I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition

[Guest guest]

 

Hi,

I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently

signed:

" Oppose Ari Ne'eman for National Disability Council "

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/opposeari/

I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add

your signature, too. It's free and takes just a few seconds of your time.

Thanks!

Below is what I posted in the comments section of the petition.

As the parent of a 33 year old man with Autism, I am writing in regard to the

appointment of Mr. Ari Ne’eman to the Council on Disability.

Mr. Ne’eman claims to be Autistic but in fact was diagnosed with Asperger’s

disorder at the age of 12. Asperger’s is not, as some people would say,

“Autism lightâ€. The two disorders are listed in the DSM IV as “Pervasive

Development Disorders†but each has its own coding number and its own

criteria. Autism is listed in the DSM IV as 299.00 and Asperger’s as 299.80.

Interestingly, Rett’s Disorder is also listed as 299.80 but Mr. Ne’eman does

not claim to have Rett’s.

Asthma, pneumonia, the flu, the common cold and emphysema are all respiratory

disorders, but they aren't the same thing.　　I have never heard of anyone say

that they have emphysema when they are only having a bout with the flu.

Mr. Ne’eman claims to speak for all people with Autism; however, he actually

speaks for a small group of people who don’t believe in any cure or prevention

of Autism.

His viewpoint of diversity is that Autism is a “culture†and any efforts to

cure or prevent it are an attempt to eliminate that culture.

His organization, the Autism Self Advocacy Network, have held protests against

other Autism organizations because their agenda is not the same as theirs. This

includes organizations that advocate cure and prevention. This in itself does

not reflect diversity of viewpoints.

He and his organization ASAN is one of the few disability advocacy groups that

do not seek or want a cure or prevention. Although lin Roosevelt recovered

from polio enough to later become governor of New York and then four term

President of the United States, but he never gave up the idea of a cure or

prevention of polio. He even started the National Foundation for Infantile

Paralysis which became the March of Dimes.

If all people with Autism functioned at the same level as Mr. Ne’eman, I might

agree that there was no need for a cure.

However, there are too many people with Autism who don’t and will never

function anywhere near that level. Mr. Ne’eman lives in New Jersey, attends

the University of land-Baltimore County and maintains an office in

Washington, DC. He also travels extensively around the country to speak at

various forums.

My son couldn’t walk to a neighborhood store by himself. He would most likely

get lost or hit by a car since he has no sense of direction or understanding of

the danger of moving cars.

Some people with Autism cannot comfortably travel any distance at all because

the engine noise or tire hum assaults their sensory system.

The mission statement of the Autism Self Advocacy Network

(http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/) states in part; “Working in fields such as

public policy, media representation, research and systems change, ASAN hopes to

empower Autistic people across the world to take control of their own lives and

the future of our common community.â€

Many of the people I know with Autism cannot and never will be able to take

control of their lives. Many cannot speak or use a communicative device to let

their thoughts be know. Some don’t have control over their bowels and

bladders. Yes, adults who have worn diapers all their lives because they cannot

be toilet trained. Some smear the contents of their diapers on walls and other

objects around them. They cannot control their meltdowns when things in their

environment disturb them.

In conclusion I would ask that you do not allow a person who speaks for his own

agenda and that of a few others to speak for the vast majority of people on the

Autism Spectrum at a national level.

Thank you,

Tallman

 

 

Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants.

Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you.

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

Ben lin