A recent confession has caused quite a stir in the entertainment industry. Actress Daryl Hannah recently revealed that she is on the autism spectrum in an issue of People Magazine. Hannah claims that she was never happy being in the "center of attention." Some have criticized Hannah for not revealing this information sooner.
Let's examine this a little closer. Hannah is 52, which means she was born in a time when autism was not widely understood. Her mother refused doctors when they said Hannah should be institutionalized and would not function in society. By age 17, Hannah was acting and in the years that followed she made it big as a celebrity. However, she was never happy. Having nearly every aspect of her life analyzed by the media is not easy for anyone, but I can imagine that it caused Hannah uncomfortable anxiety.
I have to admit that I had not heard of Daryl Hannah prior to hearing about this story. She never acted in the kind of movies I like to watch. In any case, it seems like Hannah's revelation has led many to questions whether they really knew her. I think that is nonsense because they already knew her beforehand, from her actions, movies, and decisions. When I reveal to a new person that I am on the autism spectrum, the first thing that comes to mind is whether this information will change the way people view me. No wonder Hannah waited so long to make this revelation...
Here are my sources:
http://www.stjamesnews.com/article/20130927/NEWS/309279955
http://www.ibtimes.com/daryl-hannah-autism-2013-did-interview-bring-awareness-or-confusion-spectrum-disorder-1413044
Let's examine this a little closer. Hannah is 52, which means she was born in a time when autism was not widely understood. Her mother refused doctors when they said Hannah should be institutionalized and would not function in society. By age 17, Hannah was acting and in the years that followed she made it big as a celebrity. However, she was never happy. Having nearly every aspect of her life analyzed by the media is not easy for anyone, but I can imagine that it caused Hannah uncomfortable anxiety.
I have to admit that I had not heard of Daryl Hannah prior to hearing about this story. She never acted in the kind of movies I like to watch. In any case, it seems like Hannah's revelation has led many to questions whether they really knew her. I think that is nonsense because they already knew her beforehand, from her actions, movies, and decisions. When I reveal to a new person that I am on the autism spectrum, the first thing that comes to mind is whether this information will change the way people view me. No wonder Hannah waited so long to make this revelation...
Here are my sources:
http://www.stjamesnews.com/article/20130927/NEWS/309279955
http://www.ibtimes.com/daryl-hannah-autism-2013-did-interview-bring-awareness-or-confusion-spectrum-disorder-1413044
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