The Storm…
As the Reunification Express slowly chugged its way down the tracks away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi City this late Sunday afternoon, the raindrops gliding lazily down the window panes denied me the usually stunning view of the Vietnamese countryside in the late afternoon; the sky was not painted in brushstrokes of subtle pinks and purples; the water from rice fields did not shimmer with the reflection of the setting sun. Instead, an ominous and monotonous shade of grey was splashed angrily across the sky…
Passing For “Normal”…
This post was first written and published as a Facebook post in early December. It was the week of “International Day of People with a Disability” (IDPWD) and I was finding myself frustrated by the “personal politics’ of disability in the social spaces I personally as an Autistic and Neurodivergent person inhabit and so I set out to correct the record with few intentions of mincing my words. I never expected the response that I received. I wrote and published the ‘essay’ at 1am; by 8.30am I had over a dozen comments on my personal profile relating to this post. Clearly, I struck a nerve. It started public and private conversations that have continued to this day and have only enhanced and enriched my understanding of the complexities of Autistic spaces …
Abstract Realities…
Abstract is not a concept that I’ve really been particularly familiar with before. Even long before I received a diagnosis as autistic, I found my intellectual identity in things that were concrete, ordered, logical and analytical…
Exploring Autistic Identity Through Art
Finding Beauty in the Broken Places…
There were certain words echoing around my brain, over and over, bouncing around like a tennis ball.
“You are BROKEN!” It said
“You have a BROKEN brain!”
“There is something WRONG with you!” It shouted.
The whispers I’d felt for months, and years beforehand were exploding.
You are different, it said, as though that was some sort of lifelong curse.
You are worth less than others, it nagged.
Around and around and around and around and around…”
Thanks so much Mona Magazine for publishing my story of diagnosis as autistic in my late twenties...
Exploring Neurodiversity…
Do you identify as neurodivergent? That is do you identify as being Autistic or live with ADHD? If so do you identify as female- as this is exactly what I’m looking for! Do you live in South-West NSW/Riverina or Northern Victoria region?! Even better!
I’m endeavouring to undertake a creative project aimed towards changing the views and assumptions about neurodivergence, particularly as it relates to women and girls…
For now all I want to do is have a chat and get to know you a little better… BUT also I am looking for people who would be interested/comfortable in being photographed and or having their story told publicly in the future! I welcome people from all backgrounds including first nations individuals, people from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds, people across the AFAB gender spectrum and people with additional disabilities,,,
If this represents you- or you know someone else who you think might be interested- please contact me via Spoonfuls of Whimsy facebook page or via my email spoonfulsofwhimsy@gmail.com. I’d love to start a conversation with you!
This is open to women of all ages from kids through to older adults… but if you are under 18 I will require a consent waiver from your parents (which I can provide on request). Alternatively you can email me at spoonfulsofwhimsy@gmail.com
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Jessica.
*disclosure- I myself am Neurodivergent as an Autistic woman.
*if you so chose you can contact me directly and express interest but choose to remain anonymous/unidentifiable. If so I will talk you through the process from there but I still welcome your input to this project!
Just… DOGS🐾
Joy and solace through art…
“Art has incredible abilities to bring joy into people's lives, bring people together, allow people to express themselves and explore feelings, emotions and thoughts and most importantly inspire HOPE! These packs were created in the hope that others lives too may be enriched with the same opportunities for whimsical joy, play and hope through art as they face their own challenging circumstances.”
Wollundry Photo Competition 2021
Back in May 2021 I was honoured to win the Wollundry Photo Exhibition 2021. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s competition a success.
Just a Spoonful of Whimsy…?
What’s in a name? Why I do what I do, and how the name “Spoonfuls of Whimsy” came to be…