Re: Frist speech on autism 3/2

[Guest guest]

I know every child is different, but I have to make these comments about my son

on 3/3/06 10:15 AM, andrea52521991 at mkeller@... wrote:

FRIST STATEMENT ON AUTISM AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT OF 2000

Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

March 2nd, 2006 - Each year, roughly 24,000 children in the United

States are born with an autism spectrum disorder.

The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Autistic infants often

display abnormal reactions to sensory stimuli. Touches may be

experienced as painful. Smells may be overwhelmingly unpleasant. Loud

noises and bright lights may cause inconsolable weeping.

My son loves to be touched, smells never bother him, bright lights never bother him, most noises don't bother him and he rarely cried as a baby.

As the child grows older, they avoid cuddling or touching even close

family members preferring, instead, to play alone. By adolescence,

the symptoms can become unbearably acute. Often the parents are

bewildered and devastated by their child's lack of interest in them.

They experience their child's behavior as deeply painful rejection.

Again, son loves to be touched. Playing along- ok that happens. But it didn't really devastate me.

More common than childhood cancer, autism can tear apart even the

strongest, most loving families.

oh poor us- we are such victims

As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a legislator,

I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our health

system.

THIS AND THE REST IS TOTAL BULLSHIT

why does he make this about the parents? because they complain to him and the non-verbal children don't?

[Guest guest]

The first line in his speech is so interesting. He makes it a

point to say that the children are " born with an autism spectrum

disorder " . Do you think that this was planned or just thrown in

there and should not be read into? For example, he easily could

have said x amount of children are diagnosed with... or whatever.

But he clearly indicates " born with " . Did he miss the study where

they had videotapes of some children who would later be diagnosed

with autism and some nt children and the researchers couldn't tell

them apart?

- Sue M.

>

> FRIST STATEMENT ON AUTISM AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT OF 2000

> Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

>

>

> March 2nd, 2006 - Each year, roughly 24,000 children in the United

> States are born with an autism spectrum disorder.

>

> The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Autistic infants often

> display abnormal reactions to sensory stimuli. Touches may be

> experienced as painful. Smells may be overwhelmingly unpleasant.

Loud

> noises and bright lights may cause inconsolable weeping.

>

> As the child grows older, they avoid cuddling or touching even

close

> family members preferring, instead, to play alone. By adolescence,

> the symptoms can become unbearably acute. Often the parents are

> bewildered and devastated by their child's lack of interest in

them.

> They experience their child's behavior as deeply painful

rejection.

>

> More common than childhood cancer, autism can tear apart even the

> strongest, most loving families.

>

> As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a legislator,

> I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our

health

> system.

>

> That is why I authored the landmark Children's Health Act of 2000.

> This legislation directed the National Institutes of Health: to

> expand, intensify, and coordinate research into this complex and

> tragic disorder.

>

> Under the Children's Health Act, NIH established the Interagency

> Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all autism-related

> activities at the Health and Human Services agency. The Committee

> represents a broad range of interests including parents, doctors

and

> researchers engaged with this disease.

>

> The NIH also created 8 Centers of Excellence in Autism Research

> across the country to conduct basic clinical research into the

cause,

> diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment of

> autism. In 2001, NIH spent $56 million on autism related research.

In

> 2004, that number went up to $100 million.

>

> Unfortunately, we still don't know what causes autism. But we do

know

> we must find a cure.

>

> I look forward to reauthorizing the autism provisions of the

> Children's Health Act.

>

> Children are our nation's most precious resource.

>

> We must continue to push for a sustained investment and commitment

to

> curing this heartbreaking disorder.

>

> « Previous Speech | Next Speech »

>

[Guest guest]

> As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a legislator,

> I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our health

> system.

>

> That is why I authored the landmark Children's Health Act of 2000.

> This legislation directed the National Institutes of Health: to

> expand, intensify, and coordinate research into this complex and

> tragic disorder.

And snuck protection for the pharmas into unrelated bills in the dead

of night.

[Guest guest]

, I agree absolutely. This is nonsense. Frist has collected

and regurgitated all the old steretypes about the disorder labeled

" autism. " Whatever disorder he is describing, most of our kids don't

have it or the variations make his simplistic descriptions offensive.

Speaking for myself, but I am sure others have the same experience, my

son is extremely related to and interested in his parents and his

sister. He cannot speak, but he can communicate. He has not torn our

family apart but (aside from great stress and worry) pulled us together

as a family. Perhaps biomedical intervention has helped that. But

Frist's generalizations, perhaps garnered from a small number of

parents who have had access to him, are way off and unhelpful.

If Sen. Frist becomes our champion, then we are lost. I suggest that as

many of us as possible make arrangements to visit our Senators - in

D.C. or in home offices and get the true story to them - use Frist's

speech as a foil to show that he does not understand what we, as

parents, are experiencing. The rally in April is one opportunity but

there will be others.

On Mar 3, 2006, at 10:25 AM, christine@... wrote:

> I know every child is different, but I have to make these comments

> about my son

>

> on 3/3/06 10:15 AM, andrea52521991 at mkeller@... wrote:

>

>> FRIST STATEMENT ON AUTISM AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT OF 2000

>> Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

>>  

>> March 2nd, 2006 - Each year, roughly 24,000 children in the United

>> States are born with an autism spectrum disorder.

>>

>> The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Autistic infants often

>> display abnormal reactions to sensory stimuli. Touches may be

>> experienced as painful. Smells may be overwhelmingly unpleasant. Loud

>> noises and bright lights may cause inconsolable weeping.

>>

>> My son loves to be touched, smells never bother him, bright lights

>> never bother him, most noises don't bother him and he rarely cried as

>> a baby.

>>

>> As the child grows older, they avoid cuddling or touching even close

>> family members preferring, instead, to play alone. By adolescence,

>> the symptoms can become unbearably acute. Often the parents are

>> bewildered and devastated by their child's lack of interest in them.

>> They experience their child's behavior as deeply painful rejection.

>>

>> Again, son loves to be touched.  Playing along- ok that happens.  But

>> it didn't really devastate me.

>>

>> More common than childhood cancer, autism can tear apart even the

>> strongest, most loving families.

>>

>> oh poor us- we are such victims

>>

>> As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a legislator,

>> I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our health

>> system.

>>

>> THIS AND THE REST IS TOTAL BULLSHIT

>>

>>

>> why does he make this about the parents?  because they complain to

>> him and the non-verbal children don't?

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I believe it is absolutely deliberate when Sen. Frist and others make a

statement like children are " born with an autism spectrum disorder. " He

has said it before, going back several years. But whether deliberate

or not, we need to correct his presumptuousness. Medical degree or not

he has absolutely no idea what he is talking about.

The U Wash regression study would be an excellent item - it is peer

reviewed and well researched -- to give to Dr/Sen. Frist to begin his

reeducation.

On Mar 3, 2006, at 10:44 AM, celiacdaughter wrote:

>   The first line in his speech is so interesting.  He makes it a

> point to say that the children are " born with an autism spectrum

> disorder " .  Do you think that this was planned or just thrown in

> there and should not be read into?  For example, he easily could

> have said x amount of children are diagnosed with... or whatever. 

> But he clearly indicates " born with " .  Did he miss the study where

> they had videotapes of some children who would later be diagnosed

> with autism and some nt children and the researchers couldn't tell

> them apart? 

>

> - Sue M.  

>

>

> >

> > FRIST STATEMENT ON AUTISM AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT OF 2000

> > Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

> >  

> > 

> > March 2nd, 2006 - Each year, roughly 24,000 children in the United

> > States are born with an autism spectrum disorder.

> >

> > The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Autistic infants often

> > display abnormal reactions to sensory stimuli. Touches may be

> > experienced as painful. Smells may be overwhelmingly unpleasant.

> Loud

> > noises and bright lights may cause inconsolable weeping.

> >

> > As the child grows older, they avoid cuddling or touching even

> close

> > family members preferring, instead, to play alone. By adolescence,

> > the symptoms can become unbearably acute. Often the parents are

> > bewildered and devastated by their child's lack of interest in

> them.

> > They experience their child's behavior as deeply painful

> rejection.

> >

> > More common than childhood cancer, autism can tear apart even the

> > strongest, most loving families.

> >

> > As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a legislator,

> > I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our

> health

> > system.

> >

> > That is why I authored the landmark Children's Health Act of 2000.

> > This legislation directed the National Institutes of Health: to

> > expand, intensify, and coordinate research into this complex and

> > tragic disorder.

> >

> > Under the Children's Health Act, NIH established the Interagency

> > Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all autism-related

> > activities at the Health and Human Services agency. The Committee

> > represents a broad range of interests including parents, doctors

> and

> > researchers engaged with this disease.

> >

> > The NIH also created 8 Centers of Excellence in Autism Research

> > across the country to conduct basic clinical research into the

> cause,

> > diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment of

> > autism. In 2001, NIH spent $56 million on autism related research.

> In

> > 2004, that number went up to $100 million.

> >

> > Unfortunately, we still don't know what causes autism. But we do

> know

> > we must find a cure.

