Zoom Autism Magazine Issue 1 Fall 2014 | Page 31

Conner: When did you know or found your passion? Who helped you with it? Temple: I visited my aunt’s ranch and was exposed to both beef cattle and the West. Conner: Change can be difficult for anyone and everyone. What did, or do, you do to help you get there? Temple: Gradually change to new things. Conner: You mentioned (in a different interview) you do not like some clothes that are scratchy. What do you do to fix this? Temple: I buy clothes that are soft or wear soft shirts under scratchy clothes. Conner: Who or what is your safe zone? Temple: In my twenties I watched Star Trek in the late afternoon for one hour. Conner: Many people stim or jump when they are overly happy. Do you have something you do? Temple admiring Conner’s published photography at the Autism Society’s National Convention. Temple: I sit and read. Conner: When you started advocating, were you nervous for words to come at first? Temple: If you keep doing it, it will get easier and easier. Conner: You are on the road traveling a great deal and meeting people. Do you always like to pose for pictures and shake hands? How do you deal with it? Temple: You need to practice greeting people. When I was your age, I served as a hostess at my mother’s parties. Conner Cummings is a professional photographer in the Metro DC area as well as a special needs advocate and a changer of laws. He writes on his Facebook page, Conquer for Conner. He and his mother are working diligently to have Conner’s Law passed, which would replace a poorly written child support law in VA that provides a loop hole for adults with special needs and other disabilities over the age of 18. They hope to take Conner’s Law to a national level, similar to what happened with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more about Conner’s Law and how you can help, visit their change.org page. Zoom Autism Through Many Lenses 31