Canadian Catholic Women's League Support Our Issues

[Guest guest]

A few months back, I was approached by one of our listmates to speak to

executive members of the Catholic Womens League of Ontario regarding their

interest in advocating on our behalf. I met with two women from the CWL,spent

half a day with them discussing the issues surrounding our advocacy needs in

relation to our children. After meeting, these women agreed to take our issues

to their provincial meeting and do a presentation on the CWL's need to address

our children's issues. The provincial membership of the CWL has tens of

thousands of members.

I am pleased to share with everyone that not only have our issues been taken to

the provincial level, they are now at the national level of the CWL. Below is

the link to their website and our resolution page, and a copied and pasted

version of the resolution.

The CWL is very proud of the impact their organization has on influencing the

political agenda.

In the Requested Members Action #4, I wish to share with you a story shared back

by one of the members I met with. She had never knowingly met or been near a

person living with autism prior to our meeting. The day the ladies came to our

home, they met my son and his IT, and observed some of his ABA session. The

following day, one of the ladies went to her local park and observed a young man

playing on the swings with his mother looking on. She immediately identified

his diagnosis, and struck up conversation with the mother. She shared back with

me that the mother was very emotionally touched by her conversation, that it was

the first time while out in public that someone had recognized her son's issues

and spoke knowledgably and understandably to her about him. This event sparked

the need even further to address our issues, and thus the committment to this

resolution and #4 in the requested members actions.

http://www.cwl.ca/resolutions/year/1995-2004/04-08.htm

Resolution - 04.08

Treatment of Autistic Persons

Submitted by: New Brunswick Provincial Council

Whereas, Autism is one of the most common developmental disorders and its root

cause(s) remain the subject of research; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in

84th annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government, in

conjunction with provincial/territorial governments, to

.. adequately fund research to determine the root cause(s) of autism

.. promote awareness of the special needs of autistic persons

.. provide resources for diagnosis, early intervention, effective treatment, and

family support systems; and, be it further

Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada in

84th annual national convention assembled, encourage provincial councils to urge

their provincial/territorial governments to address the needs of autistic

persons by providing adequate funding for diagnosis, early intervention,

treatment and family support systems.

Requested Members' Action:

1. Write letters to the federal and provincial/territorial ministers of health;

send a copy to your member of parliament/member of the legislative assembly and

the prime minister/premier.

2. Become aware of efforts in your area regarding autism.

3. Support families who have children with autism.

4. Educate yourself and others about autism.