[FEAT BC Admin]

In this topic area, discussion is about the fight to secure Government funding for your A.B.A. treatment program. It is also the place to talk about your thoughts and ideas about how to establish new Government programs specifically designed for autism treatment.

This is the place to hear input from parents who have fought for funding and won, as well as those who have fought for funding and would like to share their horror stories. There is a tendency to not share success stories once funding is secured. Please fight that tendency. By sharing our experience, we all become stronger.

 

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—-By FEAT BC (Freeman) on Saturday, January 3, 1998 – 03:16 pm:

-Hi everyone!

These are some things to think about in your dealings with government to help you to obtain support for your child’s Autism Treatment Program. These are my personal opinions and do not represent those of FEAT of BC or any other organization.

Many of these observations are based on my personal experiences (and I believe it poetic justice to help every parent avoid being systematically abused by their social worker the way I was).

Good luck to everyone! (Let’s all pull back the curtain on the Wizard of OZ).

Sabrina

 

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How To Fight for Funding for Autism Treatment and Appropriate School Placement

1. Establish a Paper Trail

Always take notes, documenting major points of all conversations with government and school officials.

This includes casual, in person conversations with social workers as well as ALL telephone conversations. All key points of discussion must be written down in your notes including the date and time of the discussion. This includes what was agreed upon, as well as what was not agreed upon.

Then the notes should be used to write a letter recapping the substance and content of the conversation. This letter must then be mailed or faxed to the person with whom you had the conversation. In addition, a copy must be kept in your file (see section on the icci game).

Why?

It is important to formalize the interaction between you and Government officials. In addition, everyone is put on notice that they must closely adhere to their responsibilities, regulations and laws., Furthermore, they must then consider the paper trail you have created. This lets everyone know that the interaction can become public and that any abuses of power and authority can be formally appealed and/or publicized.

In other words, they canit use discretion unfairly under the cloak of secrecy.

2. Submit all Requests in Writing

All your requests for your child must be submitted formally in writing with a copy included in your file and a copy, if necessary, sent to their immediate superiors.

3. Set Deadlines for Action

All formal requests for action must have a reasonable deadline set for that action. If no action or response is received by the deadline you have set (two weeks for example), then you will interpret the lack of response as a formal declination (a formal NO) of your requests.

Why Set Deadlines?

When bureaucrats do not want to do something, they will stall by ignoring you and your request. (As an aside, in the study of the bureaucracy, this is known as ithe power to do nothingi). They can string you along for years. When you have determined that the person you are interacting with is not inclined to help you or is not dealing in good faith, then you must take the initiative and formally label his/her behavior as obstructionist and de facto as a declination (a NO to your requests). This allows you to move to the next level of authority on your timetable to present your case. This takes the power to do nothing away from the bureaucrat with whom you are dealing. Simple stated, a bureaucrat who stalls and does nothing becomes irrelevant (use your invisible spray) and you move on to the next level of authority.

How to icci?

A cc. is a copy of your letter sent to someone other than the person you are writing. You put the cc. at the bottom left-hand corner of your letter followed by 2 spaces and the name of the person or people to whom you want to send a copy of the letter.

Who to icci to?

Sometimes it is best not to icci at all, especially in the early stages of the relationship (for example, your first letter to a social worker requesting assistance). This gives them the opportunity to do the right thing and does not present you as an overly combative person. When you start to run into problems, it is a good idea to send the icci to the 2 immediate superiors of the person you are having problems with. We do not recommend icciing all the way up the chain of command, since you want to give them a chance to solve the problem at the local level.

Why send a icci copy?

The reason for playing the icci game is that you want your interactions with the official to be known to his superior and possibly to other organizations so that 1) their action or inaction becomes a matter of record and 2) the individual knows he is being monitored. This helps minimize abuses of power and authority and helps encourage the official to meet their obligations and do the right thing.

What is the sequence of letters?

Find out the chain of command of the particular bureaucracy you are battling.

TOP

Minister
Deputy Minister
Children’s Ministry’s local region chain of command, all the way down to the District Supervisor
and Social Worker
Contacts can be found at the government directory: http://www.dir.gov.bc.ca/

BOTTOM

Start at the bottom and climb. At the Regional Operating Officer (ROO) level (once you have been declined) you have to decide whether to jump up to the top, threaten and then go to the media, or both. A word of wisdom: DO NOT BLUFF. If you are not willing to go all the way, they will ‘smell’ this. You must be prepared to take it right up to the Minister and beyond.

Documentation from Experts:

In your arsenal to fight for your child, it is wise to get his/her pediatrician and/or psychiatrist to write a letter on your childis behalf. In addition, any other experts who know your child and are sympathetic to what you are trying to do should become involved.

When to hire a lawyer?

If money is not an issue, you can hire a lawyer when you get to the area manager level. Make sure that you have a paper trail so the lawyer has something to work with. Also, have the lawyer give F.E.A.T. of B.C. a call, and we will send him/her information that will help.

If money is an issue (as it is for most of us running autism treatment programs), you might want to hire a lawyer once you have been turned down by the Minister.

How to hire a lawyer?

The type of lawyer needed is a litigator, or trial lawyer. S/he does not need to be an expert in autism, or special needs; s/he needs to be experienced in suing governments, and enjoys being in court. Word of mouth is a good way to find a lawyer.

Topic

[Monika Lange]

Good job on the letter Andrew.

Not very politically correct, and yet…
entirely politically CORRECT.

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks,
Well, as you know, a person by the name of Jonathan Howard is running across Canada to raise awareness of autism. His team appears to have all the logistics and support in place, including sending out regular newsletters. However, the last one really rubbed me the wrong way. Describing certain politicians who have done NOTHING for our kids as providers of "outstanding support" during an election campaign merely because they invited Jonathan to a BBQ is so typical of ….ah, never mind. Below is my message of complaint.
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Subject: Run the Dream newsletter errs big time

Dear Run the Dream organization,

I must register some serious concerns with your most recent newsletter from the Jonathan Howard autism "Run the Dream" trek across Canada. I find it very disturbing that the newsletter would refer to "outstanding" "support" from certain political leaders… and specifically refer to Conservative government House Leader and senior Cabinet member Peter Van Loan MP and another MP Patrick Brown. Let's clarify a few things please…What is more important? Supporting the run's logistics and photo-opportunities? Or seriously improving government autism policies?

Peter Van Loan is in a position to make things happen. He, more than any other MP these past few years, has fielded questions in the House of Commons on his government's actions and inactions on absolutely every file. He knows everything that his government is doing and not doing and why.

Peter Van Loan and I were students at Osgoode Hall Law School in the mid-1980s (he graduated a year before me) and when he was first elected I bumped into him at the Wal-Mart in the SouthKeys Mall in Ottawa and pleaded with him to open an autism file and for his Party to really do something to get a National Autism Strategy going and end the discrimination in Medicare. Well, to my knowledge he wrote a letter to a friend in Toronto who was working in the provincial bureaucracy or something, and then nothing. I subsequently met him while protesting for a National Autism Strategy on Parliament Hill and he would not even slow down to speak with me. As you know, the Tories voted in favour of the motion of Andy Scott's for a National Autism Strategy, but have not implemented it. Similarly, they voted against the National Autism Strategy Private Members' Bill of Shawn Murphy. The Tories have not shown any leadership whatsoever on the autism file. That is the Tory record. That is the Peter Van Loan record. Whatever it is, it can hardly be described as "outstanding support" for autism. How can such a politician be described as offering "outstanding support" for the autism cause….without the proper context in your newsletter, particularly in the middle of an election?

Similarly, MP Patrick Brown is a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health. This is a critical position because any study by the Committee and report to the House with recommendations for action could prove to be help kickstart some real action on the autism front. However, in the past our repeated requests to the Committee to put autism, and the lack of Medicare coverage for autism treatment, on their Committee agenda were completely ignored. Mr. Brown can make things happen too. But his record on autism is bare. Whatever it is, it can hardly be described as "outstanding support" for autism. I find it revolting that such politicians would be characterized in your newsletter as providers of "outstanding support".

Let's be clear…is this run about Jonathan or autism? Supporting Jonathan by inviting him to a festival booth or supplying his team with a meal at a BBQ should not be characterized as anything other than that…and certainly not as "outstanding support" for autism.

Andrew Kavchak
Parent of a child with autism
Ottawa

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From: Charlaine
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 7:27 PM
To: charlaine.thompson@runthedream.ca
Subject: Fwd: Run The Dream Newsletter: Volume 1 Issue 18

Greetings,

Attached you will find the eighteenth issue of the Run The Dream Newsletter! A lot of wonderful events have transpired along the way.

Our newsletter will keep you up-to-date on Jonathan's journey across Canada in support of Autism.

We thank you for your continued support!

Charlaine Thompson
Media Relations & Communications
Run The Dream
charlaine.thompson@runthedream.ca

[J.Graham]

Here is another view of this study and what it's outcome really means.

http://www.cryshame.co.uk//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=155

[Andrew Kavchak]

New York Times
nytimes.com

September 9, 2008

Editorial

Debunking an Autism Theory

Ten years ago, a clinical research paper triggered widespread and persistent fears that a combined vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella — the so-called MMR vaccine — causes autism in young children. That theory has been soundly refuted by a variety of other research over the years, and now a new study that tried to replicate the original study has provided further evidence that it was a false alarm.

The initial paper, published in The Lancet, the prestigious British medical journal, drew an inferential link between the vaccine, the gastrointestinal problems found in many autistic children and autism. In later papers, researchers theorized that the measles part of the vaccine caused inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that allowed toxins to enter the body and damage the central nervous system, causing autism.

Now, a team of researchers from Columbia University, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tried and failed to replicate the earlier findings.

These researchers studied a group of 38 children with gastrointestinal problems, of whom 25 were autistic and 13 were not. All had received the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. The scientists found no evidence that it had caused harm. Only 5 of the 25 autistic children had been vaccinated before they developed gastrointestinal problems — and subsequently autism. Genetic tests found remnants of the measles virus in only two children, one of whom was autistic, the other not.

The new study adds weight to a growing body of epidemiological studies and reviews that have debunked the notion that childhood vaccines cause autism. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the C.D.C. and the World Health Organization have found no evidence of a causal link between vaccines and autism.
Meanwhile, the original paper’s publisher — The Lancet — complained in 2004 that the lead author had concealed a conflict of interest. Ten of his co-authors retracted the paper’s implication that the vaccine might be linked to autism.

