A Savage Betrayal Of Humanity...

[Guest guest]

I couldn't say this any better myself, so I'm just going to copy and

paste everything here. I saw a lame apology on the news from some

guy who had called Autistic children " brats " . I didn't know what was

going on, so I decided to look it up. Here's what I found (and the

webpages I found it at):

http://steveyoungonpolitics.com/a-savage-betrayal-of-humanity-radio-

host-michael-savage-says-autistic-kids-arent-sickjust-brats/

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A Savage Betrayal Of Humanity: Radio Host Savage Says

Autistic Kids Aren't Sick… " Just Brats "

July 18, 2008 · Filed Under Media, Savage

by Steve and Young

I've written for years about the problems I've had with talk radio,

and did so, for the most part with tongue tucked firmly in cheek.

I've even had my own show in L.A. so In some way, I've been a part of

the problem I write about. I do get ticked off, but rarely does

anything said on talk radio ever cause me to lose my sense of humor.

Until this past Wednesday.

On his syndicated talk radio show, The Savage Nation, Savage

(real name: Weiner), the third most listened to talk show

host behind Rush Limbaugh and Hannity, and a bomb thrower like

no other, called the disorder known as Autism, " a fraud " and " a

racket. "

He went further.

" I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a

brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is.

What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a

father around to tell them, `Don't act like a moron. You'll get

nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a

man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot. "

(Full audio at: http://mediamatters.org/items/200807170005?f=h_top)

http://mediamatters.org/items/200807170005?f=h_top

There's so much I wanted to say, not only to pound some actual

knowledge into whatever Savage uses for a brain, but also to defend

those families who have been besieged by the heartbreak and hardship

of living with someone, especially their children, with Autism.

I wondered how Savage might feel it were his child who was constantly

being met with disapproving stares from strangers who recommend

that " if your child can't behave maybe you shouldn't take him out in

public. " And how he might feel if the knew that it is going to happen

every single day.

But as I began to write a note to Savage, I realized that it would be

more appropriate to have someone who knows full well the devastation

felt of not only hearing the diagnosis of your child as autistic, but

having to live through the day to day sadness, frustration and pain

you feel when it hits you that your child may never have what most

would consider a typical life. For that I turned to my son …

From …

Mr. Savage,

My eight year old daughter has a diagnosis of Autism.

Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs social

interaction and communication, and causes restricted and repetitive

behavior. That diagnosis in itself may help define a set of 's

symptoms, but it far from defines who she is any more than

insensitive or mean-spirited totally describes you.

can be sweet, funny, happy, sad, angry, silly, frustrating,

irritating, gentle, kind or any number of other adjectives you'd use

to describe a typical eight year old, though brat is not one that her

doctors have used to describe her. That usually only comes from those

ignorant of her condition.

When is having a meltdown or dealing with any other upsetting

moment in a public place, we are almost always met with judgmental

glares from onlookers who are thinking, boy, if that was my child… or

who might even say, " If you can't control that child, keep her home! "

G-d forbid these people ask if there anything they can do to help

you. It's something every parent of an autistic child has had to deal

with most every day.

If you don't understand Autism, its very easy to say or think such

things. I probably did too before my wife and I had , but I

never went on a radio show, where millions of people believe I am

some sort of authority, to label innocent children as a moron or

idiot. That you supposedly hold master's degrees in medical botany

and medical anthropology makes your actions even more shameful.

Imagine, Mr Savage, if you lacked the ability to express your

feelings, thoughts or needs. Imagine if this were your child. Would

you want your child smeared for something they had no control over?

Many children with autism lack the capacity to verbalize their

feelings instead act them out. This is not how they act like a putz.

This is how they communicate.

Being her father, I see 's many challenges, stressors and

unexpected events that challenge her ability to get through each and

every day. As parents, her stressful and frustrating moments become

OUR stressful and frustrating moments. What loving parent doesn't

cheer when their child succeeds or aches when their child is hurt,

frustrated or upset?

Because the world challenges so incessantly it would be easy

to want to keep her home, insulated from the world, protecting her

against the whirlwind of circumstances that at once can delight her

one moment or upset and anger her the next. But ours is a life built

on " that which does not kill you, can only make you stronger. " With

each challenge meets head on, she can learn and grow,

hopefully adapting to the world, one step at a time. With each fall

that she rises from she learns to walk a little stronger; gains

confidence, and actually learns to become the best she can be.

What no parent of a special needs child wants is to be pre-judged or

isolated and kept in the shadows so that people like you don't have

to look at a child with a disability. We want and need support of

those around us and hope upon hope that our child be treated with

compassion and understanding.

This week, you Mr. Savage, have made that a little harder.

Sincerely,

's Proud Dad, Young

For more information on Autism, go to: Autism Speaks at

www.autismspeaks.org

Young is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York. His dad

is author of " Great Failures of the Extremely Successful…Mistakes,

Adversity, Failure and Other Steppingstones to Success. "

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Amen! God bless all of us parents and our children!!!

Here's a quote, that as a Christian, I love:

" Dear Lord,

I need your warm arm around my shoulder, and your hand over my mouth. "