This week’s poem comes from Danny Whitty, a nonspeaking autistic writer, poet, and advocate whose life opened up with Spelling to Communicate. He offers this generous introduction: This poem expresses the deep and unyielding truth: my disability limits me. It is an unflinching message that I and many others reckon with internally, but often feel afraid to share. We are so pressured to be beacons of hope and inspiration, to make others feel better. And for much of my life, I have been told by ignorant educators that I am more limited than I actually am, so I am also reluctant to acknowledge my real limitations.
"Hmmm..." is a fun word to type! I love ellipses too and probably use them way more than I should. I smiled and giglgled a bit when you said that you like to spell profanity, not the word profanity but the actual impolite words. I tried to imagine the first time you spelled a profane word and probably surprised someone. You are so eloquent with your words. I can only imagine the frustration of having to point to each letter. I am glad you have this way to communicate because wow, the wonderful words... letters that come out of you are so profound and beautiful! What a gift you give us. :)
Danny Whitty I understand you so well. Your writing is very eloquent. Greatly thank you for sharing.
Love, Jeremy SK
Love this! It's so relatable
I LOVE this so so much! Danny! It's just brilliant! 💚
I effing love love love this poem :)
I am so in love with this poem. Thank you, Danny!
"Hmmm..." is a fun word to type! I love ellipses too and probably use them way more than I should. I smiled and giglgled a bit when you said that you like to spell profanity, not the word profanity but the actual impolite words. I tried to imagine the first time you spelled a profane word and probably surprised someone. You are so eloquent with your words. I can only imagine the frustration of having to point to each letter. I am glad you have this way to communicate because wow, the wonderful words... letters that come out of you are so profound and beautiful! What a gift you give us. :)