[Mike & Jean]

I have been asked to comment on and offer my opinion regarding the provincial government’s recent decision to discontinue the “direct payment” option in favour of “invoice payments”. I have delayed responding for three reasons: 1.) I’ve been waiting to see what others have to say, particularly parents of newly diagnosed children, which so far is not much, and, 2.) I was waiting to see if someone else would deliver the inconvenient truth, and, 3.) I wanted to digest the enormous emotional impact of the most recent tragic incidents in each of Edmonton and Toronto.

My opinions are based largely but not solely on experience gained over the last 12 years – advocating for ABA to be included, provided and paid for by our health care system. That is why FEAT of BC existed and why The Medicare for Autism Now Society was created.

By way of background, I am one of the founding directors of FEAT of BC and more recently The Medicare for Autism Now Society. I was also one of the Auton and Hewko litigants and was on the legal steering committees for both cases. In FEAT’s early years, along with Sabrina Freeman, FEAT’s founding executive director, I helped countless families set-up home-based ABA programs. Together, we organized ABA conferences, workshops, seminars, and facilitated parent discussion groups. FEAT of BC created the treatment movement in BC which eventually provided the impetus for the rest of Canada. Recently, as a director of Medicare for Autism Now, I’ve travelled across Canada on three occasions working specifically on initiatives to have legislation passed which would enshrine all our childrens’ treatment under Medicare. I know I have used the word “I” a lot, but, clearly, I have had the “benefit” of an extensive array of experience in the autism advocacy business. I’ve met with bureaucrats at every level, provincial and federal politicians from every political party….I’ve heard all their spin. I’ve learned valuable and sometimes extremely painful lessons. They form the basis for my opinion.

The province’s decision to discontinue the direct funding option is completely unacceptable. It is definitely not in the best interests of our children and their families. If passed, it will be a retrograde step, taking us back to the situation that existed in BC before the Auton decision. I believe it is the first step in dismantling autism treatment funding. Why? ….Because they can. There is NO law which protects this funding. In fact, this funding ONLY exists because of the Auton decision. And it continues to exist solely at the discretion of the faceless, nameless bureaucrats. The fact of the matter is: autism funding can be taken away tomorrow with the stroke of a pen. The government’s preferred “invoice payment option” effectively takes parents and, therefore, children out of the equation. With you out of the loop, others will decide what is best for your child and, eventually, might decide whether your child is making enough “progress” to keep funding treatment..(see what’s happening in Ontario)

Lesson #1 – Never, ever abdicate your parental choice and control to a bureaucrat. Your child’s best interest is never their first priority.

Pre-Auton, there was NO treatment funding at all. Any funding came packaged as: respite, daycare, or babysitting, all of which were wait-listed and means-tested. Some parents did receive substantial amounts of money, if they kept quiet about it, and collaborated with bureaucrats. So – if you “made nice”, didn’t rock the boat, and didn’t talk about treatment – you got money.

Lesson#2 – Never collaborate with bureaucrats. “Collaborate” is bureaucrat-speak for “Do what I say”. It might work for a while for those engaged in it, but it doesn’t last. Eventually, the collaborators are cut off. In the last 12 years of being in this fight up close and personal, the only two things that have made measurable, sustained gains for all have been litigation and focused political action…not making nice. In fact, in my experience making nice actually makes the situation worse.

FEAT of BC was created in 1996 for the single purpose of making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally available and funded by government. Auton created some treatment funding, but as we see by the provincial government’s recent decision, it’s not protected. Today, lack of complete treatment funding remains the biggest obstacle to meeting the needs of people with autism in Canada. The solution lies in law that ensures our childrens’right to health care. That is why we need Medicare for Autism Now!

The Hewko decision created a precedent for all school districts to do the right thing. Sadly, most are not, but the ones that are demonstrating good faith are only doing so because they don’t want to be the next Hewko. I encourage more parents to read and understand how to use the gains made in the Hewko decision when dealing with difficult school districts.

Lesson #3 -Law can only be useful when enforced.

How should parents respond to the provincial government’s decision?
If our child was much younger and his $20k of treatment funding was in jeopardy; this is what I’d do:
I would begin by organizing a MASSIVE rally at the Premier’s constituency office. I would make sure there were hundreds of parents, family members, friends, colleagues and supporters there…all carrying placards which would say a variety of things, such as: How many more Canadian children need to die before the government acts? In Canada – health care is a right! I would have as many media attend as possible. I would have lots of parents “tell their story”. I would arrange media interviews focusing on the recent deaths in Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal – each a result of government failure to take the morally right and economically sensible action. I would park myself at my MLAs office until they helped. I’d contact my local community newspapers and invite them to join me at the MLAs office for an interview…. and I’d keep doing it for as long as necessary….but that’s just me….

