[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone,

Love your work, Monika…you are very spitfire-ish (not actually a word!)
I, too, have taken to stealing other great writing and (without your permission), sent the following email to Ms. Reid. I don't think I would be breaking any confidences when I point out the irony of the fact that some of these Government folk have VERY obvious self-inflicted medical conditions that the rest of us tax-payers will be on the hook for forever. It is too sad that tax money is diverted away from our children in this manner.
Here's the email:

Dear Ms. Reid,
It has recently come to my attention that you are still confused about what
constitutes "ABA Therapy"
The Lovaas protocal developed by Dr. Ivar Lovaas is ABA.
I realise you used to work for one of those Government agencies so the lack
of updated, factual, information is to be expected.
Please read the following attachment and perhaps a few pieces by either:
Dr. Richard Foxx
Dr. Bobby Newman
Dr. Bridget Taylor
Dr. Ivar Lovaas, himself
Books by Ron Leaf & John McEachin
It would be foolish for someone in your position not to have access to the
most recent science.
Remember, this is all about what is best for the children not about
personality struggles within the different ministries.

Sincerely,
D.M. Antifaev
mother of a child with autism

From the FEAT chat board:
>How about this quote, followed by the David Suzuki quote (on
>FEAT website in Brief to MPs – something to the effect of
>"it used to be considered a life sentence, but now we know
>it can be lifted"). Credit to FEAT for most of the
>following quote too (I can't believe my plagiarism is a
>reoccurring theme; how very very embarrassing!):
>
>"A highly effective treatment exists to treat autism. This
>treatment was pioneered and developed by Dr. Ivar Lovaas at
>the University of California. Lovaas treatment, officially
>termed "Applied Behavioural Analysis Treatment' (or ABA) has
>been scientifically proven effective in treating young
>children with autism. 47% of children who begin this
>treatment before the age of four lose their diagnosis.
>Another 40 percent will pass their grades in school and
>function independently as adults. In other words, an 87%
>success rate. It should be noted at this point that ABA is
>the ONLY scientifically proven effective treatment. The
>current autism industry in BC is neither scientifically
>proven nor effective – it carries a rehabilitation success
>rate of about 2%, which is the same success rate experienced
>spontaneously without ANY intervention."
>

[Debra Antifaev]

By the way, great letter of response to Andre Picard.
I keep forgetting that all the evil forces who fought against our children have relatives (you know…Aunts, Uncles, Sisters, Brothers, etc)
I know…I know…it's always SEEMS as if they "were born of a jackal" but frankly to quote Austin Powers we don't really know who's "sh*$!!$g" who.
Picards piece was quoting a bit too much of a discredited piece of "junk science" from UBC for my comfort. So…..great letter!!

[Debra Antifaev]

I have sent the online petition to everyone on my email list and asked them to either:
1. Sign online and forward to everyone on their email list and/or,

2. Print up a page and take it to their work

I have told them to make sure that no one SIGNS TWICE as this could mess things up.
My brother in law shocked me by taking a petition around the workplace (he is a quiet guy!)
Hooray for Trent!!!
I will drop the ones I have right now at Russ Heibert's office.

(Sorry Nancy, I only have 50…not many friends, I guess!! but I have sent another 30 out by email)

Deb

[Debra Antifaev]

Thanks for the 'phone calls of support from Karen and Monika…not many people talking to me lately…feel like there has been a death in the family!
Anyhoo..
Now that I have taught myself to cut and paste (yes, Sabrina you would be proud!!) here is another letter to the Peace Arch News (our local rag)that Karen asked me to share.
I don't know if either letter will be printed

