August 21, 2009
Six Word Memoir Contest – Disability Style
One of my favorite literary magazines is SMITH. SMITH is a home for storytelling of all forms and kinds.

"We believe everyone has a story, and everyone should have a place to tell it."
Smith is also the home of SIX WORD MEMOIR. I thought it would be fun to have a SIX WORD MEMOIR contest with readers of 5 MINUTES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.
Prizes:
1st place: a signed copy of my book A REGULAR GUY: GROWING UP WITH AUTISM
(three first place winners)
2nd place: a $15.00 Amazon Gift Card
(three second place winners)
Everyone else: A "Survival Tips for Regular Moms" book mark
Here are a few examples to get your juices flowing:
1) Developmentally Delayed? Can he catch up?
2) Bite marks bleeding, play date cancelled.
3) "Autistic? But he looks so normal."
Winners will be announced next Friday!
Laura
Laura Shumaker is the author of A REGULAR GUY: GROWING UP WITH AUTISM
and a contributor to A CUP OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
She writes each Friday for 5 MINUTES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.
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Comments on Six Word Memoir Contest – Disability Style »
Jody Italiaander @ 10:11 am
Pediatrician Didn't Dare. No One's Sure.
Kate Gallegos @ 10:20 am
Lights Vents Toilets Weather Sharks Aliens.
Kate Gallegos @ 10:22 am
He thinks he's the Rightest Guy.
Heather Corn @ 10:36 am
His name is Peter, not "Autistic"
Karen ~Leah Roses Mom @ 10:36 am
Constipation over. Pullups and wipes galore.
JoAnn~Henry's Mom @ 11:03 am
He's not bad, he is autistic.
Mark @ 11:25 am
Where am I??….I love you.
Kerry Brownridge @ 12:10 pm
It's a trip I would not change.
Janis @ SneakPeek @ 1:34 pm
Nothing's wrong with him. It's You!
Kim Ayres @ 2:26 pm
At least they are very loving children…
Janet Callahan @ 2:55 pm
who knew breathing was so complicated?
Kelly Feraro @ 2:59 pm
Autistic boy, lights up the room!
Melissa Skavlem @ 3:04 pm
presumption of competence, yes she can!
Kate Wilson @ 4:26 pm
Being mad is normal, mean's not.
Audrey Bartlett @ 4:42 pm
Artistic, Autistic all in one package.
Tammy and Parker @ 6:09 pm
Extra Chromosome? We hit the jackpot!
Lisa, Rileigh, Piper @ 6:35 pm
Try seeing the world their way!
Roni Crosser @ 8:02 pm
Is it a week yet Mom?
Ann @ 8:33 pm
don't settle for less, challenge accepted!
Andree Robinson-Neal @ 8:43 pm
"So much like me, it's scary…"
LauraS @ 8:53 pm
Wow-I think everyone wins.
You guys are GOOD!
Cale @ 9:21 pm
"Tourette's? So you curse and stuff?"
Stephanie @ 9:45 pm
"Her disability gives us our ability"
Call for Submissions: 5 Minutes for Special Needs + 6 Words for Memoirs | Editors' Blog @ 9:55 pm
[...] special needs and loved ones of those with special needs, is currently running a SMITH-inspired contest for six-word memoirs and we couldn't be happier. Winners will be announced next Friday and included in the prizes [...]
Kate Gallegos @ 11:31 pm
Why aren't the other kids like me?
Kate Gallegos @ 11:32 pm
My brain is different from yours.
Leia @ 12:56 am
Lots of words stuck in brain
Kim Ayres @ 5:09 am
What do you define as normal?
Barbara @ 7:38 am
Therapy shouldn't be dosed like medicine.
Barbara @ 7:38 am
Six team members. Parents know best.
Barbara @ 7:41 am
Nurturing our natures through our children.
This is fun! Fabulous idea for a contest, Laura. (Nice prizes, too!)
Barbara @ 7:41 am
Child development, not a straight line.
Stephanie @ 8:40 am
Her disability gives us our ability.
Stephanie @ 8:40 am
I submitted again because I forgot my URL the first time.