Now is the time to act. Parents must decide if you are going to continue being a supplicant – risking your child’s future to the whims of government bureaucracy, or will you stand-up and, as a citizen and tax payer, demand better?

In Canada, fully-funded, science-based treatment for autism is a reasonable expectation – our children deserve no less. It is their right and should be our solemn obligation.

Lesson#4 – “Those who will not learn history are destined to repeat it.” – Edmund Burke

Time to wake-up, get organized and and get it done!

Jean Lewis,
Medicare for Autism Now!
mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

I have been asked to comment on and offer my opinion regarding the provincial government’s recent decision to discontinue the “direct payment” option in favour of “invoice payments”. I have delayed responding for three reasons: 1.) I’ve been waiting to see what others have to say, particularly parents of newly diagnosed children, which so far is not much, and, 2.) I was waiting to see if someone else would deliver the inconvenient truth, and, 3.) I wanted to digest the enormous emotional impact of the most recent tragic incidents in each of Edmonton and Toronto.

My opinions are based largely but not solely on experience gained over the last 12 years – advocating for ABA to be included, provided and paid for by our health care system. That is why FEAT of BC existed and why The Medicare for Autism Now Society was created.

By way of background, I am one of the founding directors of FEAT of BC and more recently The Medicare for Autism Now Society. I was also one of the Auton and Hewko litigants and was on the legal steering committees for both cases. In FEAT’s early years, along with Sabrina Freeman, FEAT’s founding executive director, I helped countless families set-up home-based ABA programs. Together, we organized ABA conferences, workshops, seminars, and facilitated parent discussion groups. FEAT of BC created the treatment movement in BC which eventually provided the impetus for the rest of Canada. Recently, as a director of Medicare for Autism Now, I’ve travelled across Canada on three occasions working specifically on initiatives to have legislation passed which would enshrine all our childrens’ treatment under Medicare. I know I have used the word “I” a lot, but, clearly, I have had the “benefit” of an extensive array of experience in the autism advocacy business. I’ve met with bureaucrats at every level, provincial and federal politicians from every political party….I’ve heard all their spin. I’ve learned valuable and sometimes extremely painful lessons. They form the basis for my opinion.

The province’s decision to discontinue the direct funding option is completely unacceptable. It is definitely not in the best interests of our children and their families. If passed, it will be a retrograde step, taking us back to the situation that existed in BC before the Auton decision. I believe it is the first step in dismantling autism treatment funding. Why? ….Because they can. There is NO law which protects this funding. In fact, this funding ONLY exists because of the Auton decision. And it continues to exist solely at the discretion of the faceless, nameless bureaucrats. The fact of the matter is: autism funding can be taken away tomorrow with the stroke of a pen. The government’s preferred “invoice payment option” effectively takes parents and, therefore, children out of the equation. With you out of the loop, others will decide what is best for your child and, eventually, might decide whether your child is making enough “progress” to keep funding treatment..(see what’s happening in Ontario)

Lesson #1 – Never, ever abdicate your parental choice and control to a bureaucrat. Your child’s best interest is never their first priority.

Pre-Auton, there was NO treatment funding at all. Any funding came packaged as: respite, daycare, or babysitting, all of which were wait-listed and means-tested. Some parents did receive substantial amounts of money, if they kept quiet about it, and collaborated with bureaucrats. So – if you “made nice”, didn’t rock the boat, and didn’t talk about treatment – you got money.

Lesson#2 – Never collaborate with bureaucrats. “Collaborate” is bureaucrat-speak for “Do what I say”. It might work for a while for those engaged in it, but it doesn’t last. Eventually, the collaborators are cut off. In the last 12 years of being in this fight up close and personal, the only two things that have made measurable, sustained gains for all have been litigation and focused political action…not making nice. In fact, in my experience making nice actually makes the situation worse.

FEAT of BC was created in 1996 for the single purpose of making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally available and funded by government. Auton created some treatment funding, but as we see by the provincial government’s recent decision, it’s not protected. Today, lack of complete treatment funding remains the biggest obstacle to meeting the needs of people with autism in Canada. The solution lies in law that ensures our childrens’right to health care. That is why we need Medicare for Autism Now!

The Hewko decision created a precedent for all school districts to do the right thing. Sadly, most are not, but the ones that are demonstrating good faith are only doing so because they don’t want to be the next Hewko. I encourage more parents to read and understand how to use the gains made in the Hewko decision when dealing with difficult school districts.

Lesson #3 -Law can only be useful when enforced.

