Gottfried, Ted. Censorship. United States: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark. 2006. Print.
In this writing, Gottfried doesn’t go about expressing opinions instead he presents many different examples and positions on the topic of censorship, and lets the reader come to their own conclusions. Even though the writing is on a high school level, it clearly demonstrates the many different aspects of censorship.
Orwell, George. 1984. United States: New American Library, 1949. Print.
Classic George Orwell novel in which the main character, Winston Smith, who works for the Ministry of Truth, job is to continually revise historical records in order to show that “The Party” is always correct and all-knowing. The definitive story of power, censorship, and the rewriting of history.
Page, Benedicte, “New Huckleberry Finn Edition Censors ‘N-Word’.” guardian.com.uk. 5 Jan. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.
Informative article covering both a summary of Dr. Gribben’s plan to republish “The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn” and Mark Twain’s motives for his style of writing and the actual contributions he made to fight racism and support groups such as the NAACP.
Ravitch, Diane. The Language Police. United States: Vintage Books, 2003. Print.
Diane Ravitch was appointed to the National Assesment Governing Board in 1998, by the President Bill Clinton. Here she writes an in-depth assessment on not only personal dealings with censorship, but on how censorship affects textbooks, literary works, and history books. Ravitch also discusses how the writers and editors of American textbooks are “forced” to avoided such a wide array of topics that many of the textbooks used today are disconnected from the real world.
Schroeder, Theodore. Obscene Literature and Constitutional Law. New York: Privately Printed, 1911. Print.
Even though this book was written in the early part of the 20th century, it details some of the attempts to ban books and other written works based on, at the time, loose definitions of the word “obscene”. Detailed discussions of the processes of putting laws in place concerning obscenity while staying within the guidelines of the Constitution.
Thomas, Stan, “The Best and Worst of Times To Use The N-Word.” ourweekly.com. 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2011
An article outlining some of the responses to the republishing of Huckleberry Finn. These responses are from professors, cultural commentators, and writers are varied and address both the pros and cons of rewriting literary works.
Conachy, James. “Japanese History Textbook Provokes Sharp Controversy.” World Socialist Web Site. 7 June 2001. Web. 4 May 2011.
Discusses the decision in Japan to remove all negative connotations of Japanese people and soldiers during the 20th century. It talks about the attempt to sanitize the militias role in the Korean conflict and the invasion of China.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Behind Enemy Lines
I consider myself the typical male, especially when it comes to clothes shopping. I tend to find what I need, make sure it fits, and I am out the door. Quite often, I venture out on shopping expeditions with my wife. On one of those trips I encountered a store that amazes me so much that I decided to step outside of my comfort zone, and write my essay on it, that store is Anthropologie. Anthropologie by all definition is a women’s clothing store, that has very astutely followed some of the scientific formulas outlined in Malcolm Gladwell’s article “The Science of Shopping.” This article discusses the scientific selling techniques developed by Paco Underhill, an expert on consumer buying trends. Anthropologie follows some of these approaches to attract one of the largest groups of spending customers; the late twenties to early forties American female.
Anthropologie is located in a fairly new shopping center with a majority of high-end stores that target female shoppers. Approaching the store and focusing on the front of the building, I can already tell it is not like the rest of the stores in the plaza. The foyer has an archway of weathered planks surrounding the enormous glass doors in the center of the foyer. The doors are oversized and each have handles that are made of tree branches. On either side of the entrance there are windows with eye-catching displays that are far from the everyday window dressing that I am accustomed to seeing. Both of the display windows are visible from across the parking lot, and immediately demand my attention. The positioning of both windows allows an unobstructed view from most anywhere in the general vicinity. This positioning gives potential customers time to slow down and take in the visuals presented in the windows. According to Paco Underhill, the faster people walk the more their peripheral vision narrows, and that the human down shift speed takes anywhere from twelve to twenty-five feet (Gladwell 1). This means that if a stores display windows are not visible or prominent, the average person will speedily walk right past the store. The presence of the windows here give people adequate time to achieve this and take in what they have to offer. The window on the left features a headless and armless mannequin in a stunning, single strapped, peach evening gown. At the waist, draped on top of the gown is a white piece of fabric that resembles the snowflakes that children cut out of paper at Christmas time. Both fabrics drop to the floor, fold towards the back, and then upwards towards the ceiling. The fabrics rise upwards about ten feet into the air where they are secured by five oversized clothespins that have been hung from the rafters of the building. The window dressing on the other side has an exhibit that has almost the same surreal charm about it . Mounted on a wall of time-worn, horizontal boards are thirty-five large yarn spools. The yarn on the spools is thick and you can see the fibers sticking out of it. Multiple colors of yarn, such as apricot, copper, tan, yellow, and white, flow off of each spool down to the ground. The yarn from each spool lands in a puddle atop an antique sewing machine that sits in the corner with bunches of similarly colored fabric piled around it. Both of these visuals achieve exactly what a good display window should do; peak my curiosity, and draw me in, because now I yearn to see what is on the other side of those doors.
The moment I step through the entrance I am transported to another place and time. I get the feeling that I am getting a glimpse of some secret world that males aren’t permitted to witness. The first thing that grabs my attention is a dilapidated mining cart on the left. A very peculiar item to see anywhere, especially in a women’s clothing store. Beyond the cart, multiple images inundate the senses all at once. There is a distinct aroma of cherry blossoms in the air, and the relaxing sounds of cool jazz ripples through the shop. This helps to lull the shopper into a relaxed state of mind. The visuals that are presented in this boutique make the outside world melt away. Directly in front, the scene looks as if I have just stepped into a home in 19th century France. The walls are made to look like the plaster is old and worn. They are cracking and some sections are missing. There is a large table up against the far wall that appears to be made out of an old barn door. Alongside the table, a love seat that is exploding with color. All around the area there are knickknacks, old books, and other curios that beg to be examined. Over to left, I can see as patrons are drawn to strips of pastel colored fabric draped from the ceiling. It is an awning made of fabric that pulls the shopper into what is the housewares section of your typical department store. Typical is not the word I would use here at all. The center point of this area is a round, black, wrought iron table and chairs. Odd and uniquely shaped dinnerware is placed about the table. A little farther down I notice a shelving unit that has a dozen little cubbies that hold bedding, antique radios and surrounded by paper-mache sculptures of wild animal heads. Around the corner, white flowers made of paper creep up the wall and then make their way across the ceiling. All of this creates an ambience of another world and makes for a wonderful shopping atmosphere. Donna Karan states that she never wants customers to think that they are walking into a clothing store. She says, “ I want them to think that they are walking into an environment, that I am transforming them out of their lives and into an experience” (Gladwell 11). Anthropologie achieves that without question by the decor of their store. By far, one of the quirkiest store designs I have ever witnessed.
Anthropologie is designed to capture the buying dollar of the woman who is sophisticated, fashionable, and unique. The type of woman who has her own personality and wants to stand out a bit from the crowd, but is not looking for a neon sign to announce her existence. Even though it is a chain store it is not a cookie cutter mall retail shop.The store is distinctive and creates a definitive shopping experience that draws the shopper through the store with it’s assortment of fashion, housewares, and whimsy. The objects that can be encountered are mildly eccentric and somewhat surprising, but seem to appeal to the women as they make their way through the store. are brass giraffe candle holders, bins full of exotic drawer knobs, chunky jewelry, and even garden markers made from antique spoons and forks. In addition there are countless books scattered throughout the store. They are not in a book section, but placed on tables, and various nooks and crannies throughout the store. Books about vintage cocktails, scrap booking, dogs, and Audrey Hepburn; almost any subject that one would think might be of interest to women. They are like kids in a candy store, except that this is a place for them. I hear two women talking as they say, “I think this blouse would go perfectly with that skirt” and “I know those bowls would look delightful in my kitchen”, as they make their way through the spacious aisles. None of the areas of the store are crammed or tight. There is plenty of room to browse the wares for sale here. This idea of spacious paths through the store applies Paco Underhill’s “retailing commandment: a women’s product that requires extensive examination should never be placed in a narrow aisle” (Gladwell 3).
Skillfully displayed amongst all of this is the primary focus of the store, the clothes. The clothes are deftly placed on the table and shelves through out room, hanging on hangers, or displayed on the curious looking mannequins. All of the clothing seems to call to the female customers to touch it. The apparel is colorful and richly textured. The sheer silks, the softness of the fleeces, and the warmth of the wools all create the sensation of coziness and comfort. Pants, sweaters, blouses, hats, and scarves all with a bohemian flair to them are served up in a novel way that sparks even my interest. Gladwell discusses in his article about “the increasingly critical role played by touching or, as Paco calls it petting, clothes in the course of making the decision to buy them” (Gladwell 4). Anthopologie plays on this theory extremely well in the way they present their products to their customers. The clothing that is on hangers is hung so that it is easily accessible. These items are not crammed tightly on a rack, but in small numbers, so shoppers can easily browse through all of the items without having to constantly push items aside. This interaction between the clothing and shopper creates a sort of dance as the women mingle with the clothing. This interaction is even more visible in “The Sale Room”, as notated by the sign hanging above it. All of the items here seem randomly placed about to give the perception of a giant rummage sale, and the feeling there are fantastic bargains to be found.
Almost everyone I notice buys something. Whether it is a coffee table book, a new outfit, or an antique sea turtle bottle opener, the customers seem to want a solid remembrance of their visit here. Anthropologie seems to have a very good reading on the pulse of their buyers and have discovered a way to not only lure them in, but to keep them spellbound, and capture their business. As I walk outside, I feel a bit deflated much like the end of summer vacation. It was a much different realm inside those doors. The atmosphere was calming, magical, with none of the hustle and bustle that is out on the streets. Even though Anthropologie’s goal is to attract women between the ages of twenty and forty, through the use of the marketing skills discussed in “The Science of Shopping,” they have even attracted me, a fifty year old man. I may have to tag along on my wife’s next shopping trip to see if there are any new surprises.
Gladwell, Malcolm. “The Science of Shopping.” The New Yorker November, 4 1996: 1 - 14. Print.
Anthropologie is located in a fairly new shopping center with a majority of high-end stores that target female shoppers. Approaching the store and focusing on the front of the building, I can already tell it is not like the rest of the stores in the plaza. The foyer has an archway of weathered planks surrounding the enormous glass doors in the center of the foyer. The doors are oversized and each have handles that are made of tree branches. On either side of the entrance there are windows with eye-catching displays that are far from the everyday window dressing that I am accustomed to seeing. Both of the display windows are visible from across the parking lot, and immediately demand my attention. The positioning of both windows allows an unobstructed view from most anywhere in the general vicinity. This positioning gives potential customers time to slow down and take in the visuals presented in the windows. According to Paco Underhill, the faster people walk the more their peripheral vision narrows, and that the human down shift speed takes anywhere from twelve to twenty-five feet (Gladwell 1). This means that if a stores display windows are not visible or prominent, the average person will speedily walk right past the store. The presence of the windows here give people adequate time to achieve this and take in what they have to offer. The window on the left features a headless and armless mannequin in a stunning, single strapped, peach evening gown. At the waist, draped on top of the gown is a white piece of fabric that resembles the snowflakes that children cut out of paper at Christmas time. Both fabrics drop to the floor, fold towards the back, and then upwards towards the ceiling. The fabrics rise upwards about ten feet into the air where they are secured by five oversized clothespins that have been hung from the rafters of the building. The window dressing on the other side has an exhibit that has almost the same surreal charm about it . Mounted on a wall of time-worn, horizontal boards are thirty-five large yarn spools. The yarn on the spools is thick and you can see the fibers sticking out of it. Multiple colors of yarn, such as apricot, copper, tan, yellow, and white, flow off of each spool down to the ground. The yarn from each spool lands in a puddle atop an antique sewing machine that sits in the corner with bunches of similarly colored fabric piled around it. Both of these visuals achieve exactly what a good display window should do; peak my curiosity, and draw me in, because now I yearn to see what is on the other side of those doors.
The moment I step through the entrance I am transported to another place and time. I get the feeling that I am getting a glimpse of some secret world that males aren’t permitted to witness. The first thing that grabs my attention is a dilapidated mining cart on the left. A very peculiar item to see anywhere, especially in a women’s clothing store. Beyond the cart, multiple images inundate the senses all at once. There is a distinct aroma of cherry blossoms in the air, and the relaxing sounds of cool jazz ripples through the shop. This helps to lull the shopper into a relaxed state of mind. The visuals that are presented in this boutique make the outside world melt away. Directly in front, the scene looks as if I have just stepped into a home in 19th century France. The walls are made to look like the plaster is old and worn. They are cracking and some sections are missing. There is a large table up against the far wall that appears to be made out of an old barn door. Alongside the table, a love seat that is exploding with color. All around the area there are knickknacks, old books, and other curios that beg to be examined. Over to left, I can see as patrons are drawn to strips of pastel colored fabric draped from the ceiling. It is an awning made of fabric that pulls the shopper into what is the housewares section of your typical department store. Typical is not the word I would use here at all. The center point of this area is a round, black, wrought iron table and chairs. Odd and uniquely shaped dinnerware is placed about the table. A little farther down I notice a shelving unit that has a dozen little cubbies that hold bedding, antique radios and surrounded by paper-mache sculptures of wild animal heads. Around the corner, white flowers made of paper creep up the wall and then make their way across the ceiling. All of this creates an ambience of another world and makes for a wonderful shopping atmosphere. Donna Karan states that she never wants customers to think that they are walking into a clothing store. She says, “ I want them to think that they are walking into an environment, that I am transforming them out of their lives and into an experience” (Gladwell 11). Anthropologie achieves that without question by the decor of their store. By far, one of the quirkiest store designs I have ever witnessed.
Anthropologie is designed to capture the buying dollar of the woman who is sophisticated, fashionable, and unique. The type of woman who has her own personality and wants to stand out a bit from the crowd, but is not looking for a neon sign to announce her existence. Even though it is a chain store it is not a cookie cutter mall retail shop.The store is distinctive and creates a definitive shopping experience that draws the shopper through the store with it’s assortment of fashion, housewares, and whimsy. The objects that can be encountered are mildly eccentric and somewhat surprising, but seem to appeal to the women as they make their way through the store. are brass giraffe candle holders, bins full of exotic drawer knobs, chunky jewelry, and even garden markers made from antique spoons and forks. In addition there are countless books scattered throughout the store. They are not in a book section, but placed on tables, and various nooks and crannies throughout the store. Books about vintage cocktails, scrap booking, dogs, and Audrey Hepburn; almost any subject that one would think might be of interest to women. They are like kids in a candy store, except that this is a place for them. I hear two women talking as they say, “I think this blouse would go perfectly with that skirt” and “I know those bowls would look delightful in my kitchen”, as they make their way through the spacious aisles. None of the areas of the store are crammed or tight. There is plenty of room to browse the wares for sale here. This idea of spacious paths through the store applies Paco Underhill’s “retailing commandment: a women’s product that requires extensive examination should never be placed in a narrow aisle” (Gladwell 3).
Skillfully displayed amongst all of this is the primary focus of the store, the clothes. The clothes are deftly placed on the table and shelves through out room, hanging on hangers, or displayed on the curious looking mannequins. All of the clothing seems to call to the female customers to touch it. The apparel is colorful and richly textured. The sheer silks, the softness of the fleeces, and the warmth of the wools all create the sensation of coziness and comfort. Pants, sweaters, blouses, hats, and scarves all with a bohemian flair to them are served up in a novel way that sparks even my interest. Gladwell discusses in his article about “the increasingly critical role played by touching or, as Paco calls it petting, clothes in the course of making the decision to buy them” (Gladwell 4). Anthopologie plays on this theory extremely well in the way they present their products to their customers. The clothing that is on hangers is hung so that it is easily accessible. These items are not crammed tightly on a rack, but in small numbers, so shoppers can easily browse through all of the items without having to constantly push items aside. This interaction between the clothing and shopper creates a sort of dance as the women mingle with the clothing. This interaction is even more visible in “The Sale Room”, as notated by the sign hanging above it. All of the items here seem randomly placed about to give the perception of a giant rummage sale, and the feeling there are fantastic bargains to be found.
