“The tribe has spoken!” That chorus close to the tip of just about each episode of “Survivor” tells viewers when somebody has been voted out of the present. Nevertheless, that phrase took on a brand new which means for my household throughout the latest season of the competitors actuality present.
Eva Erickson made historical past on the forty eighth season of “Survivor.” She was the primary brazenly autistic contestant within the present’s historical past.
Nevertheless, her journey was greater than only a private accomplishment for her. It served as an inspiration for my 14-year-old son, additionally recognized with autism spectrum dysfunction.
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First brazenly autistic contestant
“Survivor” has been on the air in the USA since 2000 and has supplied leisure and pleasure for thousands and thousands of individuals.
My son developed his personal curiosity in “Survivor” from seeing me watch earlier seasons and YouTube collection that break down the present.
He’s requested to observe and we’ve sat down and began seasons beforehand, however he’s by no means accomplished one. Nevertheless, that modified when he discovered about Eva Erickson.
“Survivor” usually has its contestants promote the present by interviews, and that’s how I first discovered her story. It was throughout a phase on the native tv station the place I work. Eva spoke brazenly and truthfully about her analysis.
She shared the identical story with our station that she would later inform her fellow castaways when the time felt proper. She talked about being recognized at a younger age and the way her mother and father had been advised that her finest hope in life may be to marry another person on the spectrum.
Eva spoke about her resilience, pursuing hockey as the one woman on all-boys groups and later enjoying on the school stage earlier than auditioning for “Survivor.” This was a present she cherished and needed to share her story.
I confirmed the interview to my son, who was fascinated by her story. He’s a vivid boy with an affinity for chess, however he has commented on the dichotomy of autism illustration on TV.
Most reveals go the savant route and painting tremendous geniuses.
Whereas there are individuals on the spectrum who qualify as savants, the spectrum is means too huge for that to be the one illustration.
He acknowledged himself in Eva.
Constructing relationships
Throughout her interviews, Eva spoke concerning the a part of the sport with which she knew she would wrestle: the social facet. She talked about being upfront and sincere, virtually blunt, on a regular basis.
Eva mentioned she knew she would wrestle with social cues and won’t choose up on when individuals are mendacity to her, which generally is a detrimental when enjoying a technique recreation that includes voting out your competitors.
That is one thing with which my son has additionally struggled. He has a tough time making buddies, however when he does discover somebody with whom he connects, it turns into certainly one of his strongest relationships.
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Within the present, Eva bonded together with her fellow castmate Joe, a fireplace captain from California who was a part of her preliminary tribe. She advised him her story first earlier than opening as much as the remainder of her tribe.
It’s an vital facet in constructing belief within the recreation, but additionally a serious step for individuals with autism. Many might really feel like they’ll be rejected once they’re open and find yourself masking to slot in.
I spoke with my son about that scene, and he advised me he “felt seen.” He spoke about his personal struggles opening up and the way his hyperfixations and particular pursuits can usually flip individuals off.
I’ve learn quite a few weblog articles and social media posts from autistic individuals who say struggles constructing relationships make them not need to strive.
That’s why it’s nice to see a optimistic illustration of an autistic girl placing herself on the market and constructing that relationship. It’s one thing everybody wants, and autistic individuals at residence noticed it was price making an attempt.
Highly effective second
That brings us to episode 5 of the season and some of the highly effective moments I’ve ever witnessed on tv. At this level within the recreation, there was a tribe swap separating Joe and Eva into totally different tribes.
Throughout an immunity problem, Eva struggled with the ultimate aspect and began getting overwhelmed.
She was in sensory overload and was having, what she calls, an ”episode.” Joe was keeping track of her, simply wanting to assist her.
Host Jeff Probst gave Joe permission to stroll over and hug her. Joe gave Eva deep stress squeezes that helped her regulate her feelings.
After that, Eva determined she was able to share her analysis with everybody. This led to everybody on the present and even Probst getting emotional, and the response on social media was strongly optimistic because the second went viral.
This can be a second that just about precipitated me to interrupt down crying as a result of I’ve been in Joe’s place previously.
I’ve seen my son wrestle and be unable to manage his feelings because of sensory overload. My spouse and I’ve each needed to give him deep stress hugs to attempt to regulate him as a result of nothing else was working.
It additionally touched my son as he acknowledged being that overwhelmed previously. He advised me how a lot it meant to him to have illustration of his worst moments and the way to assist him.
I worry that he will probably be in that sort of scenario with sensory overload with out his mom and me round.
Seeing the way to assist him was among the finest representations that could possibly be proven on this collection.
Remaining three
Eva and Joe linked again up and had been a public partnership that managed to make it by a really troublesome a part of the sport. Joe was a bodily menace who received 4 immunity challenges.
Nonetheless, Eva made her mark as she was usually the final girl standing in bodily challenges. She received an immunity problem in her personal proper, outlasting two a lot stronger males.
Nevertheless, one other “episode” reared its ugly head for Eva within the Remaining 4 Firemaking Problem.
Throughout this stage of the sport, the ultimate immunity problem winner decides who they’ll take with them to the ultimate three. The opposite two contestants compete to see who could make a large enough hearth to burn a rope.
Eva was chosen to make hearth. When she went to apply, she turned overwhelmed and was in sensory overload once more. The collection confirmed Joe comforting her and providing to take her place, however she needed to get by it.
Through the problem, Eva began struggling once more. She made a fireplace that acquired massive however decreased in dimension, and she or he couldn’t work out why. She stored asking, “What am I doing fallacious?” whereas clearly getting overwhelmed.
With some verbal encouragement from others, she was in a position to full the problem and safe a spot within the remaining three.
Eva got here in second place within the remaining tribal council, securing two votes from jury members because of her authenticity and her means to get her opponent to cheer her on throughout a firemaking problem.
Inspiration to many
After the finale aired, my son spoke about how nice it was to see her overcoming obstacles and by no means giving up. He was rooting for her to win, though he says he didn’t anticipate her to beat both Kyle or Joe within the remaining three.
Nonetheless, she served as an inspiration to many, from my son, who has a proper analysis of autism, to me, who doesn’t.
By means of his help for her and “Survivor” generally, I’ve seen my son develop and be taught. He’s excited concerning the illustration she brings to the autism neighborhood as a complete and to him, personally.
He was speaking nonstop concerning the present and what he likes about it in a real-world context. Being open air, tenting, and fishing are already three issues he loves throughout the summer time.
As a father, I like seeing my son take satisfaction within the illustration he sees on display. We’d like extra of that in all of our lives.
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