Nick is a writer, artist, and autism/“diffability” advocate. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Delaware County Community College, and has presented at numerous disability conferences and workshops. Nick’s writing has appeared in the books The Philosophy of Autism (2013), Real People, Regular Lives (2011), and Sharing Our Wisdom (2003), and in the journals Wordgathering, Disability Studies Quarterly, AutCom’s The Communicator, and The Other Side. His award-winning short video, Outside/Inside (2002), has been shown at disability film festivals worldwide.
“I have been able to express myself fully, 24/7.”
Question: What challenges have you faced due to COVID-19?
Nick: Facing personal fears, I am not so afraid of being sick, but I am terrified of going to a hospital, especially since I might not be allowed to have Gwen with me to assist with communication, keep me calm, and explain my behavior to hospital workers. In the background I also fear, because I am disabled, that there could be a situation in which my life may not be valued as much as other people’s if hospital workers can only save a limited number of patients and are forced to prioritize patients’ lives.
I don’t know whether all of my current and future staff will want to get vaccinated (and update shots if they’re needed), but I would prefer that all of us be vaccinated before we begin working together again in a hands-on capacity; I wouldn’t want to lose anyone or damage their health because we weren’t careful. However, I worry about my staff earning less money, so I want them to return as soon as it’s safe. I miss them and other people I love; I want to hug them all and tune into their energy again.
At the same time, these challenges create opportunities:
I have been able to express myself fully, 24/7.
I want to cherish this period of isolation and emotional closeness with Gwen as a time to remember in the future when our lives are more independent from one another.
I am developing new relaxation techniques.
I have been finding community in new ways, particularly online in video chats, meetings, workshops, conferences, plays, and music performances.
I participated in an online members exhibit and sold my piece, which also now appears on the Mosaic Society of Philadelphia website.