Meeting Dr. Grandin

Almost six years ago now, I had the honor of attending a presentation by Dr. Temple Grandin. Before the engagement, she was kind enough to mingle with the crowd and meet as many of the attendees as she could. She spent almost twenty minutes signing autographs, posing for pictures, and offering kind words to everyone she met with.

I have met my fair share of celebrities during my short time on this planet. Each one as gracious and kind as the next. Each one making an impact. Yet, I never found myself getting star struck as I met them. That all changed when I met who is likely the foremost autism and animal activist on the planet.

I was already worked up being among the crowds and my fellow individuals with autism. I was nearing sensory overload. That’s when I noticed an open avenue toward her. Standing tall and proud. Her eyes ever sharp, taking in everything around her. Cow pins displayed like an award rack on a soldier’s ASUs. Doctor Temple Grandin.

I was still dating my wife at the time and she knew that I was as star struck as I was in sensory overload. So, my wife grabbed my hand and drug me over to Dr. Grandin, explaining my issue and they both gave me a pointed look like, “Are you going to say ‘Hello’ and ask for an autograph, or picture?” I eventually caved and asked. The good doctor was the consummate professional.

While she seemed slightly perturbed by my shyness and behavior, I could tell by the look in her eyes that she understood. We held a short, two-minute conversation before she signed my books and was off like a flash to meet the next group of people. I was too slow to get a selfie with her. I was too star struck! Me! A person who had met the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation (including John de Lancie) and Sylvester McCoy of The Hobbit and Doctor Who fame. I didn’t have a problem with meeting them. Yet, I found myself so start struck and nervous that I was shaking!

Several minutes later we were sitting in the auditorium where Dr. Grandin was giving her speech on autism, autism advocacy, autism awareness, her latest book, and animal husbandry. It was quite an informative lesson. I had watched dozens of videos of her giving her speeches and talks. Nothing could have prepared me for the mind-blowing experience of listening to her in person!

Doctor Grandin was charming, funny, witty, and a supremely eloquent speaker. It was easy to see why she is the most sought after autism awareness advocate and speaker. She was able to explain things in such a simplified manner that people who had little to no understanding of the topic could comprehend it. She conveyed an excitement about autism awareness and spoke with such deep passion that it was infectious. One could not help but be drawn in by her.

At the end of her presentation there was a question and answer time. My wife, then girlfriend/fiance, began warning me that she was going to ask her a question I might find both embarrassing and funny at the same time. I kept asking her not to, but she said that she wanted to see what Dr. Grandin had to say on the subject of her question. There were the typical questions about her squeeze machine, how she learned to deal with colitis, and if she really did what she did in the movie about her life when the cowboys covered her truck in bull testicles.

The next thing that I knew, there was a spotlight on my wife and a microphone being held in front of her. I couldn’t help but start stimming. The embarrassment and overstimulation showing on my face.

That’s when I heard her question: “What advice do you have for someone married to, or in a relationship with an autistic person, and how to deal with them when they start stimming in public?” She just had to go there. I was gazing at Dr. Grandin from beneath the hand that wasn’t flapping like crazy. Waiting to see what she had to say. I know that it was a genuine concern and question. I still couldn’t help but feel a little exposed.

Doctor Grandin got a bit of a mischievous smirk on her face and that’s when she unloaded both barrels. “As long as it isn’t too bad, I would let it go. However, if it is too bad and noticeable, here’s what I want you to do: Reach over and pop him on the back of the head. Tell him, ‘No. Not right now. This isn’t the time, or place for that. Wait until we get home. Then you can stim all you want for as long as you want.’ Is that him slouching in the seat next to you?”

Hello spotlight! Hello blushing in embarrassment! That was one hell of a salvo! At the time I was incredibly embarrassed. I chuckled nervously, but was still a little irritated that she had actually gone through with it and asked her. I knew that they were both trying to lighten a fairly sensitive subject to try and make it less embarrassing. At the time I was less-than-pleased.

Looking back on it, the question needed answering, and the response was epically hilarious! Once I had calmed down, I was able to find the humor in it and found myself incredibly grateful for the advice that Dr. Grandin had given her. I was also a very happy man for having gotten the chance to meet such an amazing person!

I attribute the inspiration for this blog and my own mission of autism awareness: Sharing my experiences and so on; to meeting Dr. Grandin and attending the talk that she gave. If any of you ever have the chance to meet her and attend one of her talks, DO IT! It is one of the best things that you can do. You will be inspired, educated, and left in stitches by her uplifting and humorous speeches! To this day I count myself lucky to have met Dr. Temple Grandin.