Full Transcript for Embracing Differences Inspiring Unity Meet Kadin McElwain

things that make us interesting. 54 00:05:17,202.68766667 --> 00:05:18,502.68766667 Like seriously, think about it. 55 00:05:18,522.68766667 --> 00:05:23,902.68766667 Think of every single one of us was exactly the same. 56 00:05:24,262.68766667 --> 00:05:26,422.68766667 We thought exactly the same. 57 00:05:26,552.68766667 --> 00:05:28,252.68666667 We did exactly the same. 58 00:05:29,262.68666667 --> 00:05:31,232.68766667 We would all be bored to sleep. 59 00:05:31,782.68666667 --> 00:05:38,182.68766667 You just have a pile of humans lying around sleeping because everything would be so uninteresting. 60 00:05:39,162.68766667 --> 00:05:43,502.68766667 I think the fact that we each have something a little different. 61 00:05:44,102.68766667 --> 00:05:50,752.68766667 gives us a chance to come together, explore and learn from other people. 62 00:05:50,832.68766667 --> 00:05:58,582.68766667 And I agree with you, that all the arguing and this side and that side and all of that, I just, I don't see the point. 63 00:05:59,132.68766667 --> 00:06:02,822.68866667 I know I have a kind of a Pollyanna attitude to life. 64 00:06:03,382.68866667 --> 00:06:07,62.68866667 I always play what's called the glad game. 65 00:06:07,102.68866667 --> 00:06:09,512.68866667 I've been doing it since I was five years old. 66 00:06:09,512.68866667 --> 00:06:27,22.68866667 And, I always look for the good in whatever or whomever, because I think it's a lot easier for us to get by if we're trying to get along with other people and trying to understand other people. 67 00:06:28,702.68766667 --> 00:06:47,272.68866667 Did you find when you were in grade school, did you find it was Easier or harder than, say, college when it comes to dealing with other people? I would say the same. 68 00:06:47,272.68866667 --> 00:06:51,882.68866667 College might have been a little easier because around that time people grow up. 69 00:06:51,992.68766667 --> 00:06:54,212.68866667 They stop seeing differences. 70 00:06:54,242.68866667 --> 00:06:58,122.68866667 They stop insulting other people to look good for their friends. 71 00:06:58,387.68866667 --> 00:07:06,197.68866667 There are those few people who have pure hatred in their hearts, that's just life, but all we can do is pray for them. 72 00:07:06,527.68866667 --> 00:07:15,987.68766667 But I'd say college is way easier in the sense of interacting with people, talking with people, embracing your differences. 73 00:07:16,747.68766667 --> 00:07:37,822.68866667 Elementary school was also easy too, it's middle school and high school that were the hardest for me, because every To be fair, everyone was trying to figure out who exactly they were, who they liked, who they wanted to associate with, so they felt the need to hurt people and insult people for who they are. 74 00:07:37,892.68866667 --> 00:07:46,62.68866667 And I was a victim in a lot of those situations, but that's common for a lot of students in middle school and high school. 75 00:07:46,972.68866667 --> 00:07:47,262.68866667 Cool. 76 00:07:47,272.68866667 --> 00:07:47,602.68866667 Yeah. 77 00:07:47,822.68866667 --> 00:07:51,432.68866667 And it's also my firm belief that everything starts in the home. 78 00:07:51,712.68866667 --> 00:07:59,802.68866667 If the parents are mean and rude, full of hatred, and worship people like Andrew Tate, or for the purpose of relevancy, P. 79 00:07:59,802.68866667 --> 00:08:02,962.68866667 Diddy, then most likely they're not. 80 00:08:03,277.68866667 --> 00:08:10,367.68866667 Those students, those children are gonna go out and insult the other students because they don't know who they are yet. 81 00:08:12,257.68866667 --> 00:08:26,297.68766667 I agree with you and I'm gonna take it a little bit further and say that I had this discussion yesterday with somebody on LinkedIn because people that are in pain hurt people. 82 00:08:27,667.68766667 --> 00:08:31,97.68766667 And often it can be mental pain. 83 00:08:31,147.68766667 --> 00:08:32,647.68766667 It can be physical pain. 84 00:08:33,97.68766667 --> 00:08:37,177.68766667 It can be the pain of having a parent that beat you. 85 00:08:37,747.68766667 --> 00:08:41,787.68666667 It can be the pain of living with chronic illness. 86 00:08:41,857.68666667 --> 00:08:43,777.68566667 There's so many reasons around it. 87 00:08:44,422.68666667 --> 00:09:09,532.68666667 But we've found with tons and tons of studies that kids who are bullied usually have parents that bully them or have parents that were also bullied because you tend to stick with what you know, and for kids that are bullies, reaching out and hurting somebody else. 88 00:09:10,517.68666667 --> 00:09:16,67.68666667 is actually their way of trying to stop their own pain, which doesn't make it right. 89 00:09:16,307.68666667 --> 00:09:20,517.68666667 And, doesn't make that something that anyone should do. 90 00:09:21,197.68666667 --> 00:09:27,727.68566667 It just can sometimes give you a little more understanding of why people do the things they do. 91 00:09:28,327.68566667 --> 00:09:33,487.68666667 The other thing, and you touched on this when you said that middle school, you don't know who you are. 92 00:09:33,977.68666667 --> 00:09:53,657.68766667 Not only that, but by 9, 10 years old, we are all this hormonal soup that has no idea what it's doing or why and everything in your body is changing and everything in your mind is a little bit off for everyone. 93 00:09:54,437.68766667 --> 00:09:56,907.68766667 Being a preteen and a teenager. 94 00:09:57,737.68666667 --> 00:10:04,197.68666667 It's not easy for anybody, and I wouldn't wish that on my way, my worst enemy. 95 00:10:04,557.68666667 --> 00:10:10,997.68666667 It was a difficult time, and I had I was good in high school and middle school. 96 00:10:10,997.68666667 --> 00:10:12,277.68666667 I had lots of friends. 97 00:10:12,307.68666667 --> 00:10:18,707.68566667 I was in, the, the middle norm group of

people who just, did their thing. 98 00:10:18,717.68466667 --> 00:10:20,17.68516667 We played baseball. 99 00:10:20,67.68516667 --> 00:10:21,787.68616667 We all had hobbies. 100 00:10:21,827.68616667 --> 00:10:23,347.68616667 I was a figure skater. 101 00:10:23,357.68516667 --> 00:10:38,132.68616667 Some of my friends were, so we were all very busy doing our thing and weren't We didn't have the time or the inclination to hurt somebody else because there was no need. 102 00:10:39,302.68616667 --> 00:10:46,642.68516667 We did see people that bullied and I know two people specifically in middle school. 103 00:10:47,292.68416667 --> 00:10:53,182.68416667 We all knew why they were bullies because in one case the parents were alcoholics. 104 00:10:53,677.68516667 --> 00:10:55,297.68516667 And it wasn't a good home life. 105 00:10:55,967.68516667 --> 00:10:57,267.68516667 It didn't make it right. 106 00:10:57,517.68516667 --> 00:11:03,47.68416667 And we weren't excusing their activities or their attitude. 107 00:11:03,787.68416667 --> 00:11:07,847.68416667 We were just acknowledging that it came from somewhere. 108 00:11:09,247.68516667 --> 00:11:13,907.68416667 It's not easy for anybody. 109 00:11:14,637.68416667 --> 00:11:22,347.68516667 And the unfortunate thing, and I think you're right about college, is more people are likely to take a stand. 110 00:11:23,617.68516667 --> 00:11:28,717.68416667 I, even as a child, did not like to see somebody else get bullied. 111 00:11:30,107.68516667 --> 00:11:35,247.68516667 I, it was just something that, that I couldn't deal with. 112 00:11:35,287.68516667 --> 00:11:38,307.68516667 I wanted everybody to be okay. 113 00:11:38,307.68516667 --> 00:11:40,17.68516667 That was just my attitude. 114 00:11:40,757.68516667 --> 00:11:56,607.68516667 But we're seeing more and more that Gen Z and the, final generation we have right now, they are much more likely to step up and say something to help someone else rather than just go with the flow. 115 00:11:56,627.68516667 --> 00:11:58,407.68516667 Because one crowd is. 116 00:11:58,887.68516667 --> 00:12:01,847.68516667 Is being mean that they have to jump in. 117 00:12:02,457.68516667 --> 00:12:14,877.68516667 Is that me just being overly hopeful or is that something you see too? It's complicated, in my opinion, not generation Z, the tech talk generation. 118 00:12:14,957.68416667 --> 00:12:28,987.68516667 I think there are a lot of people who are growing up early, choosing to be good people, standing up to people, putting in the work and to have the success they have, but a lot more generous. 119 00:12:29,802.78516667 --> 00:12:34,922.68516667 I would say a lot of them are a bit whiny. 120 00:12:35,992.68516667 --> 00:12:41,382.68516667 Some of them act entitled and think they deserve a job without putting in the work. 121 00:12:43,22.68516667 --> 00:12:46,852.58516667 But my parents taught me to have a strong work ethic. 122 00:12:47,212.68516667

--> 00:12:48,82.68516667 Early on. 123 00:12:48,82.68516667 --> 00:12:53,462.68516667 So I think that's where I get my work ethic for rum, in my opinion. 124 00:12:55,367.68516667 --> 00:13:09,422.68516667 And I do admire or some people in my generation for standing up to what they believe and putting in the work to build Pac years, a lot of which are formed well in high school, believe it or not. 125 00:13:09,422.68516667 --> 00:13:12,602.68516667 There are a couple of businesses I know of. 126 00:13:13,492.68516667 --> 00:13:19,282.68516667 But I think my generation could approach advocacy better. 127 00:13:19,282.68516667 --> 00:13:30,222.68516667 One thing I frown upon my generation for doing is pulling the circus we saw on college campuses recently with the protests and the vandalism. 128 00:13:31,532.68516667 --> 00:13:32,282.68516667 Yeah, I get it. 129 00:13:32,342.68516667 --> 00:13:37,372.68516667 They believe or cause but there's a better approach to advocacy I thought than. 130 00:13:37,832.68516667 --> 00:13:40,252.68516667 committing a crime or vigilantism. 131 00:13:40,372.68516667 --> 00:13:50,32.68516667 For example, going on these platforms like what I do constantly to talk about your cause, bring attention to a variety of audiences. 132 00:13:50,487.68516667 --> 00:13:55,807.68516667 Sis, if people don't like the cause, don't give them the time of day planning fundraisers. 133 00:13:58,457.68516667 --> 00:14:01,297.68516667 Centered around your favorite autism organization. 134 00:14:01,727.68516667 --> 00:14:09,847.68416667 For me, a lot of the fundraisers I plan are for this organization here in Lake County called the Lake County Special Needs Birthday Club. 135 00:14:11,847.68416667 --> 00:14:14,977.68416667 Talking with politicians is another good way. 136 00:14:14,987.68416667 --> 00:14:20,157.68516667 I have several connections in the political industry, but I talked to you about autism more. 137 00:14:21,422.68516667 --> 00:14:23,612.68516667 So I think both generations have potential. 