Hi all you may have noticed over the past few months I have been talking a lot about Calum Courtney, the very talented 10 year old autistic singer from the U.K. Last night I heard he had made it onto Britain’s Got talent and after watching his performance felt a sense of pride. He actually got a full standing ovation and received the loudest applause I have ever heard for his amazing performance. I don’t know about you, however, I can’t wait to hear how he goes in the next round. If like me you were unable to watch the performance live you can find it on youtube at the following link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-uBxwLlZac&feature=youtu.be
Good luck Calum from all of us here
Bryce Pace
Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker
Two years ago today, I wrote a Facebook post revealing a secret I had been hiding for four years. Since that day I have dedicated my time to advocating for a more accepting and inclusive world for people on the autism spectrum. Today we celebrate two years since the post that started this all, two years of giving hope to young people on the spectrum and their families. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support and I would especially like to thank the Victorian Student Representative Council, YDAS and YacVic Rural for your continued support and guidance. To mark this special occasion, I have decided to repost the post that started this journey two years ago today, I hope you enjoy.
posted on April 10th, 2016 (unedited for authenticity)
In the past couple of years I have heard people use autism as an insult and I have seen people take selfies of themselves pulling silly faces saying they have autism or have captions such as “the autistic boys” I would like to say something about these people they do not know what autism is if they are mocking it like this. There are Autistic people all over the place they are just ordinary people with as some people describe it super powers. There are people who have autism and they walk past you every day and some even talk to you. I would like to ask a question and I want everyone to think about this. What is wrong with having autism? I would like to end this post with telling you a secret that I don’t tell many people as I am constantly worrying about what they are going to think of me if I tell them and I am sick of hiding who I am. I am autistic and I am proud to be as it gives me “super powers” I can smell fish and chips from a mile away and I can hear things most don’t know exist. Autism is not a disease nor is it contagious and it doesn’t mean I can’t go to school and do the same work everybody else does it doesn’t mean I can’t be who I want to be. I can be whatever I want. I constantly hear people use the question “are you autistic?” as an insult I have even being asked that question and I will answer that now yes I am autistic does anybody have a problem with that?
If you made it to the end of this post and still are willing to be friends with me then you are my true friends. I don’t want to be treated any different because I am autistic just remember that every post you make that makes fun of autism hurts somebody and that post is permanently on the internet like a tattoo is on your skin.
Thanks for reading
Bryce Pace
I would like to finish by inviting you all if you are interested in helping me create a more accepting and inclusive world to head to www.brycepaceautismadvocate.com/donate and help fund my future projects.
Thanks for your continued support and I look forward to working with you for many more years.
Bryce Pace
Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker
Hi everyone and once again Happy World Autism Awareness Day, I hope your day has been great so far. For those of you who unfortunately could not watch the Spectrospective film on the big screen, you can watch the full film and everyone’s individual video submission by heading to: http://spectrospective.com.au/video-gallery/
You can also view my full video submission to Spectrospective by heading to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4XQ8M4JaGU
Today is a day of Celebration for the autism community, it is the day where we show the world our strength and our pride in being different. On this day 11 years ago, the United Nations designated April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day, however, today should not just be about raising awareness of autism, it should also be about a celebration of being different and raising acceptance. It should be a day where we can walk the streets proud of being on the spectrum. So, let’s do just that; let’s walk the streets and let people know that we are autistic and proud, that we are not sick or disabled, that we just have different abilities and are just like everyone else with a few quirks added into the mix. Today is our day so let’s get together and celebrate being unique and not part of the boring neurotypical community. There are many celebrations on today, and I encourage you to participate in an event near you whether that be a walk, by attending a sensory friendly screening of the Spectrospective film at a village cinema or just catching up with friends. Today is World Autism Awareness Day so let’s celebrate being different and let people know that we are autistic and proud.
Happy Autism Awareness Day
Bryce Pace
Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker
Autism; what comes to your mind when you see this word? Disability, disadvantaged or someone without a voice? I don’t know about you however, none of these words come to mind when I see or hear the word autism. April is world autism awareness month which should be a time of celebration, a time where we should not be afraid to tell people that we are on the autism spectrum, however I know for a fact that this will not be the case for many. The stigma that surrounds the autism community is what prevents us as a community to live a normal, happy and safe life. This same stigma is the reason the majority of us on the autism spectrum have hidden our diagnosis from educators, employers and even our closest of friend’s. This stigma is the reason I and many others speak up and tell our stories as we have had enough.
This month let’s celebrate being different and show the world that we are no longer afraid of this stigma that has controlled our lives for too long. Let’s celebrate by gathering together and participating in one or more of the many events being held this month and show the world what it truly means to be autistic.
Happy Autism Awareness Month
Bryce Pace
Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker
