A Tribute to Bernard Rimland

[Guest guest]

I feel that I need to share this story with all of you, especially

at this time.

When I began working at the school I am at now, I took the position

as a one on one with a severely autistic young lady who was 19, at

the time. She was also dx'd with bipolar disorder and had severe

aggression. She had actually disabled several staff members, one

teacher who was subsequently unable to have children. Two others

endured surgeries for injuries sustained earlier. I was trained

extensively in CPI, so I felt comfortable taking the job. When a

and I walked down the hall, I often felt the discomfort of other

staff members and students. Still, almost everyone loved her. She

really had little control over her outbursts. They were for the most

part, predictable, and I can honestly say that although there were

times when I harbored a healthy " fear " for my own safety (I used to

refer to it as a 'healthy respect') I was never injured. Part of my

affection for her was her age. She and my dd Deb (Noah's mom) had

birthdays that were 2 weeks apart. a's parents were both

Professionals, her mom being the Director of Spec Ed at a High

School. I absolutely love them and we always had a great

relationship.

a is 34 now. She has to wear a helmet at all times because she

has banged her head so often and so severely, that she could injure

herself to the point of death if left unprotected. Of course, she

has not lived at home since she was a young teenager, but her

parents live close by. Her mom is a Board Member, and their

involvement with her is continual.

I am telling you all of this for a reason. When I told a's mom

about my grandson's dx 18 months ago, her face dropped and her eyes

teared up. She hugged me with true sympathy. I told her that we were

starting Noah on a biomedical protocol that included chelation. She

looked at me curiously, but we couldn't talk anymore at that time.

I spoke with her again, several months ago. I told her how much

a meant to me, and just how much she had taught me. I told her

that I learned far more from her than I did from any text book or

other life experience. She was actually my mentor. She then asked

how Noah was doing. I told her that he moves closer to recovery

every day. I gave her a brief synopsis of the DAN! protocol and told

her how we are healing him from the inside out. In turn, he is able

to learn through the educational process and the therapy that he is

receiving.

She then told me how hard it was to have her daughter live outside

of their home. However, before they placed her in the residence,

they had sent her to a Treatment Center out of State. She said that

there was a Doctor who was treating her with an alternative approach

that involved more natural therapies. I became curious and asked her

some questions. I asked her if they had seen an improvement in

a's health and behavior. She said " Yes, we did, and we were

actually quite encouraged. " She paused and went on to say that the

opening came up at the residence, and they were forced to make the

decision. They really had no choice, as it could be another year or

more before another opening came up. When they enrolled her, they

brought all of her supplements with them. However, the " Powers that

Be " refused to continue this protocol. They were told that this is

just another form of quackery, and that they " would not be doing any

that. " These parents had already gone through so much mental and

physical anguish. There were NO support groups, NO internet groups

and no other sources for biomedical treatment in the area. So, these

wonderful, caring parents had no choice but to allow the

Phsychiatrist, Phsychologist, Therapists and Nursing Staff to take

over her care. Of course, that meant phychotropic medications on a

trial and error basis. That's what they did back then.

Before I left, I asked her if she remembered who the Doctor was who

was treating a. She said, " Yes, I do...... It was Dr. Bernarnd

Rimland. "

....and I left there in tears. I cried for what could have been.

I join in the Autism Community in extending my deepest sympathy to

the Rimland family. And Dr. Rimland himself will always be in my

thoughts and prayers.

-Trish