138 00:14:25,372.68516667 --> 00:14:30,352.68516667 They just need to approach advocacy and having a strong work ethic better. 139 00:14:31,182.68516667 --> 00:14:32,172.68516667 Absolutely. 140 00:14:32,172.68516667 --> 00:14:33,822.68516667 And I agree with you. 141 00:14:33,892.68516667 --> 00:14:37,92.68416667 I don't understand vandalism. 142 00:14:37,802.68516667 --> 00:14:39,572.68416667 I don't know. 143 00:14:39,572.68516667 --> 00:14:43,382.68516667 Maybe it's because I come from very modest beginnings. 144 00:14:43,962.68516667 --> 00:14:46,42.68516667 We were very poor when I was a kid. 145 00:14:46,482.68516667 --> 00:14:49,442.68516667 We immigrated from Scotland to Canada. 146 00:14:49,977.68516667 --> 00:15:15,457.68316667 And we had nothing, we had no money, my, my mom, my dad, my grandmother, my aunt all came here and worked to make sure that I had a better life, I was the only child at the time and vandalism to me is, I don't know, it's just so fruitless, I don't under this, I don't understand the concept of. 147 00:15:16,197.68416667 --> 00:15:19,497.68416667 I'm breaking something just because it's there. 148 00:15:20,347.68416667 --> 00:15:27,947.68316667 I, that's something that, that I never understood and no one's ever given me a good reason for it. 149 00:15:29,247.68316667 --> 00:15:33,347.68416667 I can understand protesting and that is everyone's right. 150 00:15:34,697.68416667 --> 00:15:42,967.68316667 And I can see getting together to protest or getting together for in my day, we're sit ins and what have you. 151 00:15:43,537.68316667 --> 00:15:46,897.68316667 And that's great, but there was no violence involved. 152 00:15:48,17.68316667 --> 00:15:49,257.68316667 I don't understand that. 153 00:15:50,102.68416667 --> 00:15:52,512.68416667 need for violence and vandalism. 154 00:15:53,52.68416667 --> 00:15:56,862.68416667 It seems counterproductive to getting your message across. 155 00:15:59,87.68416667 --> 00:15:59,397.68416667 Exactly. 156 00:15:59,587.68416667 --> 00:16:01,857.68416667 Like I say, there's a better way. 157 00:16:02,97.68416667 --> 00:16:05,757.68416667 Doing what I do is the way. 158 00:16:06,867.68416667 --> 00:16:19,997.68416667 This past year, I've been trying to emphasize with my generation and have more empathy for them because I feel they're misguided in ways that I'm sad to really do. 159 00:16:20,657.68416667 --> 00:16:27,427.68416667 Ooh, but vandalizing a campus in the name of a cause you believe in isn't the way. 160 00:16:28,87.68416667 --> 00:16:29,177.58416667 to approach it. 161 00:16:29,177.68416667 --> 00:16:30,737.68416667 It really isn't. 162 00:16:31,607.68416667 --> 00:16:33,617.68416667 No, it seems very counterproductive. 163 00:16:33,617.68416667 --> 00:16:37,697.68416667 If you want people to listen to you, to act like an animal. 164 00:16:37,827.68416667 --> 00:16:40,717.6841667 I, yeah, I don't, that doesn't make any sense to me. 165 00:16:42,717.6831667 --> 00:17:09,47.6861667 What is it that, what would be your, top three activities for Your downtime when you're not in school, when you're not writing exams or doing anything like that, what are the top three things you like to do? Whenever I'm not doing this or in school, I like playing, playing and listening to music. 166 00:17:10,277.6841667 --> 00:17:20,17.6841667 I play guitar and drums, and I'm always up to date with the latest music definitely falling politics, especially given the current time. 167 00:17:21,437.6851667 --> 00:17:25,67.6851667 And making fun YouTube meme videos. 168 00:17:25,117.7851667 --> 00:17:25,967.7851667 Ah, cool. 169 00:17:26,397.7851667 --> 00:17:27,167.7851667 That's cool. 170 00:17:28,257.7851667 --> 00:17:39,147.7851667 But what's your favorite genre of music? I definitely like some of the genre blending stuff, but like emo rap and country rap. 171

