Losing

Abstract

In 2005 Mel Baggs contributed an important action to the neurodiversity movement’s development. In response to the website “Getting the Word Out” published by the Autism Society of America, Baggs came up with their own version, “Getting the Truth Out,” a website that displayed black-and-white selfies, mashed together with negative medical descriptions used for them to make the point that you can make anyone look terrible if you describe them selectively and that stances like those conveyed on the “Getting the Word Out” website harm autistic people. Baggs had thought they failed to convey their message, but learned that the website had an impact. They emphasize that sometimes what you do has important effects even when you seem to be failing or losing.