World Autism Acceptance Week 2025: Sith Happens.

 

 

 

With the laydees away today at a dance performance in Stirling (ably aided by Ro) Cassidy and I were left to entertain ourselves today. 

And what a top day we've had.

As regular readers (and folk who know us) will be aware, Cassidy absolutely loves The Riverside Museum in Glasgow (especially the Sinclair C5) and today we realised there was a special "Festival of Fire" event being held by the Scottish Fire Brigade Heritage Trust showcasing both past and present Firefighting appliances and the rich history of the fire service in Scotland.

And let's be honest, what proper Autist doesn't love a fire engine? 

Alongside the fire engines (and fantastic assortment of vehicles on display) there has been of late a rather nice mini Star Wars exhibition on too, featuring a variety of droids, vehicles and characters that both Cassidy and the girls had visited previously which was finishing today so I thought brilliant we can go see that again too!

Day sorted. 

So with frighteningly good weather (for Glasgow) Cassidy (camera in hand) and myself headed to the train station ready for a day of transport based thrills.

 So did he like the Fire Engines?

 

 

What do you think?

 After driving around looking for fires and examining a frightening amount of rescue vehicles Cassidy decided to go inside, not only to visit the fabled C5 but to take one last look at the Star Wars displays.

And this is where it got interesting.

You see, unbeknown to us The Imperial Scottish Garrison were in attendance so as Cass rounded the corner expecting to see this (brilliant but static) display:

 

He was actually confronted by the real Darth Vader and a gaggle of Stormtroopers.

Those of you who know Cass will be aware that he absolutely bloody loves Stormtroopers.

 

Obviously he just lost the plot and was jumping for joy at the idea of spending an afternoon crushing the rebellion and re-enacting the hallway scene from Rogue One.

When a Stormtrooper cam over to speak to him Cass instinctively went to touch his armour and this is where it got interesting - rather than pull away (as I told Cass 'no touching') the trooper took Cassidy's hand and lent in to chat to him, offering his arm so he could actually touch and examine the suit up close.

 

 

One of the Garrison  helpers pointed out that you could get your photo with Vader and co. but as Cassidy approach them he was more interested in just soaking up the moment than posing for pictures (you could actually taste how (nicely) overwhelming it was (believe it or not some of us are sensory seekers, the opposite to how Autism is portrayed but that's another story for another time....oops I've gone all Maz Kanata, sorry).

So after a few minutes of gleeful stimming Cass decided to sit on the floor at the side of the display to watch his heroes from afar.

Yes I know we didn't get a photo of him meeting a Sith Lord but we would remember it which was more than enough.

It was then that something really special happened.

Obviously Darth Vader had noticed Cassidy's excitedly Autistic reaction and had been keeping an eye on his location because as soon as he realised that Cass had settled and 'acclimatized' to being in a galaxy far, far away, the Dark Lord of The Sith himself strode over to us, stretched out his hand and said "I've been watching you my young apprentice, come join us!" and gently took Cassidy over to join him and the rest of the Imperial troops at the front of the display.

Where he (and the others) happily let him pose, stim and examine their costumes for a good 5/10 minutes....no rush, no uncomfortableness, no complaints.

Just a group of (fantastically costumed) volunteers indulging - and encouraging - Cassidy's love of Star Wars.

It was genuinely magical to see.

 

And if that wasn't enough he ended the day chatting to Artoo before holding hands with a Jawa whilst conversing in Jawaese.

No really.

 

People who know me in the real world will know that I worked over 20 years with kids (sorry, young people) doing everything from arts/play development training to walkabout circus and balloon modelling at hundreds of huge events so I kinda know how much hard work it can be but remember the folk today were doing it for free - and in really hot bulky costumes!

But to me tho' the most important - and meaningful thing about it was that during a World Autism Acceptance Week where none of the major political parties or ministers (or anyone other than Aardman Animation  if I'm honest) has seemed to give a damn it's taken a group of characters from my favourite film series to show that there's still some good in the world.

You could say it's given me a new hope.

Sorry, I'll get my coat.

Serious Autistically overwhelmed dad tears when I got home after processing the whole thing whilst Cassidy on the other hand has spent the rest of the day bombing around the house shouting "Bowa Zootaneenee!" at random intervals whilst playing Lego Star Wars.

 Thank you members of the Imperial Scottish Garrison you've made this cynical Di'kut and his clone very happy.

 

MTFBWY