In my previous post, I stated how I really don't feel strongly towards one candidate or another. While I was thinking about this and updating my blog at the same time, I realized that my feelings are in part that not one politician is talking about what affects my life right now.
I find it appalling that not a single candidate has made Autism and it's treatment a main platform topic for this election. With the number of children who are diagnosed rising at an alarming rate, while the cost for treatment also rises, it makes me wonder if there is anyone who cares about this predicament facing our society?
For those who do not understand Autism, it is classified as a behavioral disorder, but there are new studies all the time that say it is most likely linked to something physical in the body and brain that is not right. A very likely theory is too much heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, in the body. These travel in to the child's body from the mother during pregnancy that she has absorbed through the pollution in the environment around her. Mercury poisoning is being quickly accepted as one main offender towards causing Autism (though there are many). If there are any women out there who are thinking about having children, I beg of you to have any amalgam fillings for cavities removed months a head of time of your expected pregnancy and replaced with non-amalgam fillings. When amalgam is put in to and removed from the mouth, it releases a mercury based vapor that gets inhaled by the patient. Also, when children are born, they are given a barrage of vaccination shots, some they do not need right then. These vaccines contain Thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative. It just seems like we want our children to have mercury poisoning! And since we know that mercury causes cancer, how many older people are being affected by this years later? The body simply can not naturally get rid of mercury. Once it is in your body, it is in there forever. You can go through natural or medical kelation therapy to rid yourself of heavy metals, but both can be pricey and are extremely dangerous. At that note, I must urge all who are now thinking of kelating, DO NOT TRY THIS WITHOUT MEDICAL SUPERVISION. It can kill you or your child if not done properly.
I also might add that my mother had two big amalgam fillings taken out and replaced during the middle of her pregnancy with my sister. Coincidence? I think not.
The reason I care so much for this topic is because my 4-year-old sister was diagnosed with autism two and a half years ago and she has been in constant, costly treatment since. Some of you may wonder why the insurance simply does not pay for it. Well, according to Indiana law, if the company (such as the one my father worked for) is self-insured, they can choose whether or not to cover the treatment. With my sister's treatment in Indiana costing around $30,000 a year, of course they didn't cover it. This forced, along with a poor selection of facilities for my sister, my parents to relocate down to Houston, TX. There, they have found a much better school for my sister where it costs a little over $1000 a week for her treatment (and that is if she stays at 20hrs a week and not have the time increased). My father's new company may or may not pay for the insurance and they are hoping beyond all hope that they will. If not, my parents will surely go into bankruptcy.
What is happening to my family is happening all across the nation. And there are even more family's who can't afford to even get the cheapest of help for their children. The simple fact of it all is that Autism IS treatable, but so many children go without treatment and suffer the consequences the rest of their lives. And when these children turn into adults who can not function normally in society, that puts a strain on our economy. Therefore, I go back to my point of why not one candidate has made this an issue. Autism is real, and it's a growing problem.
4 comments:
My child has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. I know that child disorders are a costly and important issue, and although I respect your fire, I don't think that a presidential candidate should make it a main platform topic.
Many children suffer from numerous diseases and disorders that effect families abilities to pay for insurance, specialty care and therapies. Addressing the health care system is one way that we can resolve this problem. It is not going to be easy. My child is in need of in excess of $1200 per month for medication. We should also focus on the pharmaceutical companies and their gouging of americans who need costly medications. Don't even get me started on costly therapists and couseling. . .
But as far as a presidential platform I think that's highly unlikely. Would I like to see things change? Yep. On a presidential scale? Unfortunately I don't think it would make a difference. And who's to say that Autism should be on the platform and other childhood or mental health issues should not be. Autism is definitely the "diagnosis of choice" today, much like ADD was 10 years ago and Early On-set Bi-Polar after that. Many times it does get thrown around by every teacher, para-professional and couselor when a kid has a dificult time was adjustment.
There are still those who claim second hand smoke isn't a harm, how are we to get people to believe that vaccinations are an issue. I'm not sold on that issue myself. I personally think it could be the lesser of two evils, but that's another post for another day. . .
Once again, I respect your drive to get the word out, but I think time would be well spent focusing on dealing with our health system and allowing children the services needed for a productive life.
State legislators could also focus on school sytem preparedness for children such as these and meeting their needs in a public school system. Many have out of necessity, but many are still hiding their heads in the sand hoping it will go away. Indiana's Article 7 says you have to provide my child with a "free and appropriate education" and if there isn't on currently you HAVE to create one. More parents need to know this and force the issue and the schools will be held accountable.
Fort Wayne Community Schools does have an Autism program in affect, but it is laughable at best. And any other public schools that offer it have the exact same situation of sub-par programs. This calls for educational reform that is needed in all aspects.
I believe that this would be an appropriate topic to touch on for presidential campaigns b/c there are so many aspects affected by Autism and helping to change those can also help change programs and treatments for other child ailments.
I have a high functioning autistic child (now a young adult) who now lives an independant self sufficient life--I also have a grandson who is autistic and does not appear at seven years of age to be able to progress to a level beyond that of a two year old. the school system in Missouri is terrible and frankly, these children that are this severe do not and should not be placed in the mainstream public school system- funding for separate facilities is non exsistent we would move in a heartbeat but we're researched other states and their facilities and they are pretty much n the same situation- the mother can't work because the child's needs are so sever he requires 24/7 attending, the school system can't provide anything but 2-4 hours of what they call instruction and therapy and in four years there has benn no significant progress in any area and a private school school is financially out of the question since mom is unable to work- three years ago mom gave up a full ride scholarship because there was no care option for this child- certainly we are not alone in this battle- what or where is some help for us? I would like t see someone address the issue- there is medical help available for the child (very very limited) but the mother has NO medical coverage of any kind and we pray everyday she stays healthy.
Dear Samantha,
I just have a quick question for you but couldn't find an email so had to resort to this. I am a progressive blogger. Please email me back at barbaraobrien@maacenter.org when you get a chance. Thanks.
Barbara
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