More and more Autistic people keep complaining about how organizations describe Autism as “a disaster” or an epidemic.  Well one parent decided to write an email to one of these organizations - and she got a horrific response which you can read. (CONTAINS STRONG LANAGUAGE)

The Orriginal Email: (March 28th)

To: jonathan.howard@runthedream.ca,
Subject: You run & reasons
Cc:bill.robertson@runthedream.ca,alex.bittner@runthedream.ca,alison.pickard@runthedream.ca,
becky.doyle@runthedream.ca,bryan.howard@runthedream.ca,carly.murdock@runthedream.ca,
kevin.cassan@runthedream.ca,kevin.fraser@runthedream.ca,lauren.canzius@runthedream.ca,
mike.mccarther@runthedream.ca,scott.rogers@runthedream.ca,warren.howard@runthedream.ca

Sir,

Words like these - “spared the burden of dealing with Autism”, “ultimately preventing it or finding a cure.” are incredibly offensive to autistics and parents such as myself.

My (autistic) son ran across Prince Edward Island in 2006 and runs almost every weekend in a roadrace FOR autism, not *against* it as you are doing. For all of our involvement in running and autism advocacy we will not be supporting you run and will be educating PE Islanders about why we find your attitude so offensive.

What, exactly, do you have against people like myself and my 2 sons that you want to prevent people like us from existing?

What, exactly, do you plan to do with any money you raise?

-jypsy (janet norman-bain)

 The First Responce From Run The Dream: May 9th

On May 9th, I received an invitation, via the PEI Autism Society, from Mr. Mike McCarther, Production Manager - Run the Dream Atlantic, stating he’d be “ecstatic” if we’d join them Wednesday, May 14th in Charlottetown. Mr. McCarther also invited me to “feel free to contact me to RSVP, or with any questions or concerns that you may have.”

To which Janet Replied:

 Mr. McCarther,

Please consider our concerns as expressed below and at http://therunman.blogspot.com/2008/04/running-for-autism-not-against-it-why.html

Thank You

-janet norman-bain & Alex Bain

And Run The Dream’s Responce?

From: “Mike McCarther”

Haha oh sh*t…

So now you can see what these organizations that supposedly support Autism really think about what Autism people need.  You can read more about this at RunMan’s blog