Justin and I Book and controversy

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I have not been here in a while so I'm glad to be back I am writing a book about my teddy bear named Justin. it is children's book And about autism And how he makes me feel safe but there is the problem one that I might've mentioned before Justin was made and sold by autism speaks partnering with build a bear and even though I say autism awareness Bear instead of autism speaks bear and do not mention it. I'm afraid people associate this is all between good with autism speaks I'm just trying to show the love of my bear and awareness Of autism and the real true meaning of put the puzzle pieces are supposed to to represent bring people together to talk about and the unique features of autism and to start a conversation about our uniqueness. A puzzle piece as a good thing that is a thing to help people figure out about autism and stop being so ignorant. Now I'm not sure about if we should just try to change autism speaks or just try to limit or eliminate the company altogether. But that is a conversation for a different day. But that doesn't change the fact that even though he is autism speaks bear it's not going to make change that I still love Justin and I will take him everywhere etc. I don't know in particular I love Justin but let me describe this he was my favorite color and was The softest bear in in the entire store. I also wanted a way to spread awareness and since I love toys this is the way I did it I cannot resist Justin. I have had Justin for about two years and seven months and luckily I have left to lose them hopefully I will have him for many more years. Although don't tell him but I do have another bear just in case just like him. So what do I do? what do you think of Justin? What do you think of my idea for a book about my teddy bear? Do you think writing a book about him is a bad idea?

I, personally, would love to read a book about your bear. Don't let those straighties over at Autism Speaks ruin the love of your bear. Your bear is your bear, and it doesn't matter which organization has their name on him.

My favorite bear Trochera says that if people don't like Justin because of those straighties, well, to quote one of my favorite neologisms, ball 'em all.

Jen, Justin is Awesome and so are you. If you are concerned about an Autism Speaks reference in your book, you might just change the name of the bear in your book. I am sure your Justin won't mind. And I think he would be thrilled to know you got him a brother. And you and he look adorable in that pic.

I agree that you can make it a story about a girl and her bear. No names need to be accurate.


By the way, what's up with the Autism Speaks stuff I've been reading here. Seems to not be a popular group....

I've posted my own personal thoughts about the group only about 501 times now, and it still surprises me when people here don't know the reason why it's not popular.

It has been discussed a lot on here, so if you search you'll find a lot more, but here are a few old threads to get you started:

http://wrongplanet.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=129891

http://wrongplanet.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=266544

Jen, I think your book sounds like a great idea! The world needs some good autism fiction! As others have said, you could change Justin's name and don't mention where he comes from if you're uncomfortable with it. Or you could fictionalize the organization and give it a made up name, or you could even just say he is an autism charity bear without mentioning the specific organization.

I think the book is a great idea, I'd love to read a synopsis when it's finished. I have a stuffed fox named Nat who I carry with me in my bag wherever I go. Knowing I have him in there makes me feel safe. I wouldn't worry about Justin being an autism speaks bear. You can just tell yourself you rescued him from being adopted by someone who supports the company and who would help pay for research to eliminate us. You could actually use Justin's origins as an advantage in your story, talk about the fact that he came from autism speaks, but that he's really glad he's not there anymore because [list reasons why autism speaks sucks here]. I hope the story goes well, and I'd love to see some of it when it's done!

Are Autism Speaks trying in any way even if subtly to alter the message you want to put out?

If not does the fact that your message will get much a wider audience if posted by Autism Speaks more important to you then working with an orgazation that may do things you abhor?

If they are trying to alter your message has it been altered so much that the basic idea of your message is gone?

These are difficult questions that only you can answer.

The main problem is I created the first book already and at the time I was just thinking of Justin so I drew him with his shirt on the way it is in store with autism speaks it is on pretty much every page and i worked really hard in it so I wouldn't want to change it because it will be too much work and take too much time. Also the book is pretty long .



Well it's not an every single page that it is in some pages pretty much every page wth justin is on has his shirt on it
But not every page has justin on it

Having dealt with copyright issues and such, I would think real hard about using pictures and names of real people and things without consent. Especially anything for profit.

Maybe consent is something to consider. But, it must be done via lawyer. That stuff is tricky.

To the person who asked why Autism Speaks is not a good group, here is a video explaining why.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez936r2F35U