Aspies For Freedom

*applaudes*

While I disagree with the students idea of proper, believing "autistic boy" is better then "boy with autism", I do agree that its not really an important part of the story.  I also think too many news stories make use of that information when its unnecessary part of the story, giving the impression to people its because the person was autistic that the event happend or didn't happen.

I think she was right about the headline, though.

I'm Korey's mother and I felt like I should set a few things straight here.  My son was NOT in an unfamiliar place. He was in our home. He was being cared for by my sister-in-law and her boyfriend.  My mother was in intensive care and I was at the hospital caring for her and my husband was at work. (working nights so he could be home with Korey during the day) Korey did not sleep well and he got up in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep. We had child safety locks on the doors and a baby gate blocking the kitchen. Unfortunately, Korey got through the baby gate and 2 doors and then opened the garage door.  He loved the water and it terrified me that the retention pond was across the street. We were supposed to move in a month, it just wasn't soon enough. The article, at the time, didn't upset me. What did however, and still does, is that the newspaper printed an article about water safety right below the article explaining Korey's death.  My son was non-verbal and did not understand that the water could harm him, I felt that was more insensitive than the title of the article about Korey. I appreciated the student's letter, as I do any time someone brings awareness to autism.  T

There's a lot of other things that should be made free or affordable for autistics and their carers if you ask me. But fences would be a start...

We had a large fenced in back yard. Unfortunately, Korey left through the garage as I had already mentioned. You seem to like to post threads on tragic events involving autistic children. Maybe you should be a little more sensitive to what you post.  Until you have gone through the horrible event of losing a child, you will never know how much pain is involved.  Insensitive comments, like yours, does nothing but cause more pain.

Koreysmom,

I am so very sorry for your loss.  Words cannot even begin to say.  It is what all parents fear the most.  I've had so many close calls it is amazing my heart can still beat.  It seems sheer missfortune for you that things ended as they did.

I don't think Amy knew about the water safety article being presented with the story.  I agree, I can see how that would be more hurtful, by the implication there was something more you could have/might have/maybe should have done.

Still, this community has a goal that may seem contrary to your needs at the moment, but still is valid.  The community looks at how the media presents news involving Autistics, with the wider goal of how that affects the image of Autistics in the community at large.  I don't think the community ever expects that the subject of an article might find their way here and be hurt by the discussion.

I, being more NT than AS, seem to have a different emotional relationship to news events than most of the members of the board.  I'm learning to stay away from certain threads simply because I can't deal with them.  I accept that the community as a whole is engaging in discussion of those topics for reasons I may not always be totally in agreement with, but I can respect their reasons for doing so none-the-less.

Members here can come accross as blunt about certain things, and may have an easier time discussing certain difficult topics than I do, but it doesn't mean they care any less.  Please understand that.

I don't think anything can lessen your pain right now.  Nothing.  I am just so very sorry it happened.

Gareth, I think she needs to hear things that haven't been in this thread. Personally, I would have a terrible time seeing a discussion like this if it had been my child, simply because it would seem so detached to me. I've tried to balance what I see as her needs and yours in my response to her, above.  Hopefully that helps both sides.  We'll see.  I can only try.