This three part video documentary is about a 14 year old Aspie boy named Reuben Walsh. As good as it portrays an example of Aspergers, what should always be keep in mind is that there are other vital factors which affect the way Aspies differ from one another.
Reuben wants to remain true to his unique self, but without being so aliened from everyone else.
You may notice (like when he is clothes shopping in Part 3) that he appears to be a potentially good example of the type of person Kazimierz Dabrowski describes in his Theory of Positive Disintegration. If you’re not up to reading what Dabrowski’s theory is about and/or can’t understand it, it means Reuben could probably experience greater mental health than what most people could possibly ever know.¹
Reuben’s Crazy Life – Part 1
Reuben’s Crazy Life – Part 2
Reuben’s Crazy Life – Part 3
¹I wonder if David Weeks heard of Kazimierz Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration? Dr. Weeks, along with Jamie James, have done studies on eccentrics and (to my knowledge) have not mentioned Aspergers, but what is pointed out in an interview with Dr. Weeks is that eccentrics live longer, are happier and are odd.
Generally speaking, Aspies probably have the greatest potential for this if they avoid the ‘robotic, dehumanizing (and de-individualizing) role of the social environment’ and instead aim for a ‘higher autonomous and stable ideal self’. To achieve this at its highest level is to maximize one’s true personality.
I know from experience what trials and tribulations one must face to go that route, but I can’t image traveling it without Christ.
The choice is conform to the world or be transformed into God’s ideal you.
Postscript — Edits might be made on this post in the future, after I’m less sleep deprived, if improvements appear necessary. I can think of some things to expound upon in this set of videos, but rather than ‘mess up’ this post, I might create another post for those nuggets of information.
