Aspergers. I know it’s a bizarre topic for a rant on a food blog, but hear me out – I’ve got a lot to say on the topic!

Recently, I watched a Rick Mercer rant about bullying in schools, especially with regards to gay kids, and teen suicide. It was a powerful rant. During the short video, he made a passionate plea for all gay people in the public eye to come out, and be role models for gay kids. It makes sense – in addition to role models / support for gay kids going through the bullying, it also provides a “normalization” of GLBT people to the general public.

It inspired me – I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be great for there to be more normalization of Aspergers? If there was an “It gets better” type campaign, especially for kids with Aspergers?”. I know I sure could have used some sort of Aspie role model when I was a kid – I didn’t know ANYONE with Aspergers, public or otherwise. I’m sure that lack of reference point contributed greatly to spending a good deal of my childhood wondering if I’d gotten dropped off on the wrong planet.

So, as someone who’s sort of in the public eye, let me help begin such a movement! (more…)