Three of the authors are now defending themselves before a fitness-to-practice panel in London on charges related to their autism research.

Sadly, even after all of this, many parents of autistic children still blame the vaccine. The big losers in this debate are the children who are not being vaccinated because of parental fears and are at risk of contracting serious — sometimes fatal — diseases.
___________________________________

[Andrew Kavchak]

From CTV.ca
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45 ridings that can change the country: Polling the battleground 2008

Updated Sun. Sep. 7 2008 10:19 PM ET

Peter Donolo and Tim Woolstencroft , The Strategic Counsel

In the last federal election, in 2006, almost 15 million Canadians cast their ballots. But the reality is that the decisive factor — the difference between a Conservative or Liberal minority government came down to less than 15,000 votes in a dozen tightly-fought ridings.

That's all it took. The swing votes of .001 per cent of Canadian voters, in a few key ridings. And a government was overturned.

As Canadians, we've grown used to watching U.S. presidential elections that are slugged out in a handful of battleground states that are neither firmly in the Republican nor Democratic column. We all remember how the 2000 presidential race came down to a controversial recount in Florida that handed George W. Bush the most razor-sharp of victories.

That's why so much of the campaign coverage South of the Border is focused on the state-of-play in about a half dozen of those battleground states.

Well, in our own election, the difference between victory and defeat, between minority and majority government, will also be decided in a number of key battleground regions, concentrated primarily in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

We already know how things are likely to go in the Conservative fortress of Alberta or the Liberal bastion of downtown Toronto. These battleground areas in the three large provinces — where there is both the critical mass of seats and the electoral tightness — are most likely to keep us on the edge of our seats on October 14th.

The political parties know this. That's why they'll be aiming their heavy artillery at shifting votes in about 45 of these ridings.

Now, Canadians can follow the trench war. Because, for the first time we'll be tracking the results in these battlegrounds — on a day-to-day basis. Following the trends, picking up on any shifts. And reporting them directly to you, through CTV News and The Globe and Mail.

We've chosen 45 battleground ridings — 20 in Ontario, 15 in Quebec, 10 in BC. Our criteria was very simple, and very strict.

We chose the ridings in those provinces that had the closest margins in the last election (or, if applicable) in a subsequent by-election. In most of these ridings, the winner won by less than five per cent. In one riding (Parry Sound-Muskoka), the margin came down to a mere 28 votes. In all of them, votes for third parties made the difference between who won and who lost.

Every night, we'll be polling 405 Canadians in these battlegrounds. We'll be able to track who's up and who's down and — much more important — why those shifts are happening.

It will be the most laser-focused, polling anywhere in the campaign. We think it will help Canadians better understand the forces at play in Election 2008. And a more informed, more analytical electorate is better for everyone.

Peter Donolo is Partner and Tim Woolstencroft is Managing Partner of The Strategic Counsel, the official polling firm for The Globe and Mail and CTV News

The Battleground 2008 Ridings:

British Columbia:

Vancouver Quadra, Vancouver Island North, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, Fleetwood-Port Kells, Newton-North Delta, Burnaby-Douglas, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, Richmond, Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, North Vancouver.

Ontario:

Parry Sound-Muskoka, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, St. Catharines, Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Brant, Thunder Bay-Superior North, Oakville, Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Huron-Bruce, London-Fanshaw, Ottawa-Orléans, Simcoe North, London West, Barrie, Kitchener-Conestoga, Halton, Peterborough, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, Burlington, Mississauga South.

Quebec:

Louis-Hébert, Ahuntsic, Beauport-Limoilou, Brossard-La Prairie, Papineau, Charlesbourg–Haut-Saint-Charles, Hull-Aylmer, Honoré-Mercier, Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot, Pontiac, Jeanne-Le Ber, Laval-Les Îles, Gatineau, Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Brome-Missisquoi.

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks,
Just came across this blog entry…since there are now elections campaigns going on both sides of the border, this seems pretty relevant and interesting…
_________________
From:
http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/09/the-autism-vote.html
__________________
September 08, 2008

The Autism Vote

Managing Editor's Note: Sorry, Kent! I Couldn't find, "Mr. Popularity."

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

Suddenly I feel like one of the popular kids.

In her speech at the Democratic Convention Hillary Clinton said, “I will always remember the single mom who had adopted two kids with autism. She didn’t have any health insurance, and she discovered she had cancer. But she greeted me with her bald head, painted with my name on it, and asked me to fight for health care for her and her children.”

Then there was John McCain at the Republican Convention. “I fight for Jake and Toni Wimmer of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Jake works on a loading dock, coaches Little League, and raises money for the mentally and physically disabled. Toni is a schoolteacher, working towards her master’s degree. They have two sons; the youngest, Luke, has been diagnosed with autism. Their lives should matter to the people they elect to office. They matter to me. And they matter to you.”

Recently we got the news that Barack Obama sat down with the New Jersey Coalition for Vaccination Choice. And by now everybody knows that Sarah Palin has a child with Down's Syndrome, and in her acceptance speech promised that the parents of special needs children would always have an advocate in the White House.

There is no other way of saying this: We have caught the attention of the people in power. Great job, everybody!

But like the new kid in school who finds he’s suddenly running around with the popular crowd, there are dangers.

The people who lift you up have motives of their own, and not all of them are benign.

The democrats want to use autism as tool in their quest for greater health coverage. But unfortunately it was the health coverage we already had, and those wonderful vaccines our plans encouraged us to get for our children that caused this problem. And besides, will any existing health plan cover things like chelation, B-12 shots, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, or even more out-of-the-box therapies like stem cells? I think not. Thanks for your concern, Hillary, but it’s not enough.

The republicans want to use autism as a tool to show they’re compassionate people. And don’t we make the perfect victims? I mean, we were perfectly content living our lives, going to jobs, getting married, deciding to have children, and then, wham! Our plans got turned up-side down, and if we weren’t sinking into depression, we were emptying our bank accounts to try and improve the future of our children. Outside of being thrown in a North Vietnamese prison camp for five and a half years, how much more heroic can you get? Thanks, John McCain, for vowing not to forget us. But you need to do more.

When I was in college my friends thought I’d become a political columnist. I didn’t have the burning partisan fire to enter politics, but I always admired the political passion of those who did. My daughter’s godmother was the main fund-raiser for the democratic congresswoman in our district when she knocked off the republican incumbent. My best friend growing up was recently asked to be on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. Even when I disagree with people, I admire their courage in standing up.

So I say thank you to Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barack Obama, and Sarah Palin for bringing us to the party. Because of you, more people are thinking and talking about autism. That’s a great, positive step forward.

But if you want my vote, you’re going to need to do more. Our victory is not achieved by getting mentioned in the speech of a political candidate. Our victory is achieved when the truth of what has happened to our children is revealed to all and the best minds of science are turned to finding out how to help our kids.

That’s when you get my vote.

Kent Heckenlively is Legal Editor for Age of Autism.

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks!
Wow! On the first day of the national election campaign the Autism Speaks organization gave Mike Lake an opportunity to "kick off" an Autism Speaks walkathon in his hometown of Edmonton. I wonder if Mike Lake spoke about how little his party has done for autism across Canada and how the Health Minister is really not interested? Too bad the doctors who moved recently from Nova Scotia to Manitoba just to access autism treatment for their son were not on hand to speak about the need for a real National Autism Strategy and that AutismSpeaks did not sponsor a debate or something. Boy, that would have been interesting. I wonder how much of the money raised may again be given to those who continuously work to discredit ABA and oppose any effort to get autism treatment in Medicare? Just wondering…
________________________
From:
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=c48ef000-230e-450e-a48b-e2c4c69f2568
________________________
Walk raises autism awareness in capital area
Hundreds turn out in St. Albert to support national organization's goals

Marta Gold
The Edmonton Journal

Monday, September 08, 2008

CREDIT: Bruce Edwards, The Journal
Charlene Prochnau and her son Brayden attend the inaugural Edmonton Capital Region Walk for Autism at St. Albert Place on Sunday.

CREDIT: Bruce Edwards, The Journal
Liane Vanbrabant, 6, had her face painted for Sunday's walk.

Brayden Prochnau runs around the playground at St. Albert's Lion's Park like any other eight-year-old would. Getting him to stop, however, is another story.

Brayden has severe autism and his senses are easily overloaded, particularly in busy, noisy places like this. To cope, he moves constantly, explains his mother Charlene, keeping a watchful eye on him as they await the start of the first Walk Now for Autism in the Edmonton region, in support of Autism Speaks Canada.

Hundreds of families with children like Brayden, along with friends and professionals who work with autistic kids, gathered Sunday to show support for the goals of the organization: to raise money for research and offer services to help families living with autism.

When Brayden was younger, he never sat still, Prochnau said. Now, with regular, intensive therapy, he has made huge progress and can even sit through a movie.

Though the prognosis for him was poor when he was first diagnosed at age three, he has since learned to speak and can read a bit and do some math. Until this year, he was in a regular school classroom, though Prochnau had to work as his classroom aide for much of the year because of a shortage of available aides.

Providing that support for families with autistic children is critical, she said. "I don't think we should have to fight so hard to get it."

Understanding from outsiders is also important. "It's hard because people see him and expect that he's like everyone else, so they expect typical behaviour out of him," Prochnau said.

The daily life of her family, which includes two older sons, has been dramatically altered by autism. For a long time, they rarely went out together because of Brayden's behaviour, nor could they take typical family vacations. Their days are filled with therapy sessions. "It's not a bad life, it just can be a very hard life at times," she said.

The Ryan family attended Sunday's walk as a way of celebrating son Sean's 13th birthday. Dressed in a black T-shirt emblazoned with "Ryan Express" — a nod to Sean's love of trains — mom Jackie and dad Andrew accompanied Sean on stage just before the walk began. The assembled crowd sang Happy Birthday to him and to well-known local autism researcher Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, who was also celebrating his birthday.