Almost everyone I notice buys something. Whether it is a coffee table book, a new outfit, or an antique sea turtle bottle opener, the customers seem to want a solid remembrance of their visit here. Anthropologie seems to have a very good reading on the pulse of their buyers and have discovered a way to not only lure them in, but to keep them spellbound, and capture their business. As I walk outside, I feel a bit deflated much like the end of summer vacation. It was a much different realm inside those doors. The atmosphere was calming, magical, with none of the hustle and bustle that is out on the streets. Even though Anthropologie’s goal is to attract women between the ages of twenty and forty, through the use of the marketing skills discussed in “The Science of Shopping,” they have even attracted me, a fifty year old man. I may have to tag along on my wife’s next shopping trip to see if there are any new surprises.
Sources Cited
Gladwell, Malcolm. “The Science of Shopping.” The New Yorker November, 4 1996: 1 - 14. Print.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Science Of Shopping - Section 2
Section two of this essay deals with the tactics that stores employ to entice buyers not only to buy the items they are looking for, but to buy additional items as they shop. Paco Underhill has spent much of his career video taping shoppers and is a bit of an expert on this subject. Some of the techniques and observations he discusses are:
1) Most people scan a store from left to right, when they enter and tend to fix on the object at a 45 degree angle to the right.
2) Supermarkets are designed with produce on the side of the store, meats at the back, and dairy products on the left side of the store. This causes customers to have to make a full sweep of the store to buy the essentials, thus being enticed by all the other merchandise the store has to offer.
3) Some stores place their goods out on tables. There are a few reasons for this. One people like to touch what they are buying and secondly, tables create a “home-like” atmosphere and makes the articles more inviting to be touched, in turn more likely to be purchased.
4) Women generally do not like their behinds touched while looking at an item in the store. If something happens to brush against them while shopping, they will leave.
This section continues with discussion of other approaches that stores use to draw you deeper into the store, and keep you there longer. Both playing on the idea that the farther into the store you go and the longer you stay, the more products you will buy. This is important in today’s retail market, as store owners have come to realize that it is not probable that they are going to increase the number people that shop in their stores. Therefore, the idea is to get those that do come in to buy more items. For example, if a customer comes in to buy a pair of pants attempt to sell them the belt, the socks, the shirt, the complete outfit. All of this is much more than I ever thought to put into the act of shopping.
Section two of this essay deals with the tactics that stores employ to entice buyers not only to buy the items they are looking for, but to buy additional items as they shop. Paco Underhill has spent much of his career video taping shoppers and is a bit of an expert on this subject. Some of the techniques and observations he discusses are:
1) Most people scan a store from left to right, when they enter and tend to fix on the object at a 45 degree angle to the right.
2) Supermarkets are designed with produce on the side of the store, meats at the back, and dairy products on the left side of the store. This causes customers to have to make a full sweep of the store to buy the essentials, thus being enticed by all the other merchandise the store has to offer.
3) Some stores place their goods out on tables. There are a few reasons for this. One people like to touch what they are buying and secondly, tables create a “home-like” atmosphere and makes the articles more inviting to be touched, in turn more likely to be purchased.
4) Women generally do not like their behinds touched while looking at an item in the store. If something happens to brush against them while shopping, they will leave.
