Aspies For Freedom

I support Cure Autism Now because I am autistic.

I oppose Cure Autism Now because I am autistic. This means I value and respect my people. I wouldn't want my people and their ways to be thrown away.

And supporting CAN means that people will work for me to solve this mystery.

Autism is no "mystery". It is no "puzzle". It is what defines a person. This "mystery" you speak of is simply that. There is no cause, there is no cure. CAN only cares about money and good ratings, not you. They won't bother working with you, you're high functioning, which means you're not one of the stereotypical "moaning retards" they're looking for.

And even if they do, they under or overestimate you and give you assistance you don't need, and you will feel trapped, unable to get rid of what you asked for.

Pretty much, the only people who can help you overcome your weaknesses are your friends, family and yourself, not some cheap shrink that seems to think that restricting is the right way to go with Autistics.

I am high functioning.

I'm high functioning, too. If you are high functioning, you would realise that your Autistic weaknesses are a part of you, and that you have Autistic strengths, too. Would you really throw those away? You can combat your weaknesses on your own. You don't even need medication to do it (I have done it, by learning to steer the way I think to a reward)

It should also be noted that Low Functioners on the spectrum are also highly intelligent people, as intelligent as us. It is unfair for most to be locked up in institutions, unable to use their intellect to support themselves.

And really believe that there is a cure out there--waiting to be unlocked.

Tell me, is there a cure for being different and not being another mindless drone (Disturbed's words) of society? Is there a cure for enjoying yourself the way you do? (stimming) Is there a cure for being yourself? Is there a magic spell, potion, or surgic treatment that will make you a "perfect" human? If not, then there is no cure for being Autistic.

"President Bush's signing of that bill brings hope to all of us!"

Bullshit. Enough said.

~*~

I remember when I told my teacher that the Combatting Autism Act was passed, and she said, "FINALLY!" As if someone had finally decided to throw out an object she didn't like. I was repulsed when she said that. It was as if she wanted Autistics to be thrown away like trash. Because they were broken and unwanted. Different.

"And supporting an organization such as CAN will help kids all over the world gain the skills they need to function in the world."

Uhh, how does pumping up kids full of anti-mercury crap help kids gain social skills? It doesn't.

Something that makes me suspicious is the authorship of that article. How do we know (on an impersonal thing like the Net) that it was written by a real autistic?

Also, there was a time when I would have felt the same. But I changed my mind long ago.

We don't know that it was written by a real autistic... But then, we don't know anybody on the Net is "a real autistic". For all I know, all of you are NT, and I'm the only Aspie on here. (Very unlikely, of course. But theoretically possible.)

What I do know is that autistics are diverse in their opinions, just like anybody else. Look at us, and you see an example. Why should not some of them no longer want to be autistic? Disliking some aspect of yourself and wanting to change it is common enough; cosmetic surgery, self-help books, and New Year's resolutions are proof of a certain tendency towards dissatisfaction with who we are. I'm sure autistics who do not want to be autistic exist, and may even be a significant part of the autistic population. After all, if you are told that autism is a horrible disease, all your life; then you will begin to believe it... especially if you are on the Spectrum and think literally, and have a hard time distinguishing between opinion and truth. And when you have problems because you are autistic, then you will focus on the problems and not the benefits; because autism has been portrayed negatively to you all your life.

Whether this comment was really written by an autistic person is really beside the point, because there exist autistic people who do not want to be autistic, and would be cured if there were a cure. I don't know whether they are psychologically healthy--I am sure low self-esteem figures into it, and so does the way others regard autistics--but I know that they must exist, simply because there are so many of us and we all think differently.

Once upon a time, I felt exactly the same as the person above. (Now, not so much.)

I wish I could delete my above post, because I just re-read and it came so far from saying what I really intended to say.

...Because I would not want to begrudge ANYONE their diverse opinions. The danger comes not from when people have different opinions, but when they try to force those opinions onto you.

I saw something on the telly the other night, where one man was interviewed, and he felt so GUILTY that he'd passed on the genes for AS to his grandsons.

That is the kind of thing I find sad.

Don't worry about it. We all know the lack of Edit button is severely annoying. Anyway, your explanation gives us the full picture with your second post.

Who on earth IS a good running canidate for president in '08?

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.

Do either of these support (neutral re. cure) schools for autistic kids?

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Since I'm a Lightning fan and the Washington Capitals are one of our rivals, I root extra-hard against them because their goalie founded Athletes Against Autism. DOWN WITH KOLZIG! BLAAAAAAAAAGGGH!

Now they even have Art Against Autism! I know for sure that many autistics are exceptionally great artists. Shame on this sponsor.

http://ww w.artagainstautism.org/Home%20.html

What the HELL has this world come to?!!!

Sarastic view of sophisticated thought processes involved in curebie justification of need to remove the threat of Autism.

. Brown eyes are dominant.
. Blue eyes are not.
> Brown eyed parent and blue eyed parent have brown eyed babies.

Therefore blue-eyed babies with at least one brown eyed parent, do not fit their function ie. to prove the rule. All such babies should be deleted from the sample in order that the rule not come into question again. Deletion would also ensure that no-one remembers that the rule came into question.

Therefore, we promulgate these rules for living in an ASD free world:
1) Remember, we do not ever want to challenge the rules.
2) Remember, if you do feel the urge to challenge the rules, see this example of what happens to the results of your success.
3) REMEMBER: If you do choose to challenge the rules, you will be terminated.

Thank you for your time.
Have a nice day.

If 'they' develop a cure, who would have the say as to whom it should be applied?

If our 'illness' occurs in utero, will 'they' insist on aborting us, or perhaps perform (expensive) surgery on us while still in the womb?
If our 'illness' is found to be caused by something in or missing from the food chain, will 'they' remove it or replace it, or whatever using money 'already earmarked', or will they demand major financial support from government?
If our 'illness' is found to be related to the water, or the air, or the whatever, who will fund the fix? Parents? Those people who have been fundraising for a cure for years? Us?

What will they do with those of us who missed out on their cure?
Educate us? Help us? Provide appropriate support to help us to achieve?

Or,
Eugenics again?
Financial and other supports withdrawn if we refuse to be cured (or sterilised)?
Ostracised? Sent to live on an island? (Elba? Australia? New Zealand?)

Maybe they could put us in the space program like the dogs and monkeys they have sent up with no food or water or a way to come back?

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).