By Adria Nassim June is a very special month for Thomas. On June 16, he turns three years old. Because Thomas is my service dog, a lot of people see me out and about with him throughout the day. Since this is a bit of a celebratory month for him, I thought I would give… Read more »
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Living Life in Two Worlds: My Experience with Invisible Disabilities
By Adria Nassim Other than walking around town in a cable knit sweater and slacks with a mild limp and a service dog, at first glance I look pretty much like the average adult. A lot of people who don’t know me well or who don’t spend an extended time with me don’t realize I… Read more »
What Should I Call You?
By Adria Nassim Recently, a friend—let’s call her Grace—came to me asking for my opinion. Someone on the autism spectrum had told her not to use the phrase “this person has autism,” but instead to refer to them as autistic. She brought to mind an interesting question: What should I call you? Grace asked me… Read more »
Yes, I Can! The Power of Presumed Competence
By Adria Nassim One day, shortly after I began taking classes at Indiana University, I missed my bus. It was cold and snowing, and I wandered around trying to find my way home for quite a while with no hat and my jacket unzipped. Soon I was lost. I pulled out my phone and called… Read more »
Welcome, Thomas!
By Adria Nassim August 13 will always be a special day to me. That was the day I met Thomas. I had driven that morning from Bloomington, Ind. to Indianapolis with my parents to meet him. The staff at the Indiana Canine Assistance Network in Zionsville, Ind., had called a few days earlier saying they… Read more »