked with these kids for years through all kinds of struggles. My best friend's three year old son was just diagnosed this past month. To see it all through the eyes of a parent is a whole other world. I guarantee you that though she has a three year old son, seeing someone as Heather do something so out there and social is a great feeling of hope.
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 3:35 pm
.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 3:44 pm
she will be living with these girls for weeks, if I was one of them I would be happy she told me. she never asked for any special treatment, just told them. It would be like me telling them I had fibro ( you cant SEE I have it but it affects me) I wouldnt be telling them for sympathy, just letting them know why sometimes I am a certain way.
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 3:50 pm
if you had fibro where you were scowling and grimacing in pain, of course you would tell them. It would affect the competition and what you could do in the house, such as not doing vacuuming due to the type of movement. I'm saying what Heather has does Not affect anything except how chatty she is or isnt (social interactions) so what, I say. There are many shy quiet people who dont like to make eyecontact out there in the world. I deleted my above post since I divelged personal info about myself. I MAY find out about how Aspergers is PROVEN. how the Diagnosis is obtained. how the condition is formed. From what I understand most kids are diagnosed at around 3. Stacey...do you have a good link for Accurate Info as to Aspergers since it is soemthing you work with??
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Stacey718995
Member
07-06-2007
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 4:13 pm
Sunshyne the best thing that can happen from all of this is that people that did not have an understanding of this disability are made aware of it. The diagnosis is so different for each child, for one Aspergers has been misdiagnosed for years. Many that are diagnosed at later times is not because it wasn't there prior to age 12 it was more than likely misdiagnosed during that time. A lot of time as ADHD, sometimes as depression and often as autism or borderline autism. We are seeing the diagnosis more now. It would be great for you to read about it on your own, and I certainly was not trying to be argumentative I just am constantly trying to get people to understand. If I can help in any way please let me know. It truly is a misunderstood disability and in fairness it is great to see Heather pubilically address her issues but, they are presenting her more as a loner or shy. Most of my kiddos are not shy. They are constantly inappropriately butting into conversations. Laughing at people inappropriately, they do things that make them stand out but, don't recognize that they are making themselves stand out. I am guessing that Heather gets a bit of a good edit on some of that stuff, it isn't about just being "shy" I love mayo's information: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551 http://www.percyhedley.org.uk/info/asdandaspergers.asp http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk/faq.htm Again, I would be happy to answer or help with any questions or understanding if I can. You are not alone in your thinking and I don't want to single you out. Many many people are new to Aspergers and there is way more to than what is presented on ANTM.
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Bombaycat
Member
07-21-2007
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 4:34 pm
Stacey - Thank you for providing the links. My best friend's 13 year old son suffers from Aspergers and was diagnosed when he was in kindergarden. His social skills are lacking and he loses focus in school if it's a subject that doesn't interest him. She has retained a child advocate and is constantly having conferences with the teachers and principals educating them on the situation. He is extremely intelligent and when working on a project he enjoys he is totally focused. It has been a roller coaster - on meds/off meds and a series of therapists.
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Jodied75
Member
08-26-2004
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 5:14 pm
I have many physical disabilities and one of the hardest things to deal with in my day-to-day life is not my hearing impairment, but my lupus. And it actually does affect my brain in some ways, as I get episodes of confusion and memory loss. One of the most difficult parts of having lupus is convincing people that I am not using it as an excuse. There are some days where I literally cannot get out of bed - I can't make myself sit up, let alone stand up. Other times I go through the day looking completely "unkempt" because I had such bad joint pain that morning that I couldn't even hold a brush. The time and effort to educate people on the facts of lupus (it really is endless explaining) makes it much easier to live with, because people know what's going on. Some don't believe me that it can be that bad, and I'm playing a "card" to get out of doing things. It is so frustrating. I'm trying my best, but nevertheless I feel so much guilt sometimes, like I'm really letting people down. I love the Mayo website too - for me it's how well they explain lupus. And Stacey, people like you - advocates of people with disabilities - have meant the world to me. You are a great person.
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Stacey718995
Member
07-06-2007
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 5:33 pm
Thank you, it has been my passion since I was a child and my aunt with SEVERE cerebral palsey would have my mom put me on her hospital bed so she could tell everyone I was HER baby. More of a passion when my sister was diagnosed with dyslexia. The one thing I am shocked about is that there have not been some parents of Asperger's on this thread. My only reasoning that they are just not watching this show. I find it hard to believe that a board of this many doesn't have some Asperger parents. I have read the books, wrote the papers and lived my life 9 months of the year 7-3 with all types of disabilities but it is the parents with the real information. I have had my eyes opened all over the place with my friends son. My heart goes out to you Jodie, lupus is tough and there are just days you don't feel like defending it. Keep your spirits up when you can there are good days. To get this thread back to the show and somewhat relate the topic. My stomach is a wreck over they are going to cut Heather's hair this week. Major sudden change can be panic inducing. Hell, we have seen what the make overs do to the general population of girls!!! And though I applaud Heather, my bigger beef that I should be fighting equally hard for is the plus size model size. I am surprise Tyra doesn't make a bigger fight about that herself.
