Emma typed that she wanted to write – “How about a story about what we attach ourselves to when we are most afraid.”
“In no particular place that anyone has ever heard of, there lived a girl who was friendly and loved to laugh. She had a body like any other girl her age, but it moved in ways that were unusual. This caused people to stare and even made some think that she wanted their mean looks and comments.
“Do you know anyone who likes to be the focus of such hurtful and nasty attention?
“No. I do not think anyone enjoys being made fun of.
“The fun is a question I do not have an answer to. Laughter is pure when it hurts no one.”
By Emma Zurcher-Long
August, 2014
Emma's Hope Book 
So true, dear Emma.
Yesterday, my son and I went on a walk and ran into a mother who was sitting outside with her son who has cerebral palsy. He kept shouting and my son felt scared. I explained to him that this boy was like him, a little bit different from the average person (my son and I are both on the spectrum), and after that my son understood and was able to not only not be afraid, but to have the beginnings of a relationship. We continued our walk to the house of our friend who happens to have Downs Syndrome. This friend is unable to interact with the boy with cerebral palsy because even though she knows he is a nice kid, her brain can’t process those loud sounds.
So even here we have a microcosm of how people can learn about others. some are able to grow and some cannot. Sometimes it’s a matter of a heart that is too small – and I have a very hard time understanding that kind of laughter, too! – and sometimes a quirky brain…But we thank you for the work you and your family do to help more people understand that we are all EQUALLY worthy of respect and love.
Laugther can be such a precious gift, and wisely said is that if it hurts then is no matter of laughter, a joke must enlight that god given soul we posses. A joke must pervade our soul with happiness or at least a glympse of it; however if the joke is not meant in this porpouse, then it is truly not a joke. Something that amazes me, is how much I enjoy laughting at myself, laughting of my little own pecualiarities, those small details that depict me in a more profound fashion, things that make me who I am. There are so many little things to laught about, to joke about, and I bet people can be harmful at noticing those peculiarities of mine, still; who is people anyway, to tell anything about who I really am. Emma love thyself and love thy neightbor was once the biggest treasure given to manking. So first thing first, start by loving oneself second thing will come easy. Keep an open heart, and never forget to smile.
❤ ❤
My son treats every child the same. He has autism and I know he knows he’s different but never acts differently to other kids. Just wants to be around them. Watch them and smile at them. I wish parents educated their kids so that smile would be returned and my son wouldn’t have to turn away sad and wondering why? Ever. He’s beautiful but if a less beautiful child came over to him he would gladly take his hand and play. I’m so lucky. I would never change him.
That is so true. Emma, I really love your posts because they are all so genuine. And I can relate to them as a mum.
What wonderful responses, and all so true.
I know a girl downtown who has Downs Syndrome, and at first when I smiled at her and spoke to her, she didn’t answer maybe because she was unsure of my intentions, but now that I’ve asked her her name and continued to speak to her just as I would to anyone, she now smiles back, and also speaks to me! There’s nothing like loving your neighbor like yourself, especially when you consider that anyone is your “neighbor”! And many can be “angels” in the real meaning of the word, that is messengers, because they teach us something about ourselves as well.
“Laughter is pure when it hurts no one.” Another beautiful quote from Emma to soothe the heavy gloomy effect on my senses of a gloomy damp morning! Thank you, Emma!
Pingback: Autism Unveiled: Emma: an #Autistic girl whose body and mouth-words do not always pay attention to her bright and wise mind | The Art of Autism