Hi guys. Haven't so much as logged on for a month now, (except for once or twice when I peeked)
So here I am, sitting in student residence at Temple University. Well over thirty years since I've stayed in a universty residence. Apparently now they expect you to wear underwear at least, while wandering around. #^%*&# kids today! Actually, I think it's because the place has some connection with the Baptists.
Anyhoo, I'm here 'til Sunday. Why you may ask? Sometime last fall my kid came across a call for proposals for papers for the Society for Disability Studies (City University of NY) annual conference. So he sent something off on spec. His professer said that was cool, but for an undergrad or non-professional to be accepted would be a bit of a coup. So guess what got accepted! He and a friend of his from U of T SASA (Students with Autism Social Association) wrote a paper on the representation of autism in the popular media as opposed to the lived experience of he and his friends at U of T.
I just checked out the room. He'll be at a podium and a head table for a panel discussion along with his friend, in a big formal looking room.. I can tell you as a parent it feels weird 'cause it feels like just yesterday his mom and I were at his high school all the time advocating with teachers. I'm registered at the conference as an adjunct (basically I'm like a service animal only less appealing) because as a peson with autism he requires certain functional supports, smart as he is. One advantage of autism btw, at least with my kid, is he lacks the social awareness to experience any kind of stage fright. This isn't his first symposium, and he's done media interviews before. He's nervous about all kinds of aspect of the trip such as novel surroundings and disruptions to the routine, but not at all with presenting his paper. As some one who has done some presenting before an audience, I'm envious.
Been here for less than a day, and still in search of a good beer. Phillie is kind of the same as Toronto and kind of not.
