Asperger's Syndrome & The Amazing Race

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Asperger's Syndrome & The Amazing Race
Another way to help raise awareness...and hopefuly in a positive light.

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race/

Zev and Justin
Biography
Zev Glassenberg (26); Justin Kanew (30)
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, Calif. / Los Angeles
Occupation: Unemployed/VP of Production and Development for National Lampoon
Relationship: Friends

Zev and Justin's friendship started six years ago when they were working as camp counselors and the two have been very close ever since. Zev has Asperger's Syndrome, but they don't let it affect their relationship. They share friends and interests, and the friendship is as mutually beneficial as any could be.

Zev is an avid sports fan — especially basketball — and he has an intense competitive spirit. He describes himself as funny, modest, and loyal, and is running the Race to prove to himself that he can do anything.

Justin prides himself on his patience and his ability to problem solve. He admits the biggest difference between he and his partner is that Zev is not great in large groups of people — one of the characteristics of Asperger's — while Justin is very easy-going and can assimilate himself into any group.

Outside of the occasional trip to Vegas (where Justin took Zev to lose his virginity), neither has traveled extensively, particularly with one another. Their relationship is spontaneous and unedited and resembles one of brothers more than friends.

I'm an avid fan of the Amazing Race, but I'm kind of dreading this season.

It seems like they're really trying to ham up the "oh, look at the poor mentally challenged person and his benevolvent, patient mentor" angle. I sincerely hope it isn't like that, but the introduction of the team doesn't give me much hope. This Zev guy sounds like a stereotype. I'm sorry, but it's true.

Finaly showed here on our public TV, not sure what to make of it. I can see him freaking out the poker faces.

I second your This.