[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

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[Barbara Rodrigues]

Oh,it is so sad that this poor father has felt so bloody helpless that this is his only option. My heart breaks for him and his family. I had no idea of his health issues.

Roxanne you are right though -unfortunately if he goes into a coma and dies -he will get one day of major publicity and then some residual follow-up but he won't help his son (as politicians don't care and will say 'tsk, tsk, how sad but oh, well..) and his wife will be left alone and that poor son….

Do you remember the family up here (in Kelowna) they just wanted some funds to care for their adult son from MCFD – they were denied-he could be put in a home but they couldn't face that-they were getting older so they were worried about his future – so they all got in their motorhome (the son loved being in there and listening to country music) and the father routed the carbon dioxide in and they all died?? Bet you can't remember their names – I cannot. It was big news for a day and there was talk of change,etc. As we all know -nothing changed.

This reminds us that we all need to keep fighting and remain strong – indeed be there for each other as Cathy mentioned – but work so hard to get this system changed. Lives have been lost in this battle – too many due to the frustration and lack of help – let's not let there be one more.

On that note – I want to again thank Jean and all those of you that are working so hard to make a real change for our kids. I know it must be hard to be away from your families and your home. Thank you for all the time you take out of your lives to help us all.

Stefan – my prayers are with you and your family.

Barbara

[Brad & Roxanne Black]

Regarding Stefan,
We cannot support this hunger strike, do people realize he is diabetic and he will die!!!!!!!!!!!
This family needs legal assistance to help get their son into the treatment that he desperatly needs. Stefan needs to go home and we need to step up and help him fight this matter the smart way. His wife is at home caring for Simon, what about her, she must be going through hell right now while he starves himself to death. What good is that going to do for Simon if his father is 6 feet under.. There are parents who are working on this as we speak, plans are being made, email Jean if you are willing to help, this hunger strike is going to kill him, he will be top in the news for a day and then everyone will go back to their lives, except his family!!!

[Lis Louwrier]

Dear Cathy

I am writing again. I just got off the phone with the Times Colonist and spoke with their news editor. The editor I spoke with, said he will research this and I hope there will be coverage here in Victoria. As a former editor from the US, one thing that struck me is how much the US media bombarded the public with information on autism and the level of understanding and assistance increased tremendously as a result. Jean and all the dedicated parents working on Medicare for Autism Now are employing this strategy and if we support them by writing our own stories, contact local our local papers, etc, we will enable them and enable all of our children. Sorry if my post sounds naive, I have not worked in 8 years to care for my son, however I am trying to think of ways to help from my own home.

I wish everyone luck in their corner of BC.

Lis

[Lis Louwrier]

Dear Cathy,

I read you post and think you are right. If everyone here contacts relatives and friends in Ontario that would help too. In addition, I will see if my local paper would be willing to give this any coverage.

All the best
Lis

[Mike & Jean]

About Stefan Marinoiu:

I can report that a number of parents are trying to assist Stefan and his family in very practical ways, which means getting his son into effective intervention •••.a.p. I met Stefan and his family while in Ontario and can say that his son needs serious intervention and treatment. His son's needs far exceed "ABA in the schools" or "reducing the Ontario wait-lists" A number of people, including some from BC, are trying to EFFECTIVELY assist Stefan and his family get what they need. In order for that to happen, Stefan needs to be healthy.

I admire Stefan's tenacity and understand the circumstances which have driven him to this act of desparation. Stefan's situation is just one example of hundreds across this country. This tragedy is what comes from our current system of discrimination. This is why we desparetely need autism treatment to be enshrined under Medicare and universally accessible! His fight is just but in order for him to win, he needs a different tactic, one which will win! A number of us are assisting him in this regard. If you would like to assist, please contact me.

Thank you,
Jean

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hi FEATers,

I just feel like it's time to post about Stephan Marinoiu.
( The father of a boy who has Autism who is on a hunger strike in Queens Park in Toronto.)

In case you don't know,
Stefan has asked for the following from The Canadian government:

(1) The waitlist must be eliminated by November 1, (2) There must be ABA in schools, (3) They need to work with Ottawa to develop a national autism strategy and get more funding for Ontario and (4) Therapists need to be regulated.

I believe Stephan hasn't eaten in 13 days now.

Stephan is the same Man who walked from Toronto to Ottawa,
through two of the worst snowstorms of the season,
to bring the issue of Autism to the attention of the federal government.