Mike Lake, Conservative MP for Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont, was on hand to kick off the run with son Jaden, 13, who has autism. Jaden happily waved a large Canadian flag at the front of the long line of people walking the three-kilometre route, many of them wearing T-shirts printed with the name and picture of a child they were supporting.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects how the brain develops. Its three primary symptoms are an impaired ability to use language, difficulty understanding social interactions and limited interests as well as unusual behaviours, said Deborah Barrett, past-president of the Autism Society of Edmonton Area. It affects one in every 150 children.

Sunday's walk was expected to draw up to 1,000 people and raise more than $100,000, said Suzanne Lanthier, executive director of Autism Speaks Canada. In addition to funding research about autism, the organization is working on developing a comprehensive website for Canadian families, much like the one its parent group, Autism Speaks, offers in the United States. It will direct people not only to professionals like doctors and therapists in various Canadian locations, but also to services like hairstylists and dentists who work well with autistic children.

The group also offers family services grants to groups in Canada to support local initiatives for kids with autism.

Prochnau said her family wanted to support the work done by Autism Speaks, particularly in its services for families. As well, public events that educate more people about the challenges faced by autistic children like Brayden are vital, she added.

"I think the more people understand that, the more maybe our kids will have a chance. That's what it's all about. I want him to have a chance."

For more information about autism and the services available to families, go to http://www.autismedmonton.org or http://www.autismspeaks.org

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks,
During his speech at the Republican Convention last night Presidential hopeful John McCain actually mentioned "autism". Makes you wonder whether Harper, Clement or any other federal politician will say anything during the coming election in Canada…

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2008 Republican National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by John McCain

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ —

This evening U.S. Sen. John McCain will accept the Republican Party's nomination for President of the United States. The full text of Sen. McCain's acceptance speech, as prepared for delivery, is below.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080114/RNCLOGO ) U.S. Sen. John McCain

Thank you all very much. Tonight, I have a privilege given few Americans – – the privilege of accepting our party's nomination for President of the United States. And I accept it with gratitude, humility and confidence.

In my life, no success has come without a good fight, and this nomination wasn't any different. That's a tribute to the candidates who opposed me and their supporters. They're leaders of great ability, who love our country, and wished to lead it to better days. Their support is an honor I won't forget.

I'm grateful to the President for leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history, and keeping us safe from another attack many thought was inevitable; and to the First Lady, Laura Bush, a model of grace and kindness in public and in private. And I'm grateful to the 41st President and his bride of 63 years, and for their outstanding example of honorable service to our country.

As always, I'm indebted to my wife, Cindy, and my seven children. The pleasures of family life can seem like a brief holiday from the crowded calendar of our nation's business. But I have treasured them all the more, and can't imagine a life without the happiness you give me. Cindy said a lot of nice things about me tonight. But, in truth, she's more my inspiration than I am hers. Her concern for those less blessed than we are – victims of land mines, children born in poverty and with birth defects – shows the measure of her humanity. I know she will make a great First Lady.

When I was growing up, my father was often at sea, and the job of raising my brother, sister and me would fall to my mother alone. Roberta McCain gave us her love of life, her deep interest in the world, her strength, and her belief we are all meant to use our opportunities to make ourselves useful to our country. I wouldn't be here tonight but for the strength of her character.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you, who helped me win this nomination, and stood by me when the odds were long. I won't let you down. To Americans who have yet to decide who to vote for, thank you for your consideration and the opportunity to win your trust. I intend to earn it.

Finally, a word to Senator Obama and his supporters. We'll go at it over the next two months. That's the nature of these contests, and there are big differences between us. But you have my respect and admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, an association that means more to me than any other. We're dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal and endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. No country ever had a greater cause than that. And I wouldn't be an American worthy of the name if I didn't honor Senator Obama and his supporters for their achievement.

But let there be no doubt, my friends, we're going to win this election. And after we've won, we're going to reach out our hand to any willing patriot, make this government start working for you again, and get this country back on the road to prosperity and peace.

These are tough times for many of you. You're worried about keeping your job or finding a new one, and are struggling to put food on the table and stay in your home. All you ever asked of government is to stand on your side, not in your way. And that's just what I intend to do: stand on your side and fight for your future.

And I've found just the right partner to help me shake up Washington, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. She has executive experience and a real record of accomplishment. She's tackled tough problems like energy independence and corruption. She's balanced a budget, cut taxes, and taken on the special interests. She's reached across the aisle and asked Republicans, Democrats and Independents to serve in her administration. She's the mother of five children. She's helped run a small business, worked with her hands and knows what it's like to worry about mortgage payments and health care and the cost of gasoline and groceries.

She knows where she comes from and she knows who she works for. She stands up for what's right, and she doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down. I'm very proud to have introduced our next Vice President to the country. But I can't wait until I introduce her to Washington. And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming.

I'm not in the habit of breaking promises to my country and neither is Governor Palin. And when we tell you we're going to change Washington, and stop leaving our country's problems for some unluckier generation to fix, you can count on it. We've got a record of doing just that, and the strength, experience, judgment and backbone to keep our word to you.

You know, I've been called a maverick; someone who marches to the beat of his own drum. Sometimes it's meant as a compliment and sometimes it's not. What it really means is I understand who I work for. I don't work for a party. I don't work for a special interest. I don't work for myself. I work for you.