This section continues with discussion of other approaches that stores use to draw you deeper into the store, and keep you there longer. Both playing on the idea that the farther into the store you go and the longer you stay, the more products you will buy. This is important in today’s retail market, as store owners have come to realize that it is not probable that they are going to increase the number people that shop in their stores. Therefore, the idea is to get those that do come in to buy more items. For example, if a customer comes in to buy a pair of pants attempt to sell them the belt, the socks, the shirt, the complete outfit. All of this is much more than I ever thought to put into the act of shopping.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
From Merry-Go-Rounds To Roller Coasters
When I discovered that I was to become a parent once again, I began to imagine all of the wonderful adventures that I was going to embark upon with my child: his first steps, his first words, and all the activities that we would become involved with. When my son Josh was born, I began to notice he was not developing like other children his age. For example, he was not talking as well as expected, he was emotionally detached, and also lacked motor skills. Eventually, at the age of four, Josh was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Asperger’s is a disorder that affects the way a person socializes and communicates with others. Other symptoms include: difficulty with coordination, an obsession with rituals or routines, and detachment from everyday feelings. In the crush of an instant, everything changed for me. In the last ten years, I have learned that raising a child with Asperger’s has both unique challenges and triumphs. I could not have learned that more than I did over two summer vacations.
When Josh was eight we went on vacation to Ocean City, Maryland. As a youngster, I spent all of my summers there. I loved everything about the place, especially the boardwalk. The boardwalk was two and a half miles of carnival atmosphere that was full of rides, arcades, and attractions. I hoped that Josh would have the same feelings, but instead, he showed no interest in the festivities around him. He seemed completely disinterested with anything the boardwalk had to offer. I was disheartened by this thought. I turned to my wife and said, “How could a child not enjoy the boardwalk?” To change his perspective, I figured we would go on some rides. I purchased two tickets for the merry-go-round. As we got on the ride, I could see in Josh’s face that he was becoming uncomfortable. I was not concerned because after all it was a merry-go-round, probably the most low-key ride you could imagine. As soon as the ride began Josh went into a complete meltdown. He screamed, “Dad, I need to get off of here,” and attempted to get off of the ride while it was in full motion. It was everything I could do to keep him from jumping off, until I was able to get the operator to stop the ride. Once I got him off of the ride, I was able to alleviate his anxiety.
Over the next couple of years, my wife and I frequently discussed the events of that evening. It was something that had really driven home the affects that Asperger’s had on Josh and myself. This episode with Josh had continually been in my thoughts. It stirred up a multitude of emotions inside me. I felt helpless, confused, and even guilty, as if in some way this was my fault. I could not understand how something I loved when I was younger actually terrified my boy. In retrospect, it was this event that caused me to pay more attention to the difficulties that Josh had fitting in with the rest of the world. I hoped that one day I would be able to help him overcome this major hurdle.
Josh turned ten in the summer of 2007, and once again we decided to go to Ocean City for our summer vacation. Again, we went to the boardwalk. While we there the scene from two years ago kept rolling through my mind. I was determined to do something to push both of us through this obstacle. We spent a good deal of the afternoon playing video games and visiting the shops. All the while I kept trying to persuade Josh to go on the gigantic roller coaster at the end of the boardwalk. Every time I asked, his reply was the usual, “I’ll pass.” I was persistent and continued to ask him throughout the day. Finally, he agreed to go. I did not give him the chance to change his mind. As fast as I could, I grabbed tickets and we were in our seats. It was a modern roller coaster, complete with twists, turns, and a full loop in the middle. As the roller coaster started to clack it’s way along the uphill climb, Josh turned to me and said, “Dad, I changed my mind.” “Too late,” I replied, “hang on tight.” As we began our first descent, I could see the combination of fear and excitement flash across Josh’s face. He had a white knuckle grip on the bar in front of him, but by the end of the ride I also noticed that there was an enormous smile on his face. This was probably the most overwhelming expression of emotion I had ever witnessed from him. Once we got off the coaster, I made a huge deal out of the fact that he had taken on something that he was horrified of and conquered it. We both were on top of the world for the rest of the day. We were both full of smiles and proud as could be.
