Why So Blue?

“Why blue, Mom?  Isn’t autism all colors?”

A great question asked by a very inquisitive child.  Corbin and I were shopping for a blue light bulb for our front door and I was trying to explain to him what a blue light bulb had to do with autism.
I remember when I first heard about the whole wearing blue, lighting it up blue campaign.  I wasn’t sold.  To me that was raising awareness for one particular resource (Autism Speaks) and not for the entire population of individuals with ASD.  I had this internal argument with whether or not I would participate.
Then I decided to go with it.
My decision isn’t because I particularly do or do not support certain organizations.  My decision is solely based on the decision that wearing blue and lighting it up blue is getting attention.  It’s a HUGE movement that the media sees.  Yes the interviews or mentions may be aimed towards Autism Speaks- but don’t all those starlets always say “Any publicity is good publicity”?  I think if a campaign gets places like the Sydney Opera House and Empire State Building participating then we are heading in the right direction.
My decision is based on that I do support my son.  And I support all of the other individuals with ASD.  I support all of their families.  I will wear blue and I have been lighting it up blue because I want my support to be public.  If my blue light on my front door gets one person to ask me what it is for and I can educate that one person on autism, then I feel like that is one person closer to the goal of awareness and acceptance.
Plus, as I told Corbin, “I don’t think they make rainbow light bulbs.”
Heather Nelson

About Heather Nelson
