Thank you for your continuing attention to problems faced by people with mental-health issues and the difficulties they and their families face in finding effective treatment (most recently, the story in the April 7 Herald, ”Mental-health treatment void in Colorado”). Advances in neurology and related sciences are leading to improved treatments, those affected are increasingly sharing coping strategies and there is a growing recognition some people with such disabilities can be exceptionally productive members of society. A number of recent books and articles have advanced understanding of autism, for example, and your coverage is a valuable contribution to understanding.
I would like to suggest you cover some Durango-area persons with autism who have overcome their social handicaps and used their special strengths – and these are often striking – to become productive and successful. Many of us are aware of famous examples such as Glenn Gould, Temple Grandin and (probably) Albert Einstein, as well as writers such as Tim Page, Pulitzer-Prize-winning music critic for The New York Times and author of the memoir Parallel Play.
Closer to home, Southwest Colorado Community Connections and the autism support group at Fort Lewis College should be able to provide examples of less well-known but significant successes.
Please cover the sunny side of these folks, whom the label “differently abled” truly fits. Their ability to focus on a problem is unaffected by the cloud of social awareness and concern most of us live in, and they can often see deeper and more clearly than others into complex issues.
We can all benefit from their abilities.
Anne Kernan
Ignacio