I've fought corruption, and it didn't matter if the culprits were Democrats or Republicans. They violated their public trust, and had to be held accountable. I've fought big spenders in both parties, who waste your money on things you neither need nor want, while you struggle to buy groceries, fill your gas tank and make your mortgage payment. I've fought to get million dollar checks out of our elections. I've fought lobbyists who stole from Indian tribes. I fought crooked deals in the Pentagon. I fought tobacco companies and trial lawyers, drug companies and union bosses.

I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq, when it wasn't a popular thing to do. And when the pundits said my campaign was finished, I said I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war.

Thanks to the leadership of a brilliant general, David Petraeus, and the brave men and women he has the honor to command, that strategy succeeded and rescued us from a defeat that would have demoralized our military, risked a wider war and threatened the security of all Americans.

I don't mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, I've had quite a few tough ones in my life. But I learned an important lesson along the way. In the end, it matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test.

I fight for Americans. I fight for you. I fight for Bill and Sue Nebe from Farmington Hills, Michigan, who lost their real estate investments in the bad housing market. Bill got a temporary job after he was out of work for seven months. Sue works three jobs to help pay the bills.

I fight for Jake and Toni Wimmer of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Jake works on a loading dock; coaches Little League, and raises money for the mentally and physically disabled. Toni is a schoolteacher, working toward her Master's Degree. They have two sons, the youngest, Luke, has been diagnosed with autism. Their lives should matter to the people they elect to office. They matter to me.

I fight for the family of Matthew Stanley of Wolfboro, New Hampshire, who died serving our country in Iraq. I wear his bracelet and think of him every day. I intend to honor their sacrifice by making sure the country their son loved so well and never returned to, remains safe from its enemies.

I fight to restore the pride and principles of our party. We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us. We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption. We lost their trust when rather than reform government, both parties made it bigger. We lost their trust when instead of freeing ourselves from a dangerous dependence on foreign oil, both parties and Senator Obama passed another corporate welfare bill for oil companies. We lost their trust, when we valued our power over our principles.

We're going to change that. We're going to recover the people's trust by standing up again for the values Americans admire. The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics.

We believe everyone has something to contribute and deserves the opportunity to reach their God-given potential from the boy whose descendents arrived on the Mayflower to the Latina daughter of migrant workers. We're all God's children and we're all Americans.

We believe in low taxes; spending discipline, and open markets. We believe in rewarding hard work and risk takers and letting people keep the fruits of their labor.

We believe in a strong defense, work, faith, service, a culture of life, personal responsibility, the rule of law, and judges who dispense justice impartially and don't legislate from the bench. We believe in the values of families, neighborhoods and communities.

We believe in a government that unleashes the creativity and initiative of Americans. Government that doesn't make your choices for you, but works to make sure you have more choices to make for yourself.

I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them. I will open new markets to our goods and services. My opponent will close them. I will cut government spending. He will increase it.

My tax cuts will create jobs. His tax increases will eliminate them. My health care plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good health care insurance. His plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages, and force families into a government run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor.

Keeping taxes low helps small businesses grow and create new jobs. Cutting the second highest business tax rate in the world will help American companies compete and keep jobs from moving overseas. Doubling the child tax exemption from $3500 to $7000 will improve the lives of millions of American families. Reducing government spending and getting rid of failed programs will let you keep more of your own money to save, spend and invest as you see fit. Opening new markets and preparing workers to compete in the world economy is essential to our future prosperity.

I know some of you have been left behind in the changing economy and it often seems your government hasn't even noticed. Government assistance for unemployed workers was designed for the economy of the 1950s. That's going to change on my watch. My opponent promises to bring back old jobs by wishing away the global economy. We're going to help workers who've lost a job that won't come back, find a new one that won't go away.

We will prepare them for the jobs of today. We will use our community colleges to help train people for new opportunities in their communities. For workers in industries that have been hard hit, we'll help make up part of the difference in wages between their old job and a temporary, lower paid one while they receive retraining that will help them find secure new employment at a decent wage.

Education is the civil rights issue of this century. Equal access to public education has been gained. But what is the value of access to a failing school? We need to shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition, empower parents with choice, remove barriers to qualified instructors, attract and reward good teachers, and help bad teachers find another line of work.

When a public school fails to meet its obligations to students, parents deserve a choice in the education of their children. And I intend to give it to them. Some may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private one. Many will choose a charter school. But they will have that choice and their children will have that opportunity.

Senator Obama wants our schools to answer to unions and entrenched bureaucracies. I want schools to answer to parents and students. And when I'm President, they will.

My fellow Americans, when I'm President, we're going to embark on the most ambitious national project in decades. We are going to stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don't like us very much. We will attack the problem on every front. We will produce more energy at home. We will drill new wells offshore, and we'll drill them now. We will build more nuclear power plants. We will develop clean coal technology. We will increase the use of wind, tide, solar and natural gas. We will encourage the development and use of flex fuel, hybrid and electric automobiles.

Senator Obama thinks we can achieve energy independence without more drilling and without more nuclear power. But Americans know better than that. We must use all resources and develop all technologies necessary to rescue our economy from the damage caused by rising oil prices and to restore the health of our planet. It's an ambitious plan, but Americans are ambitious by nature, and we have faced greater challenges. It's time for us to show the world again how Americans lead.