Ed,
I must take exception to a couple of comments by "Sam from White Rock" to Bill Good on CKNW radio today (Nov 24, 2004)
Sam found the comments of a mother of a child with Autism to be rude when she referred to the politician who had lied to her about medical treatment for her child as "slimey"
The all due respect, Sam, the woman had just heard that her child didn't count in this country. I am sorry we cannot all be as respectful and calm and collected, as you obviously are, when faced with this knowledge.
I also find your comparing Autism treatment with the fact that a $20 PSA test for prostate cancer is not covered by medical either, is like comparing apples and oranges.
First, there are other tests to detect prostate cancer.
Second, you can get a check-up EVERY year, covered by medical, whether you are in a high risk group or not.
Third, the sum of $20 is hardly going to deny a huge portion of society access to the test.
And finally, if you are ever diagnosed with prostate cancer, the country is not going to ask if YOUR life is worth saving.
I have personally endured many rude comments, with regard to my son, ranging from "retard" to "the Romans used to chuck those kids off the cliffs", so anytime you think that other mother has the corner on the market on rude and disrespectful comments, feel free to give me a call. I'm in the book.
The ruling against children with Autism was horrific and it will impact many lives whether or not you personally believe they are worth wasting the money on.

Sincerely,
Debra Antifaev
South Surrey

[Debra Antifaev]

I also sent a brief letter to the Province (sorry guys it's exam amd essay time!)
Tried not to let too much of my anger "shine through"…but it was tough….don't know if it will be printed…

Re: Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin assertion that the judges are not activists. (The Province Nov 24,2004)
Believe me, Ms. McLachlin, the parents of children with autism do not use the word "activist" when describing you and your six colleagues.
We watched the legal manoeuvrings over the last year with postponements, etc, so that any justice sympathetic to the needs of children could not sit on this decision.
We read the poorly written and inaccurate decision full of errors with regard to who Dr. Lovaas is. The decision could not even identify correctly who was a witness for the crown and who was a witness for the plaintiffs. We heard the threats from parliament to "cut the wings" of the activist judges after the gay marriage ruling. The Justices were paying attention too, obviously.
Your poorly written decision was not only an insult to the parents of children with autism, it was a middle finger to your lower court colleagues. It showed, with all the time and money in the world, you did not even bother to read their lower court decision. A decision that mentioned science, discrimination and cost savings as well as morality.
Explain to me how you would accept a medical report that had already been discredited?
Explain to me how, with all the information at your fingertips you would not know who Dr. Ivar Lovaas is?
Activist?
I would never refer to you as an activist, "Puppet" perhaps, but never an activist!

D. M. Antifaev
Surrey, BC
604-531-1846

[Debra Antifaev]

Oops!
For crying out loud, I meant Nov 22, 2004.
Jean is on the radio just before Sabrina's fabulous interview!

[Debra Antifaev]

Also worth listening to is our very own Jean Lewis (at about 2:18pm, November 21… on with Michael Campbell) just ripping into another one of those "well-meaning and very sympathetic people who would just love to see the PARENTS of children with autism get some more babysitting"
AWw, shucks, thanks for your kind support….
Jean, you were awesome!!

[Debra Antifaev]

Found it!
Thanks Michelle
….just as an aside…what are you still doing up at midnight?!!

Deb

[Debra Antifaev]

Regarding WCB, I am not sure, but I would think that if you don't have to have it for Molly Maid, a plumber, an electrician, or your consultant…why would you have to make things different for your therapists?
I think we have to be very careful to follow the same rules with ALL independent contractors.
Can anyone else let me know what you think?

Thanks,

Deb

[Debra Antifaev]

It's supposed to be complicated, Ivy. I have to follow on the coat-tails of the justifiably angry Stephen.
The Government wants this whole process to be very difficult and daunting so that people, already devastated with a special needs child, will not attempt their own program or demand money that is rightfully theirs!!
This is also a pretty good way of making those discredited Government programs that DO NOT offer effective treament (read free babysitting with a wait-list) looked tempting to those already exhausted by the process.
Do not be put off, Ivy, take some time and go to the FEAT meeting, call the ASBC, find a friend, read Stephen's post, get angry at the MCFD putting you through all this unnecessarily and do not take your advice from the Government.

Good Luck!

Deb

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