New York Triptych

Tara and I had an absolutely fantastic trip to NYC last month. This was our first trip with just the two of us, and so it was a huge milestone for me. We were a bit worried about my regulation, but I usually am so captivated by travel that I am generally more regulated while traveling than at home. This was true for this trip, and Tara was absolutely fantastic at helping me manage my small flare-ups. I feel so much more confident in my regulation and traveling capacity now!

I wrote these poems in Central Park and Bryant Park among such pulsating energy and I hope you enjoy.

New York Triptych

Subways go whoosh

Here energy of crowds

Throbs and heaves

And swirls and its updraft

Lifts spirits and dreams

Above its gritty pavement.

Tourists in a big city

Here I am with you

Far from our native habitat

And in such different surroundings

And immersed in unfamiliar crowds

And yet feeling unifying truths

Whirl around the

Corners of each block.

No time for Times Square

Here we rest among restlessness

Among chaos thinly constrained

By surficial niceties

Among trees that are somehow

Still reaching skyward

Earnestly

Despite their rigid and forced and

Contrived

Habitat.

Father’s Day & Grief

Today I think of my Papa as I most love to remember him: My best cheerleader! He was so full of vibrant joy and optimism, and so enthusiastic about our little routines. He staunchly defended me at all times. He was delighted by our friendship. He made me feel worthy of genuine interest. He was an irreplaceable light in my life. As an autistic boy, his friendship meant the world to me.

I miss his physical presence beyond anything I have ever felt. But I have his spirit with me. This poem is about his spirit in my life.

Happy Father’s Day. I love you, Papa!

You and Your Spirit

So much, so much, so much
You are so much
In my life
In your life
In your afterlife
Between our past and future.

Danny K. Whitty

The Ocean & Us Ep7: Future Ambassador of the Seas

Friends! I am so thrilled to be back with another episode! Meet Dr. Melania Guerra, an oceanographer, engineer, and science diplomat. She shares her amazing breadth of experiences from outer space to the poles, thoughts on science diplomacy, pride for her home country Costa Rica, and her dream of being the ocean’s ambassador. Thank you, gracias, Melania for a beautiful conversation!

Interview with That Au-Some Book Club!

Earlier this year, I was very excited to be interviewed by Meghan (Not An Autism Mom) for the wonderful group That Au-Some Book Club! Tara and I were invited to share a bit about The Ocean & Us Podcast, but also mainly to talk about our experiences with Spelling to Communicate and how it has changed out lives. Meghan is such a thoughtful interviewer and the That Au-Some Book Club community is so welcoming. I so enjoyed this!

Please enjoy this recording of our interview!

Exciting News: Leo in Bloom Magazine launch!

Friends! Something very exciting has just launched: Our new online magazine, Leo in Bloom! We are so thrilled to share this heartfelt project with you!

Leo in Bloom is a monthly publication about empathy in its varied forms across diverse realms. I am the Editor-in-Chief and contributor, along with my brilliant sisters. The first issue’s theme is From Awareness to Acceptance, published at the end of April to encourage continued focus on Autism Acceptance beyond this month.

Please take a look, subscribe, share, and enjoy!

Next issue’s theme (to be published June 1) will be “clouds.” We welcome submissions from all!

The Ocean & Us Ep6: Untangling Ghosts

Meet Thanda Ko Gyi, founder and project director of Myanmar Ocean Project and all-around cool and inspiring person! She leads efforts to clean up ghost gear from Myanmar’s waters and to work with communities to find long-term solutions to the ghost gear problem. She is also an awesome diver and advocate for the oceans!

This episode is particularly meaningful because our guest and other friends in Myanmar are now struggling under the military coup in Myanmar. Please think of them as you watch. We are thinking of her and all who are affected.

Learn more about Myanmar Ocean Project here: http://www.myanmarocean.org/​ and https://www.facebook.com/MyanmarOcean

The Ocean & Us Ep 5: Listening to the Seas

Welcome back to our journey! We are so thrilled to share our conversation with a very special guest. Dr. Elizabeth Henderson is a Bioacoustic Scientist at NIWC Pacific who studies cetacean behavioral ecology and vocalizations and analyzes how noise (mostly manmade but also environmental) impacts their behavior. She is also the proud Best Buddy of a Mr. Danny Whitty! Join us to learn about beaked whales, discovery, cool ships including one that flips, dolphins as age groups, and friendship! Thank you, Liz, for being our guest!

Spring to Spring Stew

These days of winter shifting to spring are full of fluctuations and freshness and remnants of coziness. That is my motivation for this recipe. This dish captures the transition from winter to spring. We enjoyed this with panko-crusted vegan “chicken” cutlets, but it would also be nice with a light fish dish. Enjoy!

½ onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 potato, diced
3 carrots, diced
1 fennel bulb, diced
A lot of broccoli, chopped
4 cups plant-based milk
Bouillon to taste
5 Tbsp nutritional yeast
3 Tbsp lemon zest
1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Cashew cream as desired
Liquid aminos or soy sauce to taste

1. Brown onions lightly in olive oil
2. Add garlic. Stir. Cook until fragrant.
3. Add potatoes and carrots. Stir for a few minutes.
4. Add plant-based milk and bouillon
5. When potatoes and carrots are just starting to get soft, add: fennel and broccoli, nutritional yeast, zest, and thyme
6. Thicken with cashew cream if needed
7. Add liquid aminos, soy sauce, and/or more bouillon to taste



The world-expanding gift

The people in my life are like my angels! The people in my life are my hope for humanity. They are the manifestation of all that humanity needs to thrive. Their wonderful and vibrant hearts truly are the magic needed to transform our world!

Though it seems so saccharine, this sentiment rings true even upon more intellectual reflection. Beyond their obvious kind and loving natures, they possess true empathy and mindful compassion. This is beyond kindness, beyond caring; this is the genuine effort to understand me and to respect me as a complete person. That is real love in its true form.

Take any problem in our troubled world. I can think of how empathy can improve it. Think of any war. Think of environmental destruction. Think of inequality in all of its forms. These can all be traced to inadequate empathy. The act of empathizing includes not only understanding but also respecting and truly caring about the perspective and experiences of others.  This seemingly simple act is somehow so challenging for many of us without practice! That is such a mystery to me. Thankfully, there are so many resources and inspirational people who can guide us to practice more empathy in our lives!

The act of empathy is one of the most precious and meaningful gifts you could ever give to anyone in your life. Don’t be afraid of the possibility of diving into someone else’s world! And when you do, you might find that your world has grown!