The following is a commentary by Linda J. Walder, and does not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of others affiliated with The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation.

Many of you are too young to remember the rock group Kansas and their iconic song “Dust in the Wind,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH2w6Oxx0kQ This song comes to mind in the wake of celebrities, and others in the public eye who due to their careers are in the media spotlight, and who are constantly badgering the public with their personal viewpoints and politics. The egos of these folks are so enormous that they have anointed themselves the “experts” on everything! Many of these people are not well-read, well-versed or well-eduated, but this does not stop them from using their platforms to divide our country.The lyrics of ” Dust in the Wind” are spot on for the message that all of us are simply “dust in the wind,” and that no amount of money, fame or power will change that truth.

How can we progress towards a more utopian world where we all feel valued, and where we all feel that our viewpoints, although differing, will not be berated or stifled? In the world of autism advocacy, we need to first and foremost listen to individuals and their families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Science may guide us and we should learn from what is revealed, but not to the exclusion of the day to day experiences of individuals and their families. Both research and experience are worthy informants and hopefully help to improve people’s lives. However, what is valid today, may not be valid tomorrow. We cannot learn more if we shut our minds to new research and experiences that contravene how we think now.

Those whose egos claim ownership of the truth may be in for a wake up call when their positions are rejected. The realization that we are all “dust in the wind” should be an uplifting thought of empowerment for every person who defies that sort of egotism.  In the end, what will matter is not who blew their horn the loudest, but what blew us away without fanfare or conceit.