Hopefully this will be the shortest post I will ever write. Hillary listened. We in the autism community asked her to recognize us. And she did. Yet again. At the the Democratic National Convention. She spoke about a mother with two kids with autism who also had cancer. Those of us with one kid with autism sometimes don't know how people with more than one, more than autism, do it. So this very short message is to thank Hillary Clinton and to remember a dear friend of mine, Lois Pilot of San Clemente, California. She was the mother of two sons, one with autism and she died at the age of 37 from cancer. She spent part of her childhood in Love Canal. We need the Democrats to fix all of this.
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When I was 7 I was diagnosed as autistic after moving to the United States - meaning I wasn't considered autistic in my first world country UNTIL I came to the US - but hey American medicine is superior right? so my parents embraced the diagnosis.
All indications are that I am not. autistic but yet I spent my childhood in the special programs for autistic children. As an adult my treatment revealed two separate unrelated things that happened to me: As I child I had asbestos poisoning and 2) I had PTSD after witnessing a violent riot as a child and was unable to speak about it.
Trauma and environmental factors were my problem.
I am sorry I did not see this sooner. Mis-diagnosis is so common. I don't know what to say about your PTSD except that I think that it is a very real illness in general. For Asbestos and other environmental stuff let me know if you want to find a DAN protocols doctor near you. You can email me from my website. We use Dr. Michael Elice in Syosset NY and as lay men and women we think he is wonderful. Obviously we can't give conclusive medical advice. BUt we can report what we know.
Many thanks to you for chiming in. BF
PS in the 1980s I wrote one of the first newspaper stories about abestos poisoning and workers at the now lamented NYC world trade center.
I would never rain on the parade of those who are saying the "A" word in media, from politicians to rock stars. I do continue to wait, however, and be cautious. This issue is too important. My family continues to somehow stay afloat in this quicksand of crisis, but it's not because of Hillary or the Democratic National Party, or even Aerosmith. I think we have the awareness now, thanks. Let's see some action in insurance coverage, education, and home supports.
Let's see an overhaul in the treatment of this multi-organ disease. Too many families are autism-aware; they need help NOW.
Kim
I agree. Getting the word out is so important, particularly if it is delivered by those who have not understood or acted on the issues in the past.
And thank you again, Kim, for working so hard as the managing editor of the daily online newpaper http://ageofautism.com
which keeps us all so well informed.
Hillary has been part of the problem. It was part of her healthcare plan back in the 90's to push for more vaccinations for infants.
She still pushes mercury containing flu shots for infants to this day.
She and Bill mentioning autism is just political pandering. "Say whatever it takes".
I'll believe it when I see it.
Barbara, it is indeed heartening to hear political figures acknowledge autism - it's a small step. You and countless other writers and bloggers have helped to get the word out that autism can be a crippling disability - as it is for your big guy Danny and for my three girls. How do those of us who have more than one with autism do it? My answer is always the same, "How could I NOT? They were always my life. I didn't expect them to become my job. Autism does that.
Kim
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Posted August 27, 2008 | 10:36 AM (EST)