This is from CAN's newsletter:
Why I Support Cure Autism Now
I support Cure Autism Now because I am autistic. And supporting CAN means that people will work for me to solve this mystery. I am high functioning. And really believe that there is a cure out there--waiting to be unlocked. President Bush's signing of that bill brings hope to all of us! And supporting an organization such as CAN will help kids all over the world gain the skills they need to function in the world.
Thank you for helping make this project work!
My question is, what can we do to help Aspies and Autistics feel that they are valuable as they are? What can we do about self-esteem? I know it's hard when there is so much negativity in the media and autism organizations. I know that I get my feelings hurt when I see groups called things like, "Atheletes Against Autism," etc. It's really sad!
What's also really ironic about what the person said in the newsletter is that CAN does nothing to help kids gain skills; they don't fund schools or tutoring, or anything really useful that I've found.
People have no idea of what a cure could be, so why support it?
Many people supported the "March of Dimes" so many years ago. People, including my mother, were very angry and disappointed when the research ended up with prenatal genetic testings when they were very very pro-life (against abortions). They felt they were being lied to.
My mother tried to get me help from them when I was having a lot of trouble with my lungs after I was born.
They basicly said they don't care about babies once they're born.
Sorry, who wouldn't help your family? the March of Dimes or Cure Autism Now?
from the March of Dimes website: "The March of Dimes is a leader and pioneer in the fight to save babies. We have an outstanding track record of success and we are prepared to accomplish even greater things in the future to solve the problems of prematurity, birth defects, and low birthweight."
Yeah, they don't care about babies after they are born. They just preach about women should take folic acid during pregancy and not smoke etc. They also have a section about autism on their site too.
CAN also does not give money to familes affected by autism. It mostly funds research but 80% of the public thinks they do. People don't bother to research charities.
No CAN does not give money to schools for autistics as far as I know.
You can go to CAN's website and see exactly where there money goes. They have a list of research grants there and their most recent income tax receipt.
Actually, I have not heard of any charity that gives money to schools for autistic children, programmes for autistic adults or help to families for respite care etc.
Most of the focus for the big charities is research for genetics and treatments --- anything that big pharmaceutical companies will benefit from. So I wonder who the really big money donors are? -- pharmaceutical companies. No doubt they would profit greatly from diagnostic test kits and drugs to "cure" autism.
VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY
VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY
VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY
Holy crap.....! O.o;;;
What do you mean? Does CAN or March of Dimes give moeny to support schools for autistic kids? I don't know. Look on there websites.
Recently I have seen fund raising events that were for "funding research and treatments for autism." -Nothing about cure. But it could still be a lie. The research could be used for cure. There is no control over what genetic research can be used for.
Last year it was suggested to me that I go to the commonwealth rehab service (CRS) that helps people recovering from disabilities find work, gain skills etc.
I stopped going after 2 sessions, mainly because I never really wanted to go their in the first place, but also because in the middle of the second session i realised how stupid the choice of the CRS was for me.
It struck me that I wasnt in rehab from anything.
And since AS is practically built into me, not only can I not be 'cured or 'reformatted', but its not something to be cured at all.
Same thing here. No help to me either. That was years ago and I see they haven't improved
hrick writes:
Is Autism Something for Cure?
It is a difficult question. The parents I am sure would say yes, please. I can not blame them for that. It is only natural not to want to see a loved one suffer. Making a good argument for autism is difficult unless you are of my belief that we are all with purpose beyond ourselves, typical people as well. Even “normal” is not normal. Each has his own strengths and weaknesses. Nothing is without purpose to my mind, whether it be to develop self or others. Even seeking a cure is with outside purpose.
Only to exist changes the question to one of whether you are worthy just as you are. Political niceties aside, it goes to the heart of humanity. How we care for others is the true measure of self. What is your measure? (I suggested he might want to stop his commentary here as I thought it would make for a good ending spot, but he said no and continued) Is it all too much to ask to honor God’s creations just as they are? We test tube this and euthanize that to make Gods of ourselves. It is a farce of hells making. Only God sees all the connections. Only he knows each of our purposes one to another. I am not God; just a tiny piece of him. We kill him every day in aborting new life, even “normal” life. Why then should I as an autist expect better treatment. The issue is not one of cure, but one of humanity.
the group "athelets agaisnt autism" pisses me off, Im positive there is some great athelete out there on the spectrum...and just...ner...
Aren't you on the varsity soccer team at your high school?
Aren't you on the varsity soccer team at your high school?
FINALLY!!! i was JV for the longest time despite being the best player in the school. They dont support ADHD behavoirs I guess, they were "waiting for me to mature" or some f***tarded thing like that. And even now I dont get any playing time, and when Im on the bench the other team scores, and when im in they dont, Why the hell doesnt coach get it??! And Im on the bench and they score, I feel so angry cause the other defenders dont know how to stay on their marks like I do. And then to top it off coach gets OVERLY angry at me for being restless on the bench, well excuse me Im trying my best to be patient.
Last year it was suggested to me that I go to the commonwealth rehab service (CRS) that helps people recovering from disabilities find work, gain skills etc.
I stopped going after 2 sessions, mainly because I never really wanted to go their in the first place, but also because in the middle of the second session i realised how stupid the choice of the CRS was for me.
It struck me that I wasnt in rehab from anything.
And since AS is practically built into me, not only can I not be 'cured or 'reformatted', but its not something to be cured at all.
Same thing here. No help to me either. That was years ago and I see they haven't improved
Back in 2004, I was referred to CRS as part of a return to work programme. They weren't too bad but I don't think the worker realised I would never get better from having autism.
I guess they were just trying to get me back up to the standard I was before being sent on long-term leave late in December 2003 due to severe stress issues exacerbated by bullying in the workplace.
A cure is an impossibility.
We talked on another thread about how a clinical dianoses of autism does not reflect the etiology, and that the real picture would be made up of hundreds, possibly thousands of different components that make everyones autism a bit different? Well - without a good working definition that fits a standard etiology then you cannot have a cure. QED.
Believing in cures is like believing in the tooth fairy.
I do not really give serious consideration to a cure, but I do think about the possible causes.
In the meantime, there are things that can be done to reduce the impact on an individual and improve our quality of life. Most of those do not require huge investment, but do require commitment and co-ordination. Rather than providing and offerring access to positive supports, the curebies seem to only be interested in raising money for their organisation (on the basis of fear or repugnance).
Well, the curbies are going to stay delusional about a cure, and the researchers are going to keep taking the money for thier research without bothering to enlighten the curbies that there's no way realistically that there can be cure, or even pre-natal screening.
Let them get on with it. We'll get a better diagnoses that fits an actual indivudal picture eventually, which should be useful for clinical services and provision on the care side.
In the meantime, we have to campaign for better services and forget the delusional curbies. They take up too much of our time and attention, and require seriously tinfoil to deal with them.