00:17:39,567.7851667 --> 00:17:39,947.7851667 Yeah. 172 00:17:40,957.7841667 --> 00:17:41,197.7841667 Yeah. 173 00:17:41,217.7851667 --> 00:17:46,407.6851667 So you know who Jelly Roll is? Oh I love Jelly Roll. 174 00:17:47,427.6851667 --> 00:17:48,217.6851667 So do I. 175 00:17:48,267.6851667 --> 00:17:50,827.6851667 He was just here in our city this summer. 176 00:17:52,242.6851667 --> 00:18:07,92.6871667 And before his concert, he went to the mental health hospital and gave them a private concert and talked to all the people and the therapists and the patients. 177 00:18:07,122.6871667 --> 00:18:16,412.6871667 And there's some amazing pictures that he took time out of his busy schedule to go interact with people. 178 00:18:17,237.6871667 --> 00:18:33,837.6871667 And I think it's wonderful to see someone who's very famous and, is hitting the charts and doing all this work musically, taking time out of their day to go visit people because it's important to him. 179 00:18:35,137.6861667 --> 00:18:38,232.5871667 And I just think that's awesome because that, to me, makes the difference. 180 00:18:39,112.6871667 --> 00:18:42,252.6871667 A musician, all that more interesting. 181 00:18:43,472.6871667 --> 00:18:44,612.6871667 I absolutely agree. 182 00:18:46,582.6871667 --> 00:18:47,902.6871667 His he's pretty cool. 183 00:18:47,912.6871667 --> 00:18:55,332.6871667 We have some great musicians here in Canada too, but yeah, he tops the list for me of people that are great. 184 00:18:55,902.6881667 --> 00:19:03,292.6881667 And over time, I really like who Miley Cyrus has grown into. 185 00:19:05,372.6881667 --> 00:19:06,932.6881667 She went through kind of a. 186 00:19:07,677.6881667 --> 00:19:14,87.6881667 bratty stage, I guess I'd say, but now she, her songs are more thoughtful. 187 00:19:14,587.6881667 --> 00:19:19,617.6881667 Much about Miley Cyrus? Yeah, I've heard her songs. 188 00:19:19,617.6881667 --> 00:19:23,987.6881667 I definitely admire how she's grown up as well. 189 00:19:26,847.6881667 --> 00:19:30,357.6871667 And so you said you play guitar? Yes, ma'am. 190 00:19:30,417.6881667 --> 00:19:30,687.6881667 I do. 191 00:19:31,217.6881667 --> 00:19:31,797.6881667 Excellent. 192 00:19:31,837.6881667 --> 00:19:38,247.6881667 And what do you play? Pretty much everything and anything. 193 00:19:39,237.6881667 --> 00:19:39,827.6881667 Wow. 194 00:19:40,557.6881667 --> 00:19:41,747.6881667 I recently picked up. 195 00:19:42,297.6881667 --> 00:19:48,57.6881667 of guitar, or again, last week, since it's been a while, and I still have the skills. 196 00:19:48,907.6881667 --> 00:19:49,957.6881667 That's excellent. 197 00:19:50,417.6881667 --> 00:19:50,587.6881667 Yeah. 198 00:19:50,587.6881667 --> 00:19:56,217.6871667 They say it's like riding a bike, right? Once you know how to do it, it just takes a little practice. 199 00:19:56,857.6881667 --> 00:19:57,227.6881667 Yeah. 200 00:19:57,737.6881667 --> 00:20:00,97.6881667 I

don't think I have a musical bone in my body. 201 00:20:01,197.6881667 --> 00:20:03,127.6871667 I just like listening to everybody else. 202 00:20:04,547.6871667 --> 00:20:08,57.6881667 My son plays guitar, but not something for me. 203 00:20:09,797.6881667 --> 00:20:16,412.6881667 So what is the message that you want to be sure and get across? By coming on the podcast. 204 00:20:18,252.6881667 --> 00:20:27,52.7881667 By coming on, I would like to get across the message of people with autism should be treated with as much kindness as anyone else. 205 00:20:27,102.7881667 --> 00:20:32,372.7871667 Not just them, but anyone going through whatever should be treated with kindness and respect. 