My Son Is Not My Cause… But…

We’re heading to Maryland for Spring Break– close to DC and are going to do some touristy things like the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum and a few of the monuments. My inclination is to skip high security places like the Capitol because I don’t want J to be uncomfortable and then have it all go down hill from there but–

The politicians running for the Presidency aren’t talking about Autism. Congress isn’t doing anything substantive to help folks dealing with Autism. Maybe a fit in their hallowed halls would do them some good… “Hello! This is life. This is J’s life– what are you going to do to help him? What are you going to do about the 1 in 150 who will be adults with Autism in the next 10-20 years? Face this– it’s real!”

But, J is a child. He isn’t a cause. He isn’t a show and tell prop. He is my son.

How many parents have taken their children to the Capitol– or the gates of the White House (they don’t offer tours anymore) and asked for help for their children and for the thousands of others who also live with Autism? I wonder if it was worth it for them? I wonder if their children’s discomfort mattered or if they were so caught up in their cause that they didn’t notice…

It’s not worth it to me… sorry. It’s just not worth making my child suffer to make a point that I’m sure many others have already tried to make… And, frankly, there hasn’t been enough impact on our elected politicians. 

Isn’t it amazing that the campaign trail isn’t bustling with talk of Autism? If the statistics are true you’d think they would court the vote of families touched by Autism…. 1 in 150. That’s a lot of voters… parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, neighbors, friends, classmates and– don’t forget the many who have Autism and are of voting age!

Forgive me– I’m on a bit of a rant.  I just don’t understand how Autism hasn’t been a topic in any of the Presidential debates… Clinton, Obama and McCain should think of the 1 in 150– even if all they want is to be elected.

I’m not myopic– Economy, Environment and Education matter– a lot. Iraq matters. Healthcare matters.  But, in all honesty– they all mater to me from the perspective of my son who has Autism. 

Economy: We need to be able to provide for him and ensure that he will be ok when we are a memory.

Environment: He needs to have a good quality of life– food, water, fuel… beauty.  

Education: He needs to receive a quality education so that he is employable, well rounded, and even has the knowledge for intellegent conversation.

Iraq: it must end before a draft is imposed and he turns 18. It needs to end so that there is money in our coffers for infrastructure, assistance if he needs it… It needs to end.

Healthcare: it is out of control. Even for those of us who pay for coverage– deductibles, how many therapy sessions are covered (never enough), emergencies (the lip, the elbow…) and it needs to be available to him if he isn’t able to sustain a job with benefits…

Selfish as it may sound– politics, government, issues pertaining to health, lifestyle and safety only matter to me in so far as they affect my son.

I guess it all goes back to  my concerns about his ability to sustain a good life when I’m gone. Do all parents–those with Autistic children or “neurotypicals” (Whatever that is– Can anybody show me “Normal”?!)– worry about this stuff? Did my parents worry that I wouldn’t make it?

Well, J is not my cause. He is my son.  Maybe we’ll start with our County Commissioners…

Another Debate With NO Mention Of Autism

How is it that the candidates get off the hook in relation to Autism in debate after debate? We know the statistics: 1 in 150 children born in the US are diagnosed with Autism. It affects more of us than the issues they spend so much time on… I can’t speak for you but, Autism matters more to me than campaign finance reform and Yucca Mountain.

Having said that– if I lived at the foot of Yucca I might feel differently… But, do 1 in 150 children born in the US live in an area that would be affected by nuclear waste? So, why spend so much time on the few and refuse to tackle issues that matter to the many? This is a national campaign.

I ran a search on Google “Candidates Debate Autism” and the top result was mine… what’s the matter here?  I’m looking for answers to the subject that matters the most to me and have to really dig to find out what these candidates believe– as far as what they would do; digging isn’t enough– they really don’t appear to have a plan that would help those of us who are already dealing with Autism.  

Clinton says she’ll find out what causes it– Great! But, J already has it. 1 in 150 already have it. That’s great for future kids and their families. Finding out what causes it may lead to better treatments– even a cure. (Let’s not debate “cure”, ok?)

Humor me here– When the cause is discovered and treatments are identified many of us will need help to access these treatments. Will Mrs. Clinton demand that our insurance, social services, school systems provide these treatments? Or will it be another instance in which only the wealthy few will be able to access it?

What about Autism?

Why aren’t they talking about it?

I understand that the economy is in the toilet. I understand that people are dying in Iraq. I understand that we need to save this planet before we have ruined it beyond repair. This is all very important– VERY important.  But, are any of the issues we are facing as a country more important than this generation of kids? (If they think there is a shortage of soldiers now– wait until 1 in 150 soldier aged people in the US are Autistic.)

How can we get the candidates to talk about Autism?

As I have said before– I am an undecided voter. The issues that matter the most with me are the Economy and Autism.  So far, no candidate has said anything that will keep me from writing in “Colbert.”

Many thanks to those of you who helped me get a question to MSNBC!

Tuesday Debate–Please Help Me Ask About Autism

I’ve been trying to get a question onto the MSNBC form and keep getting an error message… Could you help me ask the following question– or something like it:

I am an undecided voter. The issues that matter the most to me are the economy and Autism.

What will you do for the middle class insured who can not afford the “extra” services (therapy, equipment) our autistic children need to succeed, can not qualify for assistance because we fall above the income cut-off, and who’s insurance does not cover these needed “extras”?

Here is the link to the MSNBC form http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22574335/

From the MSNBC Website: “Watch the Jan. 15th 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Debate — the first debate since the New Hampshire primaries — on MSNBC TV and MSNBC.com to see if your question is asked.

Brian Williams will be the moderator and he will be joined by Tim Russert.   Natalie Morales will ask the candidates your questions.

NBC News, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 100 Black Men of America, IMPACTO, the African American Democratic Leadership Council and the College of Southern Nevada will co-sponsor the debate among the Democratic candidates. The debate will take place at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas, Nev., from 6-8 p.m. PST.”

Thanks so much! Please let me know if you were able to get through…. thanks!

Hey! Candidates– watch this before you finalize your healthcare plans!

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214