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Dolphinschild
Member
06-22-2006
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 5:54 pm
Just in case it wasn't read in an earlier post, I didn't proof read my post and I left out the NOT/isn't when I mentioned about Heather and her disability. I did correct it when Jodied brought to my attention by asking if that is what I meant, that Heather does NOT use the disability card. I am really proud of her. I am disabled as well and even though my disabilities are not visible they effect me daily too. I have arthritis, I have IBS, and migraines, but I have all these issues because of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). I went untreated for 18 years and it has consumed my life and took over and dropped me to my knees a few years back. Because of my PTSD, I am always tested for Lupis, Lyme disease and Diabetis, because my body acts like them all. I have short term memory issues and sometimes literally I can't tell someone my own name when my brain shuts down. The greater the pressure or stressful situations, the more my body and mind shuts down. I don't tell everyone about my issues/disabilities, but I do when necessary. I don't want to meet someone and define myself as being broken or less then what I am. But in time when necessary, I do tell them I have these problems and people understand me better and are quite patient, tolerant and understanding. I am glad Heather told everyone. Sharing on the tv educates people, plus gives the oppertunity for people to practice their patients, tolerance, understanding and compassion. Bianca needs that lesson the most. In spite of a competition, one can't forget their humanity, humility, being humble, and most of all compassion for others whether they are disabled or not. I agree that there are many girls who crumble under the pressure that aren't disabled. Heather might not crumble as some people might expect her too, because of her condition and with the support of her mother over the years and on the phone. It is possable that Heather has built coping skills that other girls might not have ever learned. It will depend on how she learned to deal from her family support system and the education/teacher support system etc. Also Heather might have a strength, because of these skills which could have desensatized her from the scrutiny. WE are all suseptable, but some has more coping skills and some are more desensitized then others. Those who broke down, might not have ever had to deal with high stress situations or survived a trauma. They might have been pretty sheltered from life in a sense, which enables them from having coping skills.
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Dovez
Member
08-27-2005
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 9:46 pm
oh {{{{dolphin}}}}...i have a form of ptsd, too. mine is from a surgical accident. and i have lupus, jodied, so i understand your frustrations. i've lost friends who couldn't/wouldn't believe that i sometimes just couldn't deal with the world while dealing with the symptoms. those so-called friends probably weren't friends in the true sense of the word.
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Dolphinschild
Member
06-22-2006
| Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 11:37 pm
Hugs Dovez. I am PTSD from my military service in the Navy. I receive 100% disability compensation through the VA for it. I am fortunate to have friends that do understand, but I have met many people who don't believe there is anything wrong with me. I feel it is their problem and makes them ignorant, so I don't let it get to me. The friends you lost, they probably weren't true friends after all. I hope your doing well with yours. I do understand. Hugs again...
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Monday, October 08, 2007 - 12:17 am
I have PTSD but have NOT been formally diagnosed with it. Like a couple of you guys, I too have Other medical issues that all have the same kind of general symptoms. Jodied Other times I go through the day looking completely "unkempt" because I had such bad joint pain that morning that I couldn't even hold a brush. My issue which disgusts me intensely, is not being able to clean myself (take a shower or wash hair) due to pain and unsteadiness. It is really hard to go out into public for shopping or appts when Dirty with greasy hair after not showering for three or four days. thank god for my Hat collection LOL anyways, i'm off topic like crazy LOL
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, October 08, 2007 - 5:19 am
my 18 year old nephew has aspergers. he does not understand boundaries and often times can not filter his thoughts and says inappropriate things. we have to remember how catty those women get in the house, ready to jump on someone for 'perceived' injustices. if my nephew were to be living in that house, many of his actions could easly be attacked by one of those witchy gals.
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Roteach
Member
06-01-2003
| Monday, October 08, 2007 - 7:45 am
Stacey, thanks for putting out the excellent info on Asperger's. I was just at a wonderful two-day conference in Boston. The speakers were Tony Atwood (one of the gurus of Asperger's Syndrome) and Carol Gray, the grande dame of social stories. They had the most wonderful art show there. The art was done by adolescents and I think adults who are on the spectrum. The art was gallery quality. I am glad that Heather is an artist because she *is* cognizant of the fact that eyes need to look alive and not flat. She recognizes that her face also needs to reflect her emotions. As someone stated, Heather will use her time in the house to learn, not just about modeling, but also about interacting with people and about life in general. I say "Go Heather"!
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Alisons
Member
01-10-2003
| Monday, October 08, 2007 - 8:48 am
I am uncomfortable with the idea that people need to "hide" their disabilities or be tagged with the idea that they are "playing the sympathy card."
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Monday, October 08, 2007 - 9:26 am
ITA!
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