206 00:20:32,822.7871667 --> 00:20:34,972.7881667 Cause like I said, we're all human beings. 207 00:20:35,702.7881667 --> 00:20:37,12.7881667 We're all, okay. 208 00:20:39,482.7881667 --> 00:20:55,377.7881667 So what is it that you would most like to get across to people and why you go on podcasts like I go on media platforms because I feel this cause isn't given as much attention as it should be in the world. 209 00:20:55,757.7881667 --> 00:21:04,107.7881667 And the main message I always get across to people with autism, anyone going through anything, is you are amazing as you are. 210 00:21:04,587.7881667 --> 00:21:09,837.7881667 You shouldn't change for anyone, and you should still make an effort to put yourself out there. 211 00:21:10,377.7881667 --> 00:21:13,247.6881667 And if no one else can see that, don't give them the time of day. 212 00:21:14,907.7881667 --> 00:21:16,357.7881667 That is very succinct. 213 00:21:16,427.7881667 --> 00:21:17,147.7881667 I like that. 214 00:21:18,827.7881667 --> 00:21:20,337.7881667 And you're absolutely right. 215 00:21:20,657.7881667 --> 00:21:32,257.7871667 I think it's important that we make space and time for everyone because everyone deserves to be seen and heard. 216 00:21:33,787.7881667 --> 00:21:41,967.7871667 And it only takes a few minutes to listen to someone before you realize they too have something to say. 217 00:21:44,107.7881667 --> 00:21:51,412.7881667 And I think it's just a matter of Giving people the opportunity to show you who they are. 218 00:21:51,422.7881667 --> 00:21:53,82.7881667 I absolutely agree. 219 00:21:53,132.7881667 --> 00:21:54,732.7881667 That is very important. 220 00:21:59,552.7881667 --> 00:22:02,552.7881667 Do you agree with that? Yeah, I agree. 221 00:22:03,182.7881667 --> 00:22:03,762.7881667 Excellent. 222 00:22:03,952.7881667 --> 00:22:04,612.7881667 Excellent. 223 00:22:04,662.7881667 --> 00:22:23,352.7881667 Do you do anything at college do you have a group to promote autism awareness, or do you do anything separate from school and media appearances to put forth? More information on autism. 224 00:22:24,582.7881667 --> 00:22:42,22.7871667 He, yeah, like I said, he planned fundraisers for one organization particularly called Autism Society of America, which is this organization that hosts elaborate make a wish style birthday parties for folks with autism, Down syndrome and the like. 225 00:22:42,162.7871667 --> 00:22:48,802.7881667 In fact, this is a great opportunity to promote a fundraiser on planning with a company called Soulja Girl. 226 00:22:49,467.7881667 --> 00:22:56,637.7881667 Coffee in November all proceeds from their sales will go directly towards for birthday clubs. 227 00:22:56,737.7881667 --> 00:23:02,182.7881667 They'll have Y'all want to support the fundraiser? Be sure to purchase some coffee. 228 00:23:03,412.7881667 --> 00:23:16,82.7881667 All right, and we'll make sure that we have a link to the groups you're talking about below the podcast so that people can contact them because I think that's really important. 229 00:23:16,452.7871667 --> 00:23:19,402.7881667 Getting the message out and letting people know. 230 00:23:19,902.7881667 --> 00:23:22,472.7881667 And getting, letting people know you, Caden. 231 00:23:23,492.7881667 --> 00:23:25,252.7881667 I think that's really important. 232 00:23:25,512.7881667 --> 00:23:33,522.7881667 Because, very often, people are just afraid of what they don't understand. 233 00:23:33,862.7881667 --> 00:23:35,32.7881667 Or what they don't know. 234 00:23:36,752.7881667 --> 00:23:41,172.7881667 And, let's face it, we can all be intimidating. 