This great national cause will create millions of new jobs, many in industries that will be the engine of our future prosperity; jobs that will be there when your children enter the workforce.

Today, the prospect of a better world remains within our reach. But we must see the threats to peace and liberty in our time clearly and face them, as Americans before us did, with confidence, wisdom and resolve.

We have dealt a serious blow to al Qaeda in recent years. But they are not defeated, and they'll strike us again if they can. Iran remains the chief state sponsor of terrorism and on the path to acquiring nuclear weapons. Russia's leaders, rich with oil wealth and corrupt with power, have rejected democratic ideals and the obligations of a responsible power. They invaded a small, democratic neighbor to gain more control over the world's oil supply, intimidate other neighbors, and further their ambitions of reassembling the Russian empire. And the brave people of Georgia need our solidarity and prayers. As President, I will work to establish good relations with Russia so we need not fear a return of the Cold War. But we can't turn a blind eye to aggression and international lawlessness that threatens the peace and stability of the world and the security of the American people.

We face many threats in this dangerous world, but I'm not afraid of them. I'm prepared for them. I know how the military works, what it can do, what it can do better, and what it should not do. I know how the world works. I know the good and the evil in it. I know how to work with leaders who share our dreams of a freer, safer and more prosperous world, and how to stand up to those who don't. I know how to secure the peace.

When I was five years old, a car pulled up in front of our house. A Navy officer rolled down the window, and shouted at my father that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. I rarely saw my father again for four years. My grandfather came home from that same war exhausted from the burdens he had borne, and died the next day. In Vietnam, where I formed the closest friendships of my life, some of those friends never came home with me. I hate war. It is terrible beyond imagination.

I'm running for President to keep the country I love safe, and prevent other families from risking their loved ones in war as my family has. I will draw on all my experience with the world and its leaders, and all the tools at our disposal – diplomatic, economic, military and the power of our ideals – to build the foundations for a stable and enduring peace.

In America, we change things that need to be changed. Each generation makes its contribution to our greatness. The work that is ours to do is plainly before us. We don't need to search for it.

We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network; from the way we train our workers to the way we educate our children. All these functions of government were designed before the rise of the global economy, the information technology revolution and the end of the Cold War. We have to catch up to history, and we have to change the way we do business in Washington.

The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving these problems isn't a cause, it's a symptom. It's what happens when people go to Washington to work for themselves and not you.

Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed. That's how I will govern as President. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again. I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not.

Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn't think of them first, let's use the best ideas from both sides. Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let's try sharing it. This amazing country can do anything we put our minds to. I will ask Democrats and Independents to serve with me. And my administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability.

We're going to finally start getting things done for the people who are counting on us, and I won't care who gets the credit.

I've been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I have been her servant first, last and always. And I've never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I didn't thank God for the privilege.

Long ago, something unusual happened to me that taught me the most valuable lesson of my life. I was blessed by misfortune. I mean that sincerely. I was blessed because I served in the company of heroes, and I witnessed a thousand acts of courage, compassion and love.

On an October morning, in the Gulf of Tonkin, I prepared for my 23rd mission over North Vietnam. I hadn't any worry I wouldn't come back safe and sound. I thought I was tougher than anyone. I was pretty independent then, too. I liked to bend a few rules, and pick a few fights for the fun of it. But I did it for my own pleasure; my own pride. I didn't think there was a cause more important than me.

Then I found myself falling toward the middle of a small lake in the city of Hanoi, with two broken arms, a broken leg, and an angry crowd waiting to greet me. I was dumped in a dark cell, and left to die. I didn't feel so tough anymore. When they discovered my father was an admiral, they took me to a hospital. They couldn't set my bones properly, so they just slapped a cast on me. When I didn't get better, and was down to about a hundred pounds, they put me in a cell with two other Americans. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even feed myself. They did it for me. I was beginning to learn the limits of my selfish independence. Those men saved my life.

I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why. If I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners. Our Code said we could only go home in the order of our capture, and there were men who had been shot down before me. I thought about it, though. I wasn't in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.

A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did. I'd been mistreated before, but not as badly as others. I always liked to strut a little after I'd been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before. For a long time. And they broke me.

When they brought me back to my cell, I was hurt and ashamed, and I didn't know how I could face my fellow prisoners. The good man in the cell next door, my friend, Bob Craner, saved me. Through taps on a wall he told me I had fought as hard as I could. No man can always stand alone. And then he told me to get back up and fight again for our country and for the men I had the honor to serve with. Because every day they fought for me.

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's.

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.

If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.

I'm going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I'm an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.

Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people. Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all. Stand up to defend our country from its enemies. Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God Bless you.

[Andrew Kavchak]

Anybody wonder what Mike Lake's response would be? Here's a hint: "Not my problem!"
_______________________________________
Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
The Edmonton Journal

Deborah Barrett

Eager student thwarted

Monday night, our son turned to us and said, "School tomorrow."

What should have been an opportunity to share in the anticipation of a new school year instead broke our hearts.

Our son is 20 and he has autism. He can no longer attend the public school program for autistic students that he loved, and he was not accepted into any of the five inclusive post-secondary positions that were available this fall to anyone in Edmonton with any kind of developmental disability. Currently, there are no post-secondary programs designed to meet the needs of autistic students. (One institution may have a small pilot program ready for September 2009.)

