Temple

Her life-story turned movie, earned 7 Emmy Awards in 2010.
That very same year, Time Magazine named her as one of the 100's World's Most Influential People. She's a world-wide lecturer and an author of 10 books.

Author.
Activist.
Autistic.

Yes, autistic.
Those are the opening words to the movie's trailer.
Temple Grandin's life was defined and continues to be defined by this complex developmental brain disorder.

"People are always looking for the single magic bullet that will totally change everything. There is no single magic bullet."

Perhaps her mom above all else understood these words.
Temple was unable to speak until three and doctors recommended she be committed to the mental institution. Eustacia, instead, chose to embrace her daughter's unpredictable bursts of anger, normal symptoms of autistic children. She read to Temple daily, hired a caregiver to play with her constantly, and enrolled her in a speech therapy class.

It was a lonely and long journey.
Temple's dad chose to not get involved.
Eventually, her parents divorced.

Yet, a mother's love knows her child.
Temple invented the squeeze machine which many clinics use to calm down autistic patients.
She also made innovations to a cattle chute in which McDonald's, the largest processors of beef, are using because of its effectiveness. Temple eventually earned a Ph.D in Animal Science and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Duke University.

A mother's love knows her child.
And a good child does not forget this.

Temple Grandin was at the Emmy awards.
The movie was nominated for seven awards and won five.
The movie's cast and producer thanked Temple for her life.

In reply, Temple said, "Mother, stand up. I know you're nervous, but please stand up," Temple said, pointing to Eustacia Cutler. She stood, full of joy, as her daughter was recognized.

Perhaps "Temple Grandin" is a movie about a successful scientist.
Or a mother's love.

Temple would agree either way.

Photo: Claire Danes as Temple Grandin.
Post dedicated to my mom and Mary, on the feastday of her Visitation.

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