How should parents respond to the provincial government’s decision?
If our child was much younger and his $20k of treatment funding was in jeopardy; this is what I’d do:
I would begin by organizing a MASSIVE rally at the Premier’s constituency office. I would make sure there were hundreds of parents, family members, friends, colleagues and supporters there…all carrying placards which would say a variety of things, such as: How many more Canadian children need to die before the government acts? In Canada – health care is a right! I would have as many media attend as possible. I would have lots of parents “tell their story”. I would arrange media interviews focusing on the recent deaths in Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal – each a result of government failure to take the morally right and economically sensible action. I would park myself at my MLAs office until they helped. I’d contact my local community newspapers and invite them to join me at the MLAs office for an interview…. and I’d keep doing it for as long as necessary….but that’s just me….

Now is the time to act. Parents must decide if you are going to continue being a supplicant – risking your child’s future to the whims of government bureaucracy, or will you stand-up and, as a citizen and tax payer, demand better?

In Canada, fully-funded, science-based treatment for autism is a reasonable expectation – our children deserve no less. It is their right and should be our solemn obligation.

Lesson#4 – “Those who will not learn history are destined to repeat it.” – Edmund Burke

Time to wake-up, get organized and and get it done!

Jean Lewis,
Medicare for Autism Now!
mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

We are recruiting for an additional therapist to join our 15 year old son's team. We have a solid, well-managed and supervised team which offers lots of opportunity to learn.

Please send resume including references to jean.lewis@telus.net

[Mike & Jean]

The following article was published in today's North Shore News. If I lived in North Vancouver, I would be extremely concerned! "Clustering" is simply another name for SEGREGATION. I would also suggest that if the North Vancouver School District is successful in this venture…others are sure to follow….and soon.

________________________________________________

NVSD approves autism learning centre
Benjamin Alldritt, North Shore News
Published: Friday, March 20, 2009
North Vancouver school district is looking to improve its teaching of those with autism.

Trustees instructed staff March 10 to develop a "learning centre for students with autism and related disorders," essentially a room dedicated to the needs of the district's 133 autistic children.

The wording of the motion was left deliberately vague to allow staff a great deal of flexibility in implementing the idea. The plan builds on the concept of clustering, where students with comparable needs are concentrated at a particular school. However, staff told trustees that there are a wide range of needs within the term "autism."

While no schools are named in the motion, the staff report did suggest that two schools, Norgate and Seymour Heights, would provide the best coverage of the district.

© North Shore News 2009

[Mike & Jean]

The following article was published in today's North Shore News. If I lived in North Vancouver, I would be extremely concerned! "Clustering" is simply another name for SEGREGATION. I would also suggest that if the North Vancouver School District is successful in this venture…others are sure to follow….and soon.

________________________________________________

NVSD approves autism learning centre
Benjamin Alldritt, North Shore News
Published: Friday, March 20, 2009
North Vancouver school district is looking to improve its teaching of those with autism.

Trustees instructed staff March 10 to develop a "learning centre for students with autism and related disorders," essentially a room dedicated to the needs of the district's 133 autistic children.

The wording of the motion was left deliberately vague to allow staff a great deal of flexibility in implementing the idea. The plan builds on the concept of clustering, where students with comparable needs are concentrated at a particular school. However, staff told trustees that there are a wide range of needs within the term "autism."

While no schools are named in the motion, the staff report did suggest that two schools, Norgate and Seymour Heights, would provide the best coverage of the district.

© North Shore News 2009

[Mike & Jean]

The following article was published in today's North Shore News. If I lived in North Vancouver, I would be extremely concerned! "Clustering" is simply another name for SEGREGATION. I would also suggest that if the North Vancouver School District is successful in this venture…others are sure to follow….and soon.

________________________________________________

NVSD approves autism learning centre
Benjamin Alldritt, North Shore News
Published: Friday, March 20, 2009
North Vancouver school district is looking to improve its teaching of those with autism.

Trustees instructed staff March 10 to develop a "learning centre for students with autism and related disorders," essentially a room dedicated to the needs of the district's 133 autistic children.

The wording of the motion was left deliberately vague to allow staff a great deal of flexibility in implementing the idea. The plan builds on the concept of clustering, where students with comparable needs are concentrated at a particular school. However, staff told trustees that there are a wide range of needs within the term "autism."

While no schools are named in the motion, the staff report did suggest that two schools, Norgate and Seymour Heights, would provide the best coverage of the district.

© North Shore News 2009

[Mike & Jean]

The following article was published in today's North Shore News. If I lived in North Vancouver, I would be extremely concerned! "Clustering" is simply another name for SEGREGATION. I would also suggest that if the North Vancouver School District is successful in this venture…others are sure to follow….and soon.

________________________________________________

NVSD approves autism learning centre
Benjamin Alldritt, North Shore News
Published: Friday, March 20, 2009
North Vancouver school district is looking to improve its teaching of those with autism.