235 00:23:42,562.7881667 --> 00:23:46,522.7881667 If I'm having a bad day, I don't look like anybody you want to approach. 236 00:23:47,102.7881667 --> 00:23:49,62.7881667 I can look very stern and mean. 237 00:23:49,982.7881667 --> 00:23:53,752.7881667 And people wouldn't know unless they talk to me that I'm not. 238 00:23:54,352.7881667 --> 00:24:03,822.7871667 I think it's the same for people with autism, for people with Down syndrome, for people with anything that's a little different. 239 00:24:04,902.7881667 --> 00:24:11,102.7881667 I think until you get a chance to know someone, you shouldn't judge them. 240 00:24:12,992.7881667 --> 00:24:14,102.7881667 I absolutely agree. 241 00:24:15,727.7881667 --> 00:24:27,457.7871667 And I'm going to give a shout out here to Graham, who is a friend of mine is actually his mom, and his aunt are my friends. 242 00:24:27,937.7871667 --> 00:24:32,667.7881667 And Graham Armstrong is a young man who has down syndrome. 243 00:24:33,467.7871667 --> 00:24:35,447.7891667 He's in his 40s now. 244 00:24:36,37.7881667 --> 00:24:38,227.7881667 And I'll tell you, I said everybody has a gift. 245 00:24:39,537.7881667 --> 00:24:45,387.7881667 Graham has the gift of being able to remember every day. 246 00:24:46,7.7881667 --> 00:24:53,537.7881667 Every day, what happened that day, where he was, who he saw, what they did. 247 00:24:54,687.7881667 --> 00:25:02,817.7881667 And it's pretty cool, because he can remember when he was a kid and used to come shopping in our store with his mom. 248 00:25:04,497.7881667 --> 00:25:11,337.7881667 And he, it's

amazing, you can ask him any date, any year, and he'll tell you what happened that day. 249 00:25:12,147.7881667 --> 00:25:13,777.7881667 That's pretty spectacular. 250 00:25:14,277.7881667 --> 00:25:14,567.8381667 He, yeah. 251 00:25:15,127.8381667 --> 00:25:17,47.7381667 That's amazing. 252 00:25:17,227.8381667 --> 00:25:20,77.8381667 I can't even remember what happened in a week. 253 00:25:21,227.8381667 --> 00:25:24,177.8381667 Yeah, I know. 254 00:25:24,197.8381667 --> 00:25:27,237.8381667 I'm dealing with my dad has dementia. 255 00:25:27,527.8381667 --> 00:25:38,87.8381667 He's 91 years old and I've been telling him that I'm his calendar now and I will remind him what day it is and what the date is. 256 00:25:39,72.8381667 --> 00:25:44,192.8381667 And sadly, two out of three times, I usually tell him it's the wrong day. 257 00:25:45,142.8381667 --> 00:25:48,722.8381667 Because I don't even remember what day it is unless I look at the calendar. 258 00:25:50,62.8381667 --> 00:25:55,392.8391667 So you know what? It doesn't take much for humans to make mistakes. 259 00:25:56,482.8391667 --> 00:26:02,302.8391667 It doesn't take much for us to get befuffled with other people. 260 00:26:03,912.8391667 --> 00:26:23,667.1848333 But I think the one thing that we all should take with us and the last one is a little bit of humor, because if you can laugh at yourself, then it's a lot easier for other people to get past their fear and learn to laugh with us, not at us. 261 00:26:23,667.1858333 --> 00:26:26,197.1848333 I absolutely agree with that. 262 00:26:28,467.1858333 --> 00:26:29,67.1858333 Thank you. 263 00:26:29,127.1848333 --> 00:26:39,677.1858333 What sort of a message would you like to leave the audience with? I'd like to leave the audience with, you are amazing as you are. 264 00:26:39,827.1858333 --> 00:26:41,177.1858333 Keep spreading positivity. 265 00:26:41,487.1858333 --> 00:26:48,117.1858333 If people don't see that you're amazing and want to insult you for who you are, don't give them the time of day. 266 00:26:48,117.2858333 --> 00:26:51,557.1848333 They're the ones who are missing out on an amazing person. 