Funkonovo/Allison's autism Blog

These are the times that don't happen very often, at least not on a weekly basis. My sister took me to a recreation center that had paddle boats for rent. We spent three blissful hours going around a lake that used to be a gravel quarry. It was quiet and the sun's power was tempered by giant, puffy pillar clouds. It was peace that both of us needed after having a very stressful week.

Photo Gallery Photography, more than writing alone, helps me to share what my mind is seeing. I see beauty in brokenness. Like an “onion in a petunia patch,” as my mother used to say, any dilapidated, odd or misplaced object has value to me. Dilapidated old barns and blown out windows convey to me that, though they weathered greatly, they are still here and will live on after their demise in my photos. I have had the privilege of sharing my photography with MAAP Services, an Indiana based autism 501(c) 3. Donating my pictures and essays to MAAP  helped both MAAP and me. I have also had my photos published in the Daily Herald Newspaper and online @ Broken Light Photography Collective. "The broken window of opportunity" 2011 "Reaching Toward Heaven" 2012 "Water droplets on leaf" 2014 Next Steps 2016 "The key" 2016 "Sensory overload" 2014 "A family aff...

Taken during a visit to Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois, USA. To me, the empty chairs are the symbol of human connection I wish I could have and the emptiness that is. I can't handle much, but I would like more than I have in my life now. Here is a link to a really awesome and simple free photo editing software site: https://pixlr.com/express/

Before I received an autism diagnosis, certain members of my NT family were fine with making fun of me and calling me names. When I was 19, I was diagnosed with autism. Finally, there was an answer to why I covered my ears during loud noises and rocked almost constantly as well as my lack of eye-contact and slightly strange gait. People treated me differently post diagnosis. I hadn't changed since the diagnosis. I couldn't figure out why I was being shut out. Even people who were neutral toward me who would say "hello" did not. Some people didn't speak to me at all when I made the effort; and minimal socialization   is   an effort for me. This still happens. It happened at my mom's funeral two and a half years ago when I had to see my NT family members. It happened the other day when the NT neighbor came by to speak to my sister with me in the car. I am there , but not there. This might be an autistic point of view, but these people are very...

God works in mysterious ways. You've heard it said many times. Here is one of my experiences of God's faithfulness in my life. Earlier this spring, my used (and very first) DSLR died following an afternoon of shooting in a state park. Cyclops, my Fuji , had been a surprise from my aunt and uncle 2 years ago. It took some of the most clear and crisp images I'd taken to date. I was reviewing images when the viewfinder froze and eventually went black. I have a point-and-shoot with a crack in the lens. It really shows up in low light and on cloudy days. I was thinking, "Oh no. One of my cameras is dead, and the other is singing (or shooting) its swan song. I'm a disabled person on a fixed income. How will I take pictures with a camera that challenges my skill level? I prayed about the loss and my disappointment. I thanked God for Cyclops and the lessons he taught me. I prayed that one day I could own another DSLR, perhaps used and in good condition. Abou...

Going through the motions, making an effort not to give up. Seeing no hue, just many shades of gray.