Aspies For Freedom

http://www.awares.org/pkgs/news/news.asp...=§ion=

Join in first walkathon of NAAR (UK) on July 10, 2005

WINDSOR, UK: Autism Cymru will be sending a team to take part in the inaugural walkathon on July 10 of a new charity, NAAR (UK), established after the National Alliance for Autism Research in the United States entered into a partnership with The Shirley Foundation.

A Steering Committee set up by Dame Stephanie Shirley includes members of Allergy Induced Autism (AiA), Institute of Child Health (ICH), PACE, the Tavistock Clinic, the Treehouse Trust and University College London (UCL).  The John Lewis Partnership’s Golden Jubilee Trust has kindly provided two secondees to work part-time on the project for six months.  

In the United States, NAAR annually raises several million dollars for autism research with their Walkathons, and the new charity, NAAR (UK), will hold its first Walkathon on Sunday, July 10, 2005.  The venue is Windsor Great Park  250 acres of the most beautiful parkland in England.

NAAR (UK) hopes that, as well as raising money for autism research, the day will be an enjoyable social event for families with autistic children; their friends, carers – anyone with a link or interest in autism.  As well as a number of organised walks, there will be lots of attractions, entertainment and refreshments available.

It is hoped that autism societies, charities or other organisations will want to be involved and have a stand for their literature that people can visit, to meet and talk about relevant issues.

If you would be willing and able to form a team, take a stand, help out on the day, provide an entertainment or contribute in any way, please telephone Hugh Lake, Co-Chair, on 01491 642303, email Lynn Hart, Project Administrator, at lynn.hart@naar-uk.org or visit the website:   http://www.naar-uk.org

(Sources:  NAAR (UK), Awares, January 19, 2005)

CANADA WALK
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http://www.communitylivingontario.ca/Dai.../Jan17.htm

Walk for autism research coming up in Toronto
Monday, January 17, 2005 - Michelle Strutzenberger
A fundraising walk for autism research will be held in Toronto on Sunday, May 15. The National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is calling on families and professionals to participate in this event, Walk F.A.R. (For Autism Research) for NAAR, in any way they can.

Nancy Morrison is a co-chair for the walk.

"I feel that it is very important for all of us to look towards the future to when they will find what causes autism and one day what will cure it," she writes in a press release about the event.

"If not, my daughter and, without God's grace, maybe even my son, stand a high chance of having the same life I have and I want to spare them the struggles we are all going through."

She adds that further research may make it possible to eventually find this cure. "But autism research needs financial support."

NAAR funds pilot studies and fellowships for biomedical autism research. Nimi Nanji-Simard, the Toronto area director for the organization, says that pilot studies and fellowships are key to ensuring that autism research continues.

"Pilot studies are critical to a researcher receiving significant funding from government sources," she tells Family Net.

"Fellowships are key to attract new researchers to focus their careers in autism, thereby increasing the number of scientists specializing in autism research."

People can participate in Walk F.A.R. for NAAR by joining the planning committees, volunteering on the day of the event, participating in the walk itself, or donating funds.

"This is an event that we, the autism community, can all get involved with at whatever level each one of us is able to offer," says Nancy.

Nimi says she expects there will be a huge interest from the autism community in this event. "If the NAAR Toronto Walk committee is any indication of the level of support from the autism community here, the turnout and success of the event will be unprecedented," she says.

Those interested in participating in the Walk may contact Nimi at nnanji-simard@naar.org. They may also find more information at http://www.naar.org. Walkers, team leaders and sponsors for the event will be able to register at this site within the next few weeks.

Walk F.A.R. for NAAR is the signature fundraising event of the charity organization. The first walk was held in May 2000 in the United States. Since then, more than $18.3 million US has been raised through 65 fundraising events. This is the first year the walk will be held in Canada. However, NAAR has funded autism research in Canada for some time now, according to Nimi.

"The Hospital for Sick Children and McMaster are significant recipients of our funding," she says.

