My amazing boy who has a “pre-existing condition”– autism– has insurance thanks to the hard work, and courage of good people like John Boccieri. I will always be thankful to him, his staff and his family for all they had to put up with because of people who didn’t understand the benefit of passing this into law. Thank you!
This means more to me then you’ll ever know…
Asbury University (formerly Asbury College) is playing Fox News in the campus gym and cafeteria. When did Asbury start teaching propaganda instead of truth? When did it lose its compassion?
Shortly after college I married a fellow Asburian who declared his homosexuality a year later. He was told by an Asbury faculty member that if he got married he would be “cured” of his homosexuality. I was the victim of this declaration and yet I was able to forgive the College for its naiveté.
Now, the views espoused are attacks against my son (who is the child of my straight second husband). And that I cannot forgive so easily.
My son is on the autism spectrum. The Republican Party and its mouthpiece, Fox News, have mocked those with autism specifically and those with pre-existing conditions more generally. Leaders in the Republican Party think my son is a wrecked car with “autism”. I cannot—and will not—support a political party who values money over people. I cannot—and will not—support an institution that condones ridiculing “the least of these”.
As a result of Asbury’s shift from a conservative Christian institution to an extension of the political party whose leaders call my son—who is a gift from God, perfect and created in God’s own image—unworthy of equality; I am changing my Will so that it no longer includes your institution.
The Jesus I know doesn’t think little kids with pre-existing conditions should be discriminated against in favor of profits. The Jesus I know doesn’t hate or ridicule people who disagree with him. The Jesus I know teaches compassion and charity.
“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are not much like your Christ.” –Gandhi
Please call Asbury and tell them to turn off Fox. 1-859-858-3511 (X 2105 alumni office)
We voted yesterday. I picked my son up from school and we went together to the Board of Elections. After some great conversation with the lady at the poll, he took the e-pen and card and together we cast our vote. Since we were the only two there (besides the really nice lady) we were able to talk.
My son has met Frances Strickland– and likes her– so he was thrilled to vote for Ted Strickland for Governor. We’ve talked about the obstructionism in the Senate so he wanted to pick Fisher for Senate. And, when we got to the congressional candidates– he immediately marked John A. Boccieri and declared “That’s our friend!”
Vote Early! Vote Often! Vote Boccieri!
The Republicans think my son is a wrecked car with “autism”
Mike Huckabee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoCnxnStMpU
Sharron Angle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M46hn8qtJI
Why in the world would any family or friend (teacher, doctor, therapist) of a child with autism vote for the Tea- GOP?!
Here is the link to write Ms. Angle a little note:
http://sharronangle.com/contact
Here is the link to contribute to Harry Reid:
https://secure.harryreid.com/ee/index.php/contribute
This woman has picked a fight with the wrong people… let’s let her know!
Autism is no longer an uninsurable pre-existing condition
For well over a year we fought for the opportunity to pay for insurance for our son who has, until this month– been denied on the basis of his “pre-existing condition”. Jay has autism. He’s healthy and happy. And now… he has insurance!
I am thankful to so many who had a part in making this happen… to family and friends… to politicians and insurance companies who gave me lip service and made me angry… but, it really came down to our Congressman– John Boccieri, who took a big political chance… whose family endured threats and as recently as last week was on the front page of the NY Times with a man’s finger in his face… He voted for healthcare reform.
I don’t believe that when President Obama signed HCR he had any thought of the children with autism who were denied this often taken for granted thing– but, his signature gave my son a little piece of normalcy. For that I will always be thankful.
The Republicans have sworn to work for the repeal of HCR… This would be a huge step backwards… and, we can not allow it to happen. Vote. Stand up for those who, like Congressman Boccieri, have stood up for our kids!
Tonight, my son goes to bed with insurance. And, I can sleep knowing that what I did mattered.
One in every 110 children has autism. One in 70 boys is affected. There are almost 750,000 children in the United States who test somewhere on the autism spectrum.
In FY 2008, Federal spending on autism research was just $177 Million and is expected to increase to $282 million in FY09 due to $89 million in one-time stimulus funds… That’s less than $40.00 per person with autism in the United States.
Federal Funding for Defense Research in FY2009: $6,692 Million
“During his campaign, President Obama committed to $1 billion of annual federal spending on autism by 2012. In October, he identified autism as one of his administration’s top three public health priorities. This new prevalence data must compel Congress to take action to fulfill the President’s promise in the upcoming FY 2011 budget process,” said Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks.
It’s time to write our elected officials… and hold them to their promise. http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
Yesterday was World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) as declared by the United Nations.
While watching the evening news, I noticed that MSNBC’s Chris Mathews was wearing an Autism Speaks puzzle piece so, I started bouncing around to see if any of the other networks were honoring this day… CNN’s John King was wearing blue but, his guest, Governor Strickland of Ohio was in red… On Fox Sheppard was in pink.
My family all wore blue, my Facebook friends wore blue and the sky was even blue… but, the press (with the notable exception of Chris Mathews) didn’t acknowledge WAAD. And, I couldn’t find a single special on the topic.
It’s sad that this epidemic is a footnote– or rare news story– when 1 in 70 boys born today– 1 in 110 children– have autism. Surely they don’t think it’ll just go away if they ignore it…
Remember Swine Flu? Bird Flu? Just plain old regular flu? The numbers weren’t anywhere as high as autism’s and they led the news… funding for research and development of vaccines was astronomical but, the Epidemic that is Autism is relegated to a single line in the news casts if mentioned at all.
Don’t get me wrong– I appreciate any positive mention of accomplishment or discovery but, I wish that the attention given to comparatively minor outbreaks would be given to this disorder– and the boy who has autism that is dancing in my kitchen as I write.
When the 1 in 110 is enters the workforce or applies for government assistance they will notice… it will be the lead story… I hope it’s not too late for this generation of children with autism.
I challenge you to write a letter to the editor of your local paper, post a blog, write your elected officials and/or tell your Facebook friends what autism is, how it impacts those you love. Let’s talk about autism– let’s demand the attention this epidemic deserves!
The inclusion of behavioral health services and ending of “pre-existing conditions” in the new Healthcare law are a really good start– and very appreciated by my family.
As our Country moves on to Education reform let us advocate for increased and improved education for children with autism. Let’s insist that colleges provide supports needed for those with autism to succeed. We, the people, the grassroots advocates for our children–can make a difference.
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…
