HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU!
For those not subscribed yet there is still time to sign up for the newsletter to get a special thank you from Richard and family. If you sign up before the end of November will also receive access to the first ten chapters of Richard Long’s up and coming young-adult fantasy, The Dream Palace. So go and sign up and your friends know! Those lucky newsletter subscribers already have been introduced to The Dream Palace with Chris and Daisy and a few more to come. Come get a peak into their world with the first ten chapters by signing up and find out what the others have been able to gobble up while getting ready for their own family celebrations.
…Gratitude…Love…Family…
Emma – October 2012
There are so many things I have to be thankful for this year. Obviously, having The Book of Paul published is right up at the top of the list. But as much as that thrills me, something else happened this year that has had a profound effect on our family and perhaps someday, many other families as well. When Emma was diagnosed with autism we thought it was tragedy. Everything we saw or read fueled our fear and anxiety. We spent the next six years trying any and every treatment imaginable in the hope of curing her.
The Dream Palace was initially conceived as a rescue mission, because our lives were all about rescuing Emma from the horrible life that awaited her if we did not succeed in our war on autism. Then Ariane discovered the blogs of adult autistics, and through reading them and having dialogs and the new friendships that developed, our perspective has changed 180 degrees. We don’t think Emma needs to be cured anymore. We don’t want her or NEED her to be “normal”. We discovered that autistic people have many wonderful qualities in such abundance that they outshine us neurotypicals much of the time: Sensitivity. Honesty. Bliss. So for all those autistics who opened up a whole new world for us, we are forever in your debt. Thank you so much and have a wondrous Thanksgiving.
As thankful as I would be for more subscribers, nothing tops the thanks I have in my heart for my family.
Happiest of Thanksgivings from Richard, Ariane, Nic and Emma
(whispering… to those who have gotten to read, one random commenter below, who answers the trivia question will be put into a drawing to receive a really special gift to be announced during the first week of December.)
TRIVIA QUESTION – “What is the name of one of Daisy’s favorite songs to dance to?”
(going to have to be a subscriber to be able to get the answer to the question!)
I have to admit it is 12:30 a.m. where I am right now and as I kept reading about dreaming I wanted to go hop in bed and start the journey. Thank you for sharing, I am certainly looking forward to what happens when they meet up in the dream palace. I am a little puzzled about whether this story is parable about a beautiful little girl who has autism and loves Michael Jackson’s Beat It or if it is a fantasy, but regardless I enjoyed the characters and am looking forward to more. I wish you and your family a lovely Thanksgiving and I am heading off now to my own dream palace 🙂
Hi Denise, thanks so much for your comments. The Dream Palace is definitely a fantasy and a very wild one as the story progresses, lots of cool sci-fi coming in addition to the dream world. Check your email for your gift code and I wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Richard, I just wanted to say that autism isn’t a ‘bad’ thing per se, as I’m glad you’ve come to see. I know it’s terrifying at first – trust me, it took me five years to come to terms with being what I am, and I was an adult at the time. It can take a lot of adjusting to, but as a bipolar/aspie, I can tell you that by the time she’s an adult, with the love and care you’re sure provide, she’ll be a well adjusted, creatively amazing soul who will astound you with every passing year (like all kids DO). Those of us with autism have funny thought patterns though, and we make the absolute BEST artists 😉
Joyous holidays to you (I’m in the UK, though I am raising a toffee nut latte in your direction, in celebration of thanksgiving, ala Starbucks ;))
Hi Kai, thanks so much for your kind thoughts. I have no doubt that Emma will grow in amazing ways (I’m still betting on her becoming a major rock star). It had been so wonderful meeting and connecting with autistic people like you. You have given us a completely new and much needed perspective. The perfect antidote to the “tragedy/deficiency” interpretation of autism that is almost the only thing parents hear when their children are diagnosed. Have a great Thanksgiving and check you email!
Beat it! (also my all-time favorite Michael song)
I’m growing a little tired of it after the 13,867 play, but Emma still loves it! Your free gift codes are on the way!
The Dream Palace sample you shared is so wonderful. I can’t wait to read more!! Autism is such a mystery and it seems to grow as the years go by ( not to be too hippy-dippy,out there, but I do see people w/autism in the category of Indigo Children who i believe are going to experience the world and teach us all in ways we can’t even imagine!). Love your work and all the best to you and yours, karm. Ps: Beat it is one of the best songs of all times!
Hi Karm, thanks so much for your comment. Really glad you enjoyed the excerpt so much. And Emma will be pleased that you share the whole MJ thing in common.