Two major research projects, High Risk Baby Siblings Autism Research Project and NAAR Autism Genome Project, include a significant number of Canadian researchers. Training programs in autism research at McGill University and Queen's University are also funded by NAAR.

we are already beginning to look for people willing to take part in a protest at the NAAR walk in london.

anyone who is willing please contact myself or Amy.

I will be contacting Autism Cymru and ask them to quantify their involvement with NAAR. If they are supporting the cure group they need to make that clear to people who are involved with them, which includes many adults on the spectrum.

I have sent this to Autism Cymru, it is the main autism society for Wales, where I live -

I have been informed that you are planning to support the NAAR(UK) walk in Windsor in July. Could you please clarify your stance on finding a cure for autism, which is the goal of NAAR and the purpose of fund raising with the walk.

Does Autism Cymru support the finding of a cure for autism, do you support research for a pre natal test for autism?
I think if this is the case it is important to let people know this, who may be supporting your organization unawares of your stance.
There are many adults with autism who are against a cure for autism and against pre natal testing for autism. In fact some maybe protesting the NAAR(UK) walks at which you will be sending supporters. I hope you can respond to me ASAP. Thank you.

NAAR purports to offer "genetic counseling." It supports our extermination via pre-emptive abortion.

         I had a bad personal experience with NAAR. In 1995, it was just starting and some of its founders came out to L.A. I and my wife were invited to meet them. One of the founders, a father of a very low-functioning son, began calling us fakes because we were "too high functioning." He did that for years and worse yet, his brother-in-law knew one of my brothers and tried to turn him against me.

          Oh, the jerk who smeared us eventually dumped his son into a group home while speaking about what a great father he is, all over the USA.

            I guess you can understand why I don't like NAAR.

                                     Jerry Newport

I really wish all these so-called "autism charities" would actually help autistics rather then just NT parents.

I have had a response from Autism Cymru-

"Thanks for your email and we hope that the following response helps :

Our understanding is that NAAR (UK) is fundamentally about education and discovery in relation to the causation of autistic spectrum disorders; whereas the issues around prevention, treatments and 'cures' must be purely a matter for individuals, and their families to decide.
We are therefore pleased to learn that in relation to NAAR (UK) that they welcome constructive dialogue with organisations and individuals representing a wide range of viewpoints.  May we therefore suggest that you contact NAAR (UK) directly to raise any questions that you may have with them.
You may also wish to be aware that Autism Cymru is a national charity employing a small number staff, a third of whom live with autism and Asperger syndrome in their home lives. We therefore look to any work in the asd field to be undertaken professionally, with integrity and to be ethically sound. As a general point of principle we expect the views of people with Asperger syndrome be taken into account."

This is my reply-

Thank you for mailing me. NAAR state this as their mission "The mission of the National Alliance for Autism Research is to fund, promote and accelerate biomedical research and science-based approaches that seek to determine the causes, prevention, effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for autism spectrum disorders."

They are very specifically looking for a cure for autism, that is what the research is for. The money that they make by fundraising goes to find a cure for autism. By showing your support you are very clearly supporting the finding of a cure for autism. I think you should make that clear to people who offer donations, many people are against finding a cure and it is an important issue.

NAAR have raised millions of  dollars in the US to find a cure for autism, this is very obviously stated in their information and fund raising literature. They aim to do the same thing in the UK. They look for support and sponsorship from other large autism groups like yourselves. NAAR are not funding any programs to help adults or children on the spectrum, with education, housing or social skills.
http://www.naar.org/about/financial.htm

The huge amount of money that they make goes toward finding a cure for autism. Its that simple.
I hope you will take these matters into consideration when you support the work of NAAR and are clear to people who contribute to your charity that you do support their work.

Can I also point out that NAAR do NOT respond to e-mails or questions from myself or members of my group, so the supposed dialogue is non-existent. They refuse to even answer simple questions regarding their views or aims.