24 Comments

Gideon, I have read your cricket stuff for years and I love it. You use words and images like very few others, and I enjoy that hugely. I read, and re-read, your piece on the embroglio in the Lord’s Long Room after dozy Bairstow was caught, well, dozing, and I loved that too. But this piece of yours, personal, funny and wistful, is something else. I am now invested in the idea of your daughter’s particular interests, your engagement with them, and your parenting. Nice writing, I enjoyed reading it.

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Great article. I have two children diagnosed with autism, and can relate to much of this. Unfortunately the comments about Dan Andrews were very disappointing, and kind of ruined this for me. Lockdowns were supported by the majority of the public because they saved thousands of lives. To suggest it was just about Dan’s ego is really silly. You’re better than that. The lockdowns were certainly very difficult, including for my family. But the alternative was worse.

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We'll agree to differ on that, Matthew.

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Matthew, in regard to GH's comments regarding Dan Andrews and the Victorian experience of the Covid scenario I would agree with him 5,000% x infinity. Sadly society is now changed forever and not for the good.

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I guess that some people understood that we were in a pandemic, and had to take appropriate action to prevent deaths. Others didn’t get this, and instead blamed the person who was delivering the message. It was never about Dan Andrews, he just happened to be Premier when it happened. We didn’t have lock downs because Dan wanted to be mean to people.

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Sounds like she'd be interested in the A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs podcast. https://500songs.com/podcast/

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Would also hugely recommend that - each episode is full of information and links up so many aspects of popular music.

At least one of you may already be a fan of Pete Frame’s magnificent Rock Family Trees.

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Love this piece Gideon 💜

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Great piece Gid. I sent it to my girlfriend who has neurodiverse teenage son with similar traits. Sadly too, she has experienced the same commitment to mediocrity within the NSW school system, unable to cater for those even slightly outside the norm despite all the claims of equity and aspiration etc......

Cheers, Pilch

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Beautiful writing, thanks

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My younger brother had a similar diagnosis (is that the word) to C. Despite my parents taking time to explain to the teachers at a (fairly costly) private school, nothing was done to help his experience by changing their teaching methods even slightly. Every time it was brought up by my parents it was always treated as troublesome. I can only shudder at the way it is handled in many schools with less resources

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“Interesting, huh? Well, it is to me, because it has lately interested my daughter…”

What a blessing it is to be a parent.

What a blessing it is to be loved by one’s parents. Truly loved, that they share your life and interests, and in many ways subjugate themselves to you.

Tip of the cap to you sir. Again…

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Please tell C that I have flown Ethiopian Airways multiple times and it’s a fabulous airline. The Max crash was so devastating. Such a great country. However I found the stuff about Dan Andrews statement curious and polarising because of what it says about you as a writer. I’m from NSW so I don’t really get it but I keep wondering, why did he put that in 🧐

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No, Jane, you don't really get it.

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Ok.

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Gideon, what a captivating read. My nephew, Tom, cannot get enough of WWll history. My father was a Battle of Britain pilot. Tom met him before he passed and researched the famous battle to a point were his grasp of the B of B cross referenced with his grandfather-in-law's (you know what I mean) lived experience is unbelievably rich with insight. I mean really rich. Like C, Tom is a rare human being with special abilities. Your article throws a warm light on the continuing momentum of the concept named inclusiveness.

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Matthew, in regard to GH's comments regarding Dan Andrews and the Victorian experience of the Covid scenario I would agree with him 5,000% x infinity. Sadly society is now changed forever and not for the good.

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Loved this Gideon.

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Thanks for sharing. You sound like a wonderful dad to C

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If C is keen on learning obscure details of the 737, she might enjoy the Mentour Pilot videos on YouTube, particularly the "Boeing 737 secrets" playlist. https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiNyr6QSO28PaFW6pPSbv9P4crEtpC2tv

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Gideon, if you're in Victoria you might be interested to know that Virtual School Vic has a growing cohort of autistic students experiencing similar classroom challenges in the mainstream system. You might want to explore further but it's not for everyone.

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I’d love to know C’s opinion about cricket, in particular test cricket. With its multitude of facts and stories over more than 100 years, has she ever delved into it?

I also just wonder if she might possibly see connections or trends that we don’t see?

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