Ironically, it’s been like a roller coaster ride raising a child with Asperger’s. Constant ups and downs, moments of fear, and periods of great excitement. It has totally changed any preconceived ideas I ever had about raising a child. Some days I am deeply saddened when I see the struggles that Josh must endure on a day-to-day basis, and on other days I glow with pride in seeing the young man that he has become. Josh has grown into an intelligent, good-hearted, and non-judgmental teenager. He is thirteen now and learning more everyday about how to cope with Asperger’s. At the end of the day, all of this has taught me more about parenting, love, and understanding than I could have ever imagined.
When Josh was eight we went on vacation to Ocean City, Maryland. As a youngster, I spent all of my summers there. I loved everything about the place, especially the boardwalk. The boardwalk was two and a half miles of carnival atmosphere that was full of rides, arcades, and attractions. I hoped that Josh would have the same feelings, but instead, he showed no interest in the festivities around him. He seemed completely disinterested with anything the boardwalk had to offer. I was disheartened by this thought. I turned to my wife and said, “How could a child not enjoy the boardwalk?” To change his perspective, I figured we would go on some rides. I purchased two tickets for the merry-go-round. As we got on the ride, I could see in Josh’s face that he was becoming uncomfortable. I was not concerned because after all it was a merry-go-round, probably the most low-key ride you could imagine. As soon as the ride began Josh went into a complete meltdown. He screamed, “Dad, I need to get off of here,” and attempted to get off of the ride while it was in full motion. It was everything I could do to keep him from jumping off, until I was able to get the operator to stop the ride. Once I got him off of the ride, I was able to alleviate his anxiety.
Over the next couple of years, my wife and I frequently discussed the events of that evening. It was something that had really driven home the affects that Asperger’s had on Josh and myself. This episode with Josh had continually been in my thoughts. It stirred up a multitude of emotions inside me. I felt helpless, confused, and even guilty, as if in some way this was my fault. I could not understand how something I loved when I was younger actually terrified my boy. In retrospect, it was this event that caused me to pay more attention to the difficulties that Josh had fitting in with the rest of the world. I hoped that one day I would be able to help him overcome this major hurdle.
Josh turned ten in the summer of 2007, and once again we decided to go to Ocean City for our summer vacation. Again, we went to the boardwalk. While we there the scene from two years ago kept rolling through my mind. I was determined to do something to push both of us through this obstacle. We spent a good deal of the afternoon playing video games and visiting the shops. All the while I kept trying to persuade Josh to go on the gigantic roller coaster at the end of the boardwalk. Every time I asked, his reply was the usual, “I’ll pass.” I was persistent and continued to ask him throughout the day. Finally, he agreed to go. I did not give him the chance to change his mind. As fast as I could, I grabbed tickets and we were in our seats. It was a modern roller coaster, complete with twists, turns, and a full loop in the middle. As the roller coaster started to clack it’s way along the uphill climb, Josh turned to me and said, “Dad, I changed my mind.” “Too late,” I replied, “hang on tight.” As we began our first descent, I could see the combination of fear and excitement flash across Josh’s face. He had a white knuckle grip on the bar in front of him, but by the end of the ride I also noticed that there was an enormous smile on his face. This was probably the most overwhelming expression of emotion I had ever witnessed from him. Once we got off the coaster, I made a huge deal out of the fact that he had taken on something that he was horrified of and conquered it. We both were on top of the world for the rest of the day. We were both full of smiles and proud as could be.
Ironically, it’s been like a roller coaster ride raising a child with Asperger’s. Constant ups and downs, moments of fear, and periods of great excitement. It has totally changed any preconceived ideas I ever had about raising a child. Some days I am deeply saddened when I see the struggles that Josh must endure on a day-to-day basis, and on other days I glow with pride in seeing the young man that he has become. Josh has grown into an intelligent, good-hearted, and non-judgmental teenager. He is thirteen now and learning more everyday about how to cope with Asperger’s. At the end of the day, all of this has taught me more about parenting, love, and understanding than I could have ever imagined.
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