Olivia @ 8:46 am
Is he going to be "Okay"?
tammie @ 9:19 am
are your ducks in a row?
Take A Walk On The Happy Side @ 9:22 am
"Twins with DS. My beautiful world!"
colleen @ 10:00 am
Special needs, Who is typical anyways?
colleen @ 10:03 am
Who says I cant do it!
Sara Evans @ 1:12 pm
It's a new kind of perfect!
Tara Marie @ 4:51 pm
Share same syndrome, each person unique.
Janet Doll @ 6:29 pm
Heart born, cleft, ASD, family regardless.
Martha Hupp @ 11:19 pm
Adoption, Adam, Autism, Acoustical, Affable, Awe-inspiring!
Sharon Dinsmore @ 10:32 am
Lost, Panic, Found, Fear, Low-jack, vulnerability
Mary1day @ 12:58 pm
Maybe he'll grow out of it
Andreina Romero-Fernández @ 4:07 pm
Special needs make develop special abilities
Kate Wilson @ 4:32 pm
We don't use the word "normal".
Kate Wilson @ 4:34 pm
Kate, I love this! My daughter, Kassy (10) says this all the time! Cute
Kate
autie @ 9:45 pm
"You're not *really* Autistic!" "Says who?"
autie @ 9:46 pm
"Autistics lack feelings…" "I feel annoyed"
Coley @ 5:26 am
"Normal" is a setting on the dryer.
Coley @ 5:31 am
Don't talk with your hands full!
Jane @ 8:33 am
Tears over, finding our different perfect.
Suzie and Lily @ 5:07 pm
Remain calm, it's only a disability.
Christina @ 5:31 pm
repetition dominates… anything for your smile
Atalanta Lloyd-Haynes @ 5:19 am
Leave the labels alone please love
sisterpoet @ 3:24 pm
PDD: Just another misleading label
sisterpoet @ 3:26 pm
Another day, another doctor, another diagnosis.
sisterpoet @ 3:30 pm
" Special?but he looks so normal!"
sisterpoet @ 3:35 pm
NI, PI, ADHD, OCD, ODD…OMG!
sisterpoet @ 3:36 pm
Who will take care of me?
sisterpoet @ 3:44 pm
Expectations high, energy low, what next?
sisterpoet @ 3:46 pm
Needs so much care, I'm scared.
sisterpoet @ 3:47 pm
heart says embrace, mind says escape
Coley @ 9:56 am
I'm living in Holland.
Coley @ 9:57 am
Perfect wings in God eyes.
Coley @ 9:59 am
My occupation? Self taught advocate!
Amy P @ 12:06 pm
Another day. Another challenge. Let's Go!
Debbie T @ 2:17 pm
He doesn't know he has autism
Anne Price @ 6:52 pm
he said he loved me…. without prompting
Anne Price @ 6:54 pm
Miracle boy…. lives alone, works, now girlfriend
sisterpoet @ 12:15 am
Where is he on "the sprectum"?
sisterpoet @ 12:17 am
His world is black and white.
sisterpoet @ 12:24 am
Still cutting tags out of shirts!
sisterpoet @ 12:28 am
Finally discarded the yellow, prickly brush.
sisterpoet @ 12:35 am
Waiting to hear just one word.
Ian Levine @ 3:58 pm
fiance's grandfather called me "slow." so?
sisterpoet @ 9:08 am
Couldn't talk, now he won't stop:)
Lacie @ 3:55 pm
Disabled? No way! Just differently abled.
Lacie @ 3:58 pm
Imperfection is okay. "Normal" is boring.
Six Word Memoirs - Disability Style: The complete list | Laura Shumaker @ 3:13 pm
[...] few weeks ago, I sponsored a SIX WORD MEMOIR-disability style contest on 5 minutes for special needs. The contest was inspired by Smith [...]
Sheri @ 11:40 am
He doesn't qualify for Special Ed.
Amy @ 11:57 am
First he's my son, second…diagnosis.
Susan @ 7:22 pm
Early Intervention are the key words.
Lisa @ 12:27 am
Who knew he would teach me?