Let's be real: no trip to get groceries is a lot of fun. When people my age complain about grocery shopping alone, I can't help but roll my eyes. You just don't know until you live it. When I'm not at school I live with my parents and my autistic brother who is three years older than me. Every day challenges exist when living with JJ, as most families with autistic members know. Everything my family does is a bit different from what yours does; this includes grocery shopping. Like I said, you just don't know what you're doing until you start doing it. Think of your inner dialogue when grocery shopping, mine is probably very different than yours.
A little background on my brother: like others on the autism spectrum, he is different. JJ focuses on movie lines, especially Disney movies. Every person on the AS is different and while my brother is verbal, he is lower functioning than some others. This is important to note when trying to understand his capability to communicate and his interactions with others.
1. "I wonder how many people are going to be in there?"
2. "I hope someone he knows is working, that makes him feel better."
3. "He should stay with us, cars don't always stop and I'd hate for him to get hurt."
4. "Where did he go now?"
5. "Did he grab the donuts or was he too distracted to hear me?"
6. "I wish he wouldn't walk away, I worry."
7. "Stop staring at him like that, he's a person too."
8. "Does he know which color box to grab?"
9. "Where is he now?"
10. "Wow, people are such jerks when it comes to people with Autism."
11. "Oh no, there's a box of Frozen cereal. He's going to make me say the thing."
12. "Is he ahead of me or behind me this time?"
13. "People it is not contagious!"
14. "Does he need soda? I should have checked."
15. "I wonder what he's listing, sounds like Disney characters... and other Disney related objects."
16. "Oh no, he's quoting The Swan Princess; I'm not good at this one."
17. "Did he grab his drink already? We don't need to get two."
18. "I need him to grab this for me, but I hate to ask."
19. "What's going on in his head now?"
20. "Okay, we're almost done, this is so much work."
21. "This check-out lady looks nice. I hope she doesn't yell at him."
22. "I wish he was here to lift the sodas for me."
23. "Is he in the bathroom?"
24. "I hope he doesn't get stuck because I can't go in and get him."
25. "Okay, he's said that sentence 12 times now."
26. "I wish people were more sympathetic to him, he can't help it."
I love JJ as much as I would if he wasn't autistic. I know he makes my life different every day but he's also what makes my life interesting. I deal with this on a daily basis and that will forever change how I see others. I am asking of you to be more compassionate when you see differently abled people. They, as well as their care-takers and loved ones, deserve understanding and compassion. You don't know what it's like until you live it, so respect those of us who live it on a daily basis.
