This was in the Sunday Paper
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| Mon, 01-28-2008 - 4:15pm |
Featured, front and center, is Suzanna Wright and her grandson, Christian. Suzanna Wright is the co-founder of Autism Speaks - and, because of her impressive wealth, connections and energy, has become, in many venues, "the voice of autism." Wright, in a mini-article entitled "Autism Changes Everything," has this to say:
Some may view autism as the disease du jour, the cause of the moment. That trivializes what many are enduring. Families are literally going broke trying to provide their children with the services they deserve. Adults with autism are failing to meet their potential.To many (including me), the presentation of Suzanna Wright as the voice of authority relative to autism is ... to say the least, disconcerting. While she's certainly impassioned, her desire to eradicate autism is just a wee bit terrifying. I can't imagine that she means to imply that people WITH autism should be eradicated, but the choice of words, combined with the power Wright now has to manage and distribute funds, is troubling. Though Wright describes herself as concerned about funding for treatment and opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum, this really is not a focus of Autism Speaks - which at this point manages a tremendous proportion of funds available for autism research, education, treatment, and lifelong care.
Our grief evolved into feelings of anger and, eventually, determination. We started a foundation called Autism Speaks and, working with thousands of remarkable parents, have brought this issue front and center. With the help of the United Nations, we are taking this effort global. This year, April 2 will be World Autism Awareness Day.We’re now playing catch-up as we try to stem the tide and ultimately eradicate autism for the sake of future generations. If we continue our current trajectory, we’ll get there in my lifetime.
Meanwhile, though, articles like this one certainly raise awareness of autism, its challenges, and the history of the "autism spectrum." And, while the article misses the boat in a number of areas, it's also fairly calm in its tone - and positive in its outlook.

I had the same concerns about Suzanna Wright getting a 1/2 a page of the article, esp when the article was really only 2 1/2 pgs. It was pretty positive, but vague. Sometimes I feel like they push the one in 150 kids thing so much that people are getting numb to it.
Betsy
For years I've said the same thing: AutismSpeaks does not speak for me. I speak for myself, and I encourage others to do so as well.
I have my own point of view, and I give out soapboxes -free of charge- to those who want to voice theirs. One need not be a multi-millionaire to do that. One need only have a hat to pass to pay for the press or server, and be willing to commit Acts of Mass Compassion.

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