Sunny Dolen
Bio
I love to write non- fiction and activism blogs. I write a lot about Autism and LGBTQ+ rights. I also write about my feelings here. I will be doing some fiction here, soon!
Stories (14/0)
Why the Judge Rotenberg Center Should STOP Skin Shocks
The image above is a drawing of a student of the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, the JRC, getting painful skin shocks from a former employee there. Sadly, these images and stories are not made up. This is really happening. For decades, the JRC has used a device called the Graduated Electric Decelerator, or GED to send painful skin shocks to students with disabilities and students of color. This device has been deemed by The United Nations to be a torture device. This has a huge negative affect on the Autism community, because the JRC still continues to use harmful and hurtful shocks as behavioral modification. Survivors of this cruel practice will all testify against it, because the trauma they endured will stay with them forever.
By Sunny Dolen3 years ago in Criminal
Stop Firing Disabled People!
Dear able bodied employers, I was enraged by a video on TikTok of a lady crying because she was fired for being disabled. I went to her profile and saw she has a chronic illness. When you think that persons with disabilities are not meeting the demands or requirements of the job, do not assume it is because they are lazy, because they are not. Many people with disabilities struggle to find a job, let alone keep a job, because of the stigma that comes with being disabled. You need to have some disabled people on your board of directors and also hire them as managers in order to foster a safer and more accepting environment.
By Sunny Dolen3 years ago in Journal
Autism, Love, and Friendship
As I have written in a previous article, "Can Autistic People Find Love?", you probably know that I am a single on the Autism spectrum. The question, "Can Autistic people find love?" was answered with, "Yes, Autistic people can find love." And wouldn't you know, that the matter of how, exactly, is still unknown. This is not very much talked about, and we need to address this issue.
By Sunny Dolen3 years ago in Humans
An Expose on the "Actually Autistic" Community
Dear Readers, Before I jump into today's topic, let me make a disclaimer: The struggles of individuals on the spectrum who can mask are real. While some of us can mask and act more neurotypical and thus be treated better overall, it is still hard to find a job, make and keep friends, and even on some days, perform certain tasks. Yes, even those of us who are able to mask and present as more neurotypical, still have days where it is harder to function and complete seemingly simple tasks, such as doing the dishes, laundry, taking the trash out, getting the mail, etc. Yes, our grooming and hygiene may suffer on some days. Yes, it can be stressful for us to have a conversation, especially when the TV is on or the music is really loud. Yes, even those of us who are more neurotypical- passing struggle with a learning disability and have to sometimes fight the school, college, or university to get accommodations so we can pass all our classes. All these struggles do exist and are very real. But something has to be addressed.
By Sunny Dolen3 years ago in Families
All Women are QUEENS!!
Dear beloved readers, Because society is so bent on this ideal body image, we need to stop comparing ourselves and others to those who are more skinny. First of all, that is damaging to women and men alike. When they, having been told to look a certain way, diet, exercise, get on weight loss medications, chances are they have been told that through the advertisements, tv, the radio, and magazines since the age of four or five. Society in the Western Hemisphere has been pushing this certain weight, hight, skin type, hair type, eye color, and other things that promote toxic beauty standards. Chances are that young girls and women, and also boys and men, already feel insecure.
By Sunny Dolen3 years ago in Viva
Sunny's Gift Giving Guide
Getting the perfect gift for the holiday season can be really tough. We are all too familiar with Amazon, so let us look at some ethical small businesses we should support this holiday season. We all should support small business, such as black owned businesses, LGBT owned business, and ethical brands which not only support different groups of people, but are also vegan and environmentally friendly. But where do we begin? What are the small Etsy shops and small brands and where are they? In this blog, we are going to find out!
By Sunny Dolen3 years ago in Lifehack
Dreaming of Germany
Once it is safe again to go out and enough money has been saved up, I want to plan a trip to the beautiful alps of Germany and also explore the wondrous cities. I also want to go to all the cafes, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and museums there, as well as travel to the parks and gardens there. I want to travel abroad and visit what was formerly known as East and West Germany, walk along the cobblestone streets, and look at all the lovely buildings.
By Sunny Dolen3 years ago in Wander
Autism and Employment
In my story, "Autism and Transition into Adulthood", I stated that I looked for a job for a year and felt the darkness within and like I could not get out. I started working at Old Navy this year, and you're probably wondering how it is possible for me, a lowly little Autistic person like me, could ever get a job. How on Earth is little old me supposed to work anywhere? Surly, this had to be a mistake! But the Universe never makes mistakes.
By Sunny Dolen4 years ago in Journal
You are Enough
To whoever it may concern, I am writing this because I have known some people who struggle with mental health and want this message to reach the right people, whoever it is meant to reach. I am writing this because I am constantly thinking of you and I hope that the right person is reading this right now. This is especially for you.
By Sunny Dolen4 years ago in Longevity
Can Autistic People Find Love?
Dear Readers, Today, I will be asking the question, "Can Autistic people find love?" This has been a question about love that those on the spectrum have asked for many years, because it seems like for some of us, the chances of finding love and being in a relationship and even getting married are very slim or even zero. Many people on the spectrum are mystified by why non- Autistic people will not date them or fall in love with them, let alone stay in a long- term, committed relationship with them. And many traits of the spectrum include, but are not limited to, the difficulty understanding emotions, difficulty with social cues, and the challenges with communication.
By Sunny Dolen4 years ago in Humans
Autism and Transition Into Adulthood
Dear Readers, We meet again. I am Sunny Dolen. I am 24 years old and was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of three, as you already know. If you read my last story, you will know that Autism affects many people and no person on the spectrum is alike. We are all unique and have different abilities and qualities.
By Sunny Dolen4 years ago in Motivation