267 00:26:54,87.1858333 --> 00:26:54,727.1848333 I like it. 268 00:26:54,897.1848333 --> 00:26:58,987.1848333 I think that is a really good thing to tell people. 269 00:26:59,497.1848333 --> 00:27:05,7.1848333 And I'm going to add to that is just maybe be a little open. 270 00:27:06,757.1848333 --> 00:27:08,327.1848333 Give people a chance. 271 00:27:08,827.1848333 --> 00:27:14,177.1848333 Don't immediately make a judgment because something's a little different from you. 272 00:27:15,432.1848333 --> 00:27:24,512.1848333 Give that person a chance, because once you meet people, you, okay, I think you're awesome. 273 00:27:25,952.1848333 --> 00:27:29,482.1848333 And I bet if you got to meet Graham, you'd think he was awesome, too. 274 00:27:30,302.1848333 --> 00:27:33,532.1838333 Or my son, or my dogs, for that matter. 275 00:27:36,482.1838333 --> 00:27:49,942.1848333 We all have good pieces, we all have bad days, we all have, different times where we maybe get stuck in an emotion for a little bit, and we have to realize that's okay. 276 00:27:50,492.1848333 --> 00:27:53,922.1848333 It's the way humans are, we have all these emotions. 277 00:27:55,92.1848333 --> 00:27:57,742.1848333 At some point, you're going to run into at least one of them. 278 00:27:59,112.1848333 --> 00:28:04,202.1848333 So give people a little bit of grace when you meet them. 279 00:28:05,602.1848333 --> 00:28:09,672.1838333 Give them the opportunity to show you who they are. 280 00:28:10,622.1848333 --> 00:28:13,632.1848333 Don't decide without giving them a chance. 281 00:28:16,52.1838333 --> 00:28:17,802.1848333 That's a great way to close things out. 282 00:28:18,352.1848333 --> 00:28:21,302.1848333 I thank you so much, Caden, for joining me today. 283 00:28:22,82.1848333 --> 00:28:29,152.1848333 We will make sure that we get from you those links for the charity that you were talking about for the birthdays. 284 00:28:29,582.1848333 --> 00:28:40,122.1848333 And also for the upcoming fundraiser, you said in November let's get all the information so we can make sure that we can help them in their fundraising effort. 285 00:28:41,552.1838333 --> 00:28:43,2.1848333 And we'll do it on your behalf. 286 00:28:44,132.1848333 --> 00:28:44,842.1848333 Absolutely. 287 00:28:44,842.1848333 --> 00:28:47,422.1838333 I'll send you the links once we're done. 288 00:28:48,452.1848333 --> 00:28:49,422.1838333 That's perfect. 289 00:28:49,562.1838333 --> 00:28:50,467.0848333 That's perfect. 290 00:28:50,967.0848333 --> 00:28:53,487.0848333 Thank you so much for joining us today. 291 00:28:53,777.0848333 --> 00:29:19,707.0848333 My guest, Caden McElwain, has joined me today to let us know there's an awful lot more to people who may have autism people may say are on the spectrum, but remember, I think we're all on the spectrum, so let's be open and let's give people a little more of a chance to show us who they are, because I guarantee you. 292 00:29:20,187.0848333 --> 00:29:22,947.0848333 If you take the time, you'll be pleasantly surprised. 293 00:29:24,477.0848333 --> 00:29:25,627.0848333 Thanks for watching. 294 00:29:25,687.0848333 --> 00:29:26,767.0848333 I'm Elaine Lindsay. 295 00:29:26,767.0848333 --> 00:29:28,927.0848333 This is Suicides and Forgiveness. 296 00:29:29,627.0848333 --> 00:29:33,367.0848333 And make the most of your today, every day. 297 00:29:33,667.0848333 --> 00:29:34,797.0848333 We'll see you next time. 298 00:29:36,87.0838333 --> 00:29:36,777.0848333 Bye for now. 299 00:29:38,790.7515 --> 00:29:43,500.7515 Thank you 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