Evicted houseguest: ‘Autism is like my superpower’
Evicted houseguest: ‘Autism is like my superpower’
By John Powell – GlobalTV.com
A championship martial artist and all-around athlete, Britini D’Angelo took every aspect of the Big Brother competition to heart. The competition was not only physically and mentally draining on her but also emotionally. If being a passionate competitor wasn’t enough, Britini also had to work her way through the social minefield that is the Big Brother game with the added layer of her being someone who is autistic.
“I was diagnosed with autism when I was 22-months-old for having no eye contact, no social cues and I was nonverbal. I didn’t talk until it was three and a half. I think I’ve made up for it since then!” she laughed.
The kindergarten teacher from Niagara Falls explained that not telling anyone in the house about it was a deliberate, purposeful decision on her part.
“I wanted everyone in the house to get to know Britini for Britini. I did not want anything swaying their views of me because there have been instances in my lifetime where I told people that I have autism and the response is so loving, welcoming, warm and accepting but I have unfortunately told people and the reaction has been the opposite of what I have just described,” she said with regret.
Britini is hopeful that television and live feed viewers have learned and benefited from her time on the show.
“What I hope everyone gains from this is the fact that I am not defined by my disability. I was diagnosed at 22 months. I’ve been living with autism for almost 22 years of my life at this point I am proud of the woman that is sitting here but autism does not define me. Autism is like my superpower. It has made me work so much harder than everybody else to get to where I am right now. My journey has not been easy. My life has never been peaches and cream. Nothing has come easily. I’ve had to work for everything but every obstacle I’ve gone through has made me stronger, every boundary I’ve broken, every wall I’ve broken down,” she said with a smile.
Britini credits her family for giving her the love and support that has helped her achieve so much in her young life.
“My mother calls me a miracle every single day because truly speaking, me sitting here was never a possibility. If you would have told me when I was younger that I’d be on Big Brother when I was 24, I would have thought you were nuts, my family would have thought you were nuts, my doctors would have thought you were nuts. No one would have believed you because until I applied behavioral analysis therapy from ages two to five, this was not possible. I was on a completely different path. I worked my butt off. I am here but my disability does not define me. We are so much more than a label. We are so much more than a disability. The fact that is even a debate for people is beyond my comprehension because I am so much more than autism. I am Brittany D’Angelo and there are so many facets and parts about me that I’m so proud of,” she said.
What Brinti isn’t happy about though is how she went out of the game. She made a pact with Kyland and she believes he lied to her.
“His nomination absolutely devastated me because when I give my word to something, when I shake on a deal, I intend to keep that deal. There’s no clauses, no extra added parts that you add after we shake on the deal. When I came into the house I was not going to compromise who I am my morals or my character for anyone or anything. The fact that Kyland so blatantly disregarded our deal and was trying to make excuses was not right. That’s why I was so devastated. He was trying to make excuses for ways I did not understand the deal when I understood the deal perfectly. That’s the reason I started exposing the deal to the entire house and being like, this dude’s a liar. I have a jury vote that’s not going to you, Kyland,” she vowed.
It is not only Kyland that she is upset with though. Britini is sure that Sarah Beth was in on the scheme right from the start.
“Sarah Beth is a huge reason why I was up as well. She is disappointed in me because she thought I had her back? Sarah Beth turned on me first. I couldn’t trust Sarah Beth because obviously she put her own game interest and other people’s game interests over me and my teammates. She didn’t care about the people she was working with in this game. Sarah Beth had a direct impact on why I went home but obviously I was devastated because Kyland is a liar,” she said.
During her time in the house what thrilled Britini the most was that viewers awarded her with 100 Big Brother bucks last week. It made the normally talkative houseguest absolutely speechless.
“I am forever grateful and thankful that America supports me and loves me and just voted for me to have the money! I was so overwhelmed and speechless because I was so beyond thankful! So, thank you, to anyone who voted for me! Thank you to anyone who supported me throughout this journey!” she declared to all of her supporters and fans.
As a member of this year’s jury Britini will help decide who will win this season. Who does she think is playing well and who isn’t? The answers are Xavier, Sarah Beth and Hannah.
“I definitely think that Xavier is playing the best game thus far. I think that Xavier is playing such an under the radar, chilling kind of game but he’s one of the biggest threats in that house and no one’s seeing it. He truly is one of the most influential people in the house. Everyone listens to Xavier. I think the person who’s playing the worst game is a tie probably between Hannah and Sarah Beth. Hannah’s playing a very under the radar game but she hasn’t made any big moves and she is really just afraid to go against the house. Sarah Beth on the other hand she’s playing very emotional game and a lot of her character came out when she was on the block,” she concluded.
Big Brother USA airs on Global on Sundays and Wednesdays at 8:00-9:00 PM, ET and Thursdays at 8:00-9:00 PM, ET.
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