As parents, we are frustrated. Our son wants to learn, and we have seen his capacity for learning grow markedly during his high school years. He loves his work experience and is a conscientious and reliable worker. With the proper training and supports, he has a lot to offer. With virtually no opportunity for an appropriate post-secondary education and the vast majority of day programs full with extended waiting lists, we are faced with trying to create a meaningful life for our son out of virtually nothing.

Too often, I hear similar stories of adult children with developmental disabilities being forced to stay home due to labour and/or funding shortages that limit programs. In this tremendously rich province, have we forgotten how to care?

Can we broaden our vision to develop quality post-secondary programs so our developmentally disabled young adults can become participating, contributing members of society?

Deborah Barrett, Edmonton

[Andrew Kavchak]

Wednesday, September 03, 2008
THE CHRONICLE-HERALD
OPINION, Page: A9

Autism treatment still lags despite claims of progress

Jim Young

A few recent events related to lack of mental health services in Nova Scotia prompt me to comment.

Dr. Leif Sigurdson recently threw a large stone into the tiny, tranquil pond of apathy that represents the technocrats' handling of treatment for persons with autism in Nova Scotia ("Surgeon heads West with family; Doctor says 'inadequate resources' for his autistic child reason for move.")

Through the media, this much-needed surgeon explained in no uncertain terms why he was pulling up stakes and heading to a province that not only confronts the reality of science-based autism treatment, but attempts to provide same in an ethical, fair manner. The July 27 article seemed to imply that patients were being "abandoned" and that it was "sad" that this doctor was leaving Nova Scotia and that his 1,700 odd patients were being hard done by. All true.

However, in my view, what is sad is that he has to leave to ensure appropriate medical care for his child. I have a child with autism and fully appreciate the 24-hour nightmare that this family faces. I envy his ability to be in a position to move to another province.

It is "sad" that our province provides basically half of the hours of treatment universally recognized as best practice for children.

It is repugnant that children are in and out of the program in the blink of an eye, receiving a year or two of treatment in what should be a lifelong service; it is discriminatory and essentially a human rights violation to pick and choose a scant few of the thousands of persons with autism.

What about the rest who don't make the cut? Apply this logic to any other physical illness and consider your own child being shunned by the system.

In the previously mentioned article, Health Minister Chris d'Entremont states that services for autism have grown in "leaps and bounds." Who told him that? None of the parents that I know.

Everything that my daughter gets with respect to treatment, I pay for directly out of my pocket. Our family receives no financial support for treatment or respite. Never have. Evidently, we are too wealthy by the income-driven standards set by the province.

Please take the time to review the funding formula. I can tell you that it has not grown in "leaps and bounds." In fact, unless your child is fortunate enough to have been selected into the "program," there is no funding available for any treatment whatsoever.

Respite, supports? Nothing coming my child's way. So, unlike the folks who have to pay for airfare and accommodations to access out-of-province treatment, we get nothing whatsoever.

Why? Because the provincial government says we're not covered under the Canada Health Act. The federal government says it's at the discretion of the provinces because you're not covered under the CHA. OK, we get it. Now change the act. Talk it out and pick up a pen.

Something that is growing in "leaps and bounds" is the number of diagnoses of autism and related conditions.

The minister perhaps should reflect on that point, evaluate the scant funding associated with all mental health issues (is it three per cent of the total health budget?), check on the actual number of children receiving treatment, and ask about outcomes associated with children receiving a fraction of the required service for an inhumane amount of time and then comment on the status of treatment for autism in Nova Scotia.

I recently read Deputy Health Minister Cheryl Doiron's comments on the status of mental health services. Good for her. She made Minister d'Entremont squirm in his seat, I am sure. The stigma and resistance to confront non-physical illnesses are a global concern. Thanks to the deputy minister for at least confronting the issue with the right people.

While the polity continues to duck the real issue – provision of core health needs under the Canada Health Act – provincial governments continue to pay lip service to it.

As evidenced by additional recent articles concerning the state of mental health services, it appears that they will continue to do nothing more than the bare minimum because they don't have to. So why would they? At present, the provision of services for autism is solely at the discretion of cabinet.

How would you feel if your local hospital told you that your child's infection cannot be treated because, well, his or her name is put on a list and randomly selected for treatment? Sorry, you weren't selected. That is the reality for families here in Nova Scotia.

Thank you to Dr. Sigurdson for his bold statements. I can appreciate that moving under these circumstances must be stressful. However, knowing what I know about autism treatment services in Nova Scotia, I would be on his heels if circumstances would allow it. I am resigned to the fact that the day will come. We all want what is best for our children.

But wait, the long-standing call by autism advocates across the country for inclusion of science-based autism treatment under the Canada Health Act is being backed by politicians of various stripes. Here at home, NDP Leader Darrell Dexter is championing the cause. Thank you to Darrell Dexter for his efforts. They have and continue to be significant.

Federal Health Minister Tony Clement has a busy schedule. He needs to find time to consider what is morally and legally right and that funding autism treatment is fiscally the best way to actually decrease the drain on public coffers over the lifespan of an individual with autism.

Jim Young lives in Dartmouth and represents Families for Early Autism Treatment.

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