WHO IS TEMPLE GRANDIN?

“I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we’ve got to do it right.  We’ve got to give those animals a decent life and we’ve got to give them a painless death.  We owe the animal respect.” “Nature is cruel but we don’t have to be.” – Temple Grandin

I recentley watched the HBO film ‘Thinking in Pictures My Life with Autism” depicting the life of Temple Grandin who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4.  The movie stars Claire Danes as Temple, Julia Ormand as Temple’s mother and Catherine O’Hara as Temple’s aunt.  This movie was very successful in helping us understand what individuals with autism have to face as well as breaking down the stereotype that those who live with autism should be institutionalized.

Temple was not able to talk until she was about three and half years old.  She was diagnosed with autism in 1950 and her parents were told that she should be institutionalized.  Her mother did not want to accept that and was adamant to see her child succeed.  Succeed she did – Temple is now the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world.  She is a doctor of animal science, professor at Colorado State University, best-selling author, animal and autism activist.

Temple has written the  book entitled ‘Emergence:  Labeled Autistic’ about how she overcame the obstacle of autism along with;  Different…Not Less, The Way I See It, Animals Make Us Human, Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships and Animals in Translation.  She has received a ‘Proggy’ Award from PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals) and received and has been featured on Primetime Live, The Today Show and Larry King Live.

Individuals have an opportunity to ask Temple questions via her webiste, www.templegrandin.com here are some of her responses:

I highly recommend watching the film ‘Thinking in Pictures My Life With Autism’ – I was amazed at how easily dismissive we are when we don’t make an effort to try and understand someone through patience and without judgements.  If someone who lived with autism all her life can clearly see that we (as a society) need to be more respectful, loving and compassionate to animals and other people – why is it so difficult for so many others.  Temple was very lucky to have the support of a loving mother and aunt and a science teacher who knew she was special from the day he met her.  Here is the trailer for the film:

Together we can make the world a more positive one!