Mother Despises Autism Awareness Month
Yet, Autism Speaks talks about World Autism Awareness Day as an event that "Celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism." I'm all for honoring the achievements of people with autism, but the term "Unique talents and skills" Hardly connotes a global crisis. Ref. Source 8
I can imagine it is frustrating for parents of special children to not be singled out for help on this day but I think we need to look at it for what it is... Just to inform people that there is something called "Autism" And we need to be aware of it.
FairMaiden, I agree to a certain extent. Unfortunately, they become aware that there is an organization called Autism Speaks, the color of the organization is blue hence the "Light it up blue" Campaign. It ends up highlighting them rather the condition. It all ends up in fundraising purposes. Have you seen the salaries of the directors of that organization? My goodness and not even a single autistic person is in the board of directors. So we light the whole wide world "Blue" And people sends millions of donations...do they know that autistic people and their families only receive 3%?
Locally, it is the same. There are a few therapists involved behind the Light it Up Blue campaign here in Trinidad I saw the pamphlets and talk on TV and coincidentally, the ones behind it are people who have schools for autistic children. Again, all ends up being about the money and a marketing campaign and not about the families.
When was the last time Autism Speaks or any local organization in Trinidad asked a parent of an autistic child to talk or even an autistic person himself/herself?
Forget About Autism Awareness And Lighting Up Blue
In the case of autism, the exhortation of the day, courtesy of Autism Speaks, will be to "Light it up blue," and powers that be around the globe will cause world-famous landmarks to do just that. Because nothing says, "I really care about autistic people" like going to the trouble to install blue lights on tall buildings and then flipping them on for a few hours. Ref. Source 7d.
I think more and more people are discovering what Autism is and what it is like to have a autistic child. Life is totally different when raising a child with autism as you work with them to see that they grow up to be very productive members of society. Seeing my son half way through his Doctorate as a Chiropractor brings a smile to my face every time.