Jerry Newport and Mary Meinel-Newport wrote about their lives in Mozart and the Whale. Hollywood made their version with the same title. Jerry and Mary are Asperger’s syndrome people who met, fell in love, and got married . . . twice (both times with each other).
The Newports came to my area for the Going Places with Aspergers Conference. They talked about their book, their lives, their movie, and their thoughts on Aspergers. I was stunned to hear how opposite Mary was treated than Jerry when they tell others about their book and movie!
I got confused when Mary talked about the effect that the drugs she was given had almost caused her to have an accident which could have killed her. I wondered why she would ‘need’ meds. She explained as I listened in shocking disbelief!
When Mary (superb as an alien on Star Trek) told people she has a book published and Hollywood produced a movie based on her story, she was institutionalized for being ‘delusional’ and was prescribed medication to get over her ‘fantasy.’ Come on now! How easy can it be to check out such a story to see if it’s valid or not?! But no . . . that’s not the way it goes in real life.
When Jerry told people the same thing (remember, the book and movie are about the couple by the couple), he received praise and admiration. No one ever questioned him. They believed him, but not Mary. Why? Think about that Aspie guys when you’re feeling down because you think Aspie gals have a much better life. Better yet, read Mozart and the Whale. Then you’ll see how wonderful (not) Mary’s life has been.
When I first began reading Mozart and the Whale, almost immediately I knew Mary was my kindred soul! I never would have dreamed that I’d get to meet and talk with her! When I did, I was not at all surprised to discover she was exactly as I knew she’d be. She is a truly amazing woman who has been through so much crap in her life because she’s different. Even now I chuckle over the similarities between me and her — like how we both take too long to give a fantastic haircut because we’re so meticulous — along with other characteristics of our personality and lives that only I know.