Trustees instructed staff March 10 to develop a "learning centre for students with autism and related disorders," essentially a room dedicated to the needs of the district's 133 autistic children.

The wording of the motion was left deliberately vague to allow staff a great deal of flexibility in implementing the idea. The plan builds on the concept of clustering, where students with comparable needs are concentrated at a particular school. However, staff told trustees that there are a wide range of needs within the term "autism."

While no schools are named in the motion, the staff report did suggest that two schools, Norgate and Seymour Heights, would provide the best coverage of the district.

© North Shore News 2009

[Mike & Jean]

The following article was published in today's North Shore News. If I lived in North Vancouver, I would be extremely concerned! "Clustering" is simply another name for SEGREGATION. I would also suggest that if the North Vancouver School District is successful in this venture…others are sure to follow….and soon.

________________________________________________

NVSD approves autism learning centre
Benjamin Alldritt, North Shore News
Published: Friday, March 20, 2009
North Vancouver school district is looking to improve its teaching of those with autism.

Trustees instructed staff March 10 to develop a "learning centre for students with autism and related disorders," essentially a room dedicated to the needs of the district's 133 autistic children.

The wording of the motion was left deliberately vague to allow staff a great deal of flexibility in implementing the idea. The plan builds on the concept of clustering, where students with comparable needs are concentrated at a particular school. However, staff told trustees that there are a wide range of needs within the term "autism."

While no schools are named in the motion, the staff report did suggest that two schools, Norgate and Seymour Heights, would provide the best coverage of the district.

© North Shore News 2009

[Mike & Jean]

——————————————————————————–
By Mike & Jean (Lewis) on Thursday, February 26, 2009 – 10:42 pm:
Please see the following invitation. For those who don't know, David has provided FEAT with strategic advice for the last three years. He is also one of the founding directors of Medicare for Autism Now! If elected, he will publicly advocate for legislation amending the provincial guidelines to have autism treatment covered under Medicare. I encourage you to attend this event, regardless of where you live.

Everyone who knows him wonders what took so long….but… we’re thrilled that our friend, neighbour, former lawyer, public affairs consultant, tireless community activist, powerful advocate for the voiceless……

David Marley is finally running for public office as an Independent Candidate for election as MLA for
West Vancouver – Capilano on May 12th.

Please join us in launching his campaign:

“Vote for a Voice – It’s Time to be Heard!”

Saturday, February 28th, 2009
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Tamarack Room – Delbrook Recreation Centre
600 West Queens Rd.,
North Vancouver, BC

David would love to meet you. Come and find out who he is and why he wants to be your MLA. Hear speakers representing diverse groups describe how David’s expertise and commitment made a positive difference in their lives and organizations. This will be a fun and informal event! Talking and laughing are encouraged! Everyone, including children is welcome! Light refreshments will be available.

Due to space limitations and enormous interest – please RSVP •••.A.P. to vote4marley@gmail.com or call: 604-290-5737

We rely upon and respect your opinions. If you live in West Vancouver – Capilano, please click on: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=lh_2fZN5_2fBAO9qSPggA4_2fWpQ_3d_3d and complete our questionnaire. Thanks!

[Mike & Jean]

——————————————————————————–
By Mike & Jean (Lewis) on Thursday, February 26, 2009 – 10:42 pm:
Please see the following invitation. For those who don't know, David has provided FEAT with strategic advice for the last three years. He is also one of the founding directors of Medicare for Autism Now! If elected, he will publicly advocate for legislation amending the provincial guidelines to have autism treatment covered under Medicare. I encourage you to attend this event, regardless of where you live.

Everyone who knows him wonders what took so long….but… we’re thrilled that our friend, neighbour, former lawyer, public affairs consultant, tireless community activist, powerful advocate for the voiceless……

David Marley is finally running for public office as an Independent Candidate for election as MLA for
West Vancouver – Capilano on May 12th.

Please join us in launching his campaign:

“Vote for a Voice – It’s Time to be Heard!”

Saturday, February 28th, 2009
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Tamarack Room – Delbrook Recreation Centre
600 West Queens Rd.,
North Vancouver, BC

David would love to meet you. Come and find out who he is and why he wants to be your MLA. Hear speakers representing diverse groups describe how David’s expertise and commitment made a positive difference in their lives and organizations. This will be a fun and informal event! Talking and laughing are encouraged! Everyone, including children is welcome! Light refreshments will be available.

Due to space limitations and enormous interest – please RSVP •••.A.P. to vote4marley@gmail.com or call: 604-290-5737

We rely upon and respect your opinions. If you live in West Vancouver – Capilano, please click on: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=lh_2fZN5_2fBAO9qSPggA4_2fWpQ_3d_3d and complete our questionnaire. Thanks!

[Author]

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