Have you ever seen the tv show 'science abuse', it has an item on thermite every week to show how explosive it is, and how hot it burns. So it certainly could be used for nefarious purposes.
It can also be used in grenades.
I found last night that he posted on a guns forum a few days ago asking for help as his gun was jamming.
They gave him the advice needed, not knowing what he intended.
As it was the gun did jam when he aimed at one victim and saved their life.
I also found that he had posted on another forum and had given a very full physical description, he also posted a photo (though slightly distorted) on wp.
This, coupled with the fact that he had given his location, and was using his real name, would surely have been enough info for police to locate him.
Noetic said "And I really think that anyone who has not read all of Will's posts on WP, and can honestly hand on heart say they were not biased by hindsight, should shut the h*ll up about blaming the administration and making it out like he made clear-cut statements. Frankly, I am sick of the spiteful attitudes to WP - please don't tell me your hatred is not clouding your judgement here. Wow, what a great chance to jump on them. [irony]How mature. [/irony]"
I don't know what that is supposed to be about, what hatred exactly?
WP is not the whole autism community is it? And its certainly not his real life community.
Please don't try and make this personally about you, or one or two other people.
He posted that he was diagnosed at age 12. I would be inclined to believe that, but he clearly developed very serious psychiatric problems in addition to that, and he was seeking a hospital to be admitted to.
I did post earlier, in case anyone missed it, I am not saying anyone at WP is to blame, or seeking to blame anyone, parents, etc, but thinking of a way that it could have been prevented, for the future of others in his situation, desperate and asking for help.
It would be wonderful if an emergency/crisis line for autistic adults could be set up, rather than just the existing options of the samaritans/regular helpline.
It could make a vital difference.
About 1% of CAN's profit for the year would probably be enough to start one in the USA. Is it worth even asking them to consider it? Should we ask the NAS in the UK to consider something like that?
They have a helpline that is pretty much directed at NT parents and is usually very busy.
(Noetic, regarding the chat logs, a lot of people use chat software that logs the chatroom, and it keep logs until you actively delete them, so people can end up with some months of logs stored)
I have contacted CAN on a long shot that they might consider funding or partly funding a crisis line.
We could also try NAS and other large groups that get many donations.
At least if people could be directed to a professional service that has a good chance of understanding them, and giving guidance on services, it will take the emotional pressure off members of a forum, chatroom, and if someone is serious they could contact the helpline.
All isps have a contact email to report problems, including abuse, whether they take action unless they feel it is really serious is another matter.
If proof could be shown, like logs, vandalism, posts, emails, it would have more validity.
Perhaps AFF could set up a help forum for anyone who feels they are on the edge, or about to do something drastic. Anyone who posted there could have our support, and we could refer them to other places as well. It would have to be a rule that all members who posted on that forum took other member's comments seriously and refrained from making inappropriate comments that might be alright on the other forums eg. Stop trolling the board, etc.
Thats difficult to do currently, as we have no way of blocking off a forum to some members, and not others, basically minors who could read unsuitable or upsetting things.
The chatroom is always accessible and people have expressed very serious issues and emotions there, and we have a room for adults only where it would be possible to talk about it, and also people can talk privately too.
Its also a quicker medium to give real-time responses.
Positive response from CAN - this is part of the email reponse from my question about a possible crisis line for adults with autism -
We have been discussing the particular challenges individuals with
Asperger's face and where we might be able to help. For starters, we're
participating in a community meeting in Orange County this Thursday. We
have also discussed the need for more long-term services, such as a
24-hr help line. Although we're not in a position to launch such a
service in the near future, we might be able to offer some financial
support. We definitely recognize the need for such a service.
So it may be possible that in the long term a crisis line could be set up, and in the short term that they may consider helping to fund such a crisis line.
Does anyone know of major autism charities in the US that already have a parents helpline, and may be willing to set up a specialised line for aspies and auties, if funding was available from additional sources?
Well CAN only operates in the USA, so presumably they would help fund a helpline there, if they did go ahead with it.
The helpline by the NAS is hard to get through to, depending when you phone, and which day, and its not for crisis help. The samaritans do a good job and help people, but for people with autism, I think they cannot have the expertise to give specific advice.
There seem to be a lot of helplines in the USA, maybe childline and similar struggle so much in the UK because the cost of phonecalls is higher.
*curses a certain high profit company*
Thanks for posting that Stella, I tried the number and its only for Kent and Medway(sp?), so its specific for your area.
Maybe we should make a list of local and national numbers for people, and have a link from the front page of the site.
If anyone knows of such numbers, post them on this thread, then we can compile a list and have it linked from the front page.
Did you try the number, does it let you get through? I got a tape-recorded message telling me the area it was available to.
Just emailed the doc in charge of that clinical trial with all the info I have on Geodon and that William may have been taking it.
Let's see what he has to say -- if anything.
Thats a good thing to do, make them aware at the front line of research of the real consequences to people. Let us know what they say.
"Perhaps none of these things could prevent a tragedy such as the one in Aliso Viejo, she said, "but we're being as proactive as we can."
I am glad that they are now acting to make improvements, but its a shame that it takes shocking events to make changes.
I feel that part of what we do with AFF is to seek proactive changes, before potential problems arise, such as cure, prenatal testing, and being forced to register as autistic (though a similar scheme has begun already in one are in the USA).