And now, he's sitting there, outside, 24 hours a day.

http://www.ontarioautismcoalition.com/

My heart drops whenever I see him.
Do you all think that a pile of e-mails
from us all to him would help?

If there is enough interest, I'd be willing to collect them,
print them out, and Fed Ex them to him.

I wish that I could be there.
He deserves an army.

I know I need to rise up and fight.
I need to speak up, make a fuss, and get things done.

It's hard, when there's so little time, and so much to do,
and it never stops, and you are so tired you can't even think straight.

But I can't imagine, right now, a more worthwhile cause.

I should take my daughter to see my MP.
I want to help.

Anyone in Toronto?
Please go visit Stephan for me.
Please get him something, he needs.
Make a sign and stand with him for a while.
Keep him company.

I want to change things.

Every day I am thinking of him,
and today I will take action.

My promise.
{Catherine}

You can reach me at scissorhappy@shaw.ca
Let's do something nice for a real hero.

[Super Dad]

Hi Debra,

The ASAT web site has a nice article on frauds like Dawson, titled "A Mother's Perspective" by a member of FEAT Wisconsin:

http://www.asatonline.org/forum/articles/mother.htm

Here is an excerpt:

—
Michelle Dawson's voice is one of the more strident of this movement. I do not know her, nor where she is from, nor what her background is. Frankly, after reading her essay, I have no desire to engage in any debate with anyone of such extreme and ideological views. However, for the sake of my children and other children who have autism, I feel it is important to address the assertions she has chosen to broadcast on the Internet about "autistics." She herself claims to be autistic, but it is not clear who, if anyone, diagnosed her with the condition; she never explains the circumstances of her diagnosis. Is she autistic? She appears to be educated and highly verbal (although her endless, repetitive arguments do cry out for some serious editing). Moreover, while her continuous bashing of ABA and its practitioners is full of inconsistencies, leaps of logic, and personal attacks, one obvious reality that emerges from her meanderings is that she is not at all like my children, or any of the children I know who have autism.
—

It's worth your time to read the entire article. The only thing that I do not agree with is the author's assumption that Dawson is motivated by ideology. Dawson is an opportunist who has found a way to get both money and attention by exploiting public ignorance.

Tony

[Debra Antifaev]

I watched "On the Brink". Very nicely done. I also looked at the CTV web-site and there is already a post calling ABA "child abuse" and asking W5 to talk to Michelle Dawson.
Now it is just my opinion, but I do not think….based on watching Ms. Dawson…that she is autistic. That is just my opinion. I am not a Doctor.
I would like to see her assessed by a well-known reputable Autism expert – like Dr. deLevie, Dr. Foxx, Dr. Davies – first.
I believe there is some real harm that can be done by people claiming to be autistic and telling others to leave them as they are. These people may truly believe they are autistic. I cannot comment on their motives. I can only comment on my motives. I want what is best for MY son and MY family.
My son CANNOT take care of himself.
If he could do a radio interview I would be thrilled.
People need to know that there are children who will NEVER be able to enjoy the freedoms that some higher functioning children will eventually enjoy.
We, the parents, have to be heard also. This affects our lives too.
Michelle Dawson does not speak for me or my son. She is free to speak for herself as long as she does not call me a child abuser (which I resent). She is free to never use ABA.
I, on the other hand, am free to say I do not agree with her message.
Make your voices heard, parents….

[Super Dad]

The "Life on the Brink" program is already on CTV's W5 web site:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080509/WFIVE_on_brink_080510/20080510

Here is the previous W5 story:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080320/WFIVE_CarlysStory_080320/20080322

If you've missed tonight's broadcast, you can watch it via the web site.

As opposed to the usual half-minute, our story was heard by thousands of people for a good half-hour. I am extremely grateful to Jean for making it possible.

Tony

[Mike & Jean]

Just a reminder – Watch CTV's W5 tonight at 7:00 p.m. Titled,"Life on the Brink", is a story of how Canadian families, which includes all of us, are dealing with the extraordinary costs of providing treatment for our children with autism. Our national political initiative to have autism treatment covered under Medicare is part of the story. It is the second story in the program, so will begin about 7:30 p.m.

We encourage you to watch the program and to email your comments to W5 at its conclusion. Go to http://www.ctv.ca and click on W5.

The program runs again tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

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