This Retraction Goes on the Front Page

All too often, the the papers accuse someone of being a slime ball on the front page, with a big headline, and in-depth analysis. When it turns out that the paper was in error, they print a one-line retraction on page 18 below the fold.

Smockity Frocks has apologized. Despite all the uproar, some of it very mean-spirited, and from people who should know better, she has found the courage to admit to offending people and try to make peace. I hope the rest of us can do the same.

Does this mean she "gets" what it's like to live with autism? No, and I don't think we should expect her to. While I appreciate any attempt at help or understanding, I get annoyed with people, even especially professionals who have given their lives to helping people with autism, when they claim to understand my life. You may know a lot about autism, but you get to leave it all behind and go home at night. We live with it 24 hours a day, seven days a week, sometimes for years without one evening of respite.

That said, I will give the same effort to announcing Grace that I gave to condemnation. I'm no saint; I've only learned to forgive a little because I have been forgiven much.