> >

> > I look forward to reauthorizing the autism provisions of the

> > Children's Health Act.

> >

> > Children are our nation's most precious resource.

> >

> > We must continue to push for a sustained investment and commitment

> to

> > curing this heartbreaking disorder.

> > 

> > « Previous Speech | Next Speech »

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I'm a cynic, I believe he absolutely knows what is going on. He may

not understand the day to day issues but he sees the big picture.

When I read his speech, I see some very carefully choosen words.

Hewants to perpetuate the stereotypes of autism.

He truly wants no forward progress on this issue. He's terrified as

to what will be discovered with the right studies looking at the

right environmental issues.

His involvement (support) can only mean one thing. Sabotage. Guide

research away from vaccines and guide it in other directions.

I hope I'm wrong.

> > >

> > > FRIST STATEMENT ON AUTISM AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT OF 2000

> > > Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

> > >  

> > > 

> > > March 2nd, 2006 - Each year, roughly 24,000 children in the

United

> > > States are born with an autism spectrum disorder.

> > >

> > > The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Autistic infants

often

> > > display abnormal reactions to sensory stimuli. Touches may be

> > > experienced as painful. Smells may be overwhelmingly

unpleasant.

> > Loud

> > > noises and bright lights may cause inconsolable weeping.

> > >

> > > As the child grows older, they avoid cuddling or touching even

> > close

> > > family members preferring, instead, to play alone. By

adolescence,

> > > the symptoms can become unbearably acute. Often the parents are

> > > bewildered and devastated by their child's lack of interest in

> > them.

> > > They experience their child's behavior as deeply painful

> > rejection.

> > >

> > > More common than childhood cancer, autism can tear apart even

the

> > > strongest, most loving families.

> > >

> > > As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a

legislator,

> > > I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our

> > health

> > > system.

> > >

> > > That is why I authored the landmark Children's Health Act of

2000.

> > > This legislation directed the National Institutes of Health: to

> > > expand, intensify, and coordinate research into this complex

and

> > > tragic disorder.

> > >

> > > Under the Children's Health Act, NIH established the

Interagency

> > > Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all autism-related

> > > activities at the Health and Human Services agency. The

Committee

> > > represents a broad range of interests including parents,

doctors

> > and

> > > researchers engaged with this disease.

> > >

> > > The NIH also created 8 Centers of Excellence in Autism Research

> > > across the country to conduct basic clinical research into the

> > cause,

> > > diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment

of

> > > autism. In 2001, NIH spent $56 million on autism related

research.

> > In

> > > 2004, that number went up to $100 million.

> > >

> > > Unfortunately, we still don't know what causes autism. But we

do

> > know

> > > we must find a cure.

> > >

> > > I look forward to reauthorizing the autism provisions of the

> > > Children's Health Act.

> > >

> > > Children are our nation's most precious resource.

> > >

> > > We must continue to push for a sustained investment and

commitment

> > to

> > > curing this heartbreaking disorder.

> > > 

> > > « Previous Speech | Next Speech »

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I could not agree with you more - it is deliberate - but Sen. Frist's

control of the agenda is weakening. Your points help us understand how

we should approach Sen. Frist and others who would appear to support

us. We need to control the message, and not allow Sen. Frist to

perpetuate stereotypes about our children.

On Mar 3, 2006, at 11:31 AM, andrea52521991 wrote:

> ,

>

> I'm a cynic, I believe he absolutely knows what is going on. He may

> not understand the day to day issues but he sees the big picture.

> When I read his speech, I see some very carefully choosen words.

> Hewants to perpetuate the stereotypes of autism.

>

> He truly wants no forward progress on this issue. He's terrified as

> to what will be discovered with the right studies looking at the

> right environmental issues.

>

> His involvement (support) can only mean one thing. Sabotage. Guide

> research away from vaccines and guide it in other directions.

>

> I hope I'm wrong.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> > >  >

> > >  > FRIST STATEMENT ON AUTISM AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT OF 2000

> > >  > Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

> > >  >  

> > >  > 

> > >  > March 2nd, 2006 - Each year, roughly 24,000 children in the

> United

> > >  > States are born with an autism spectrum disorder.

> > >  >

> > >  > The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Autistic infants

> often

> > >  > display abnormal reactions to sensory stimuli. Touches may be

> > >  > experienced as painful. Smells may be overwhelmingly

> unpleasant.

> > >  Loud

> > >  > noises and bright lights may cause inconsolable weeping.

> > >  >

> > >  > As the child grows older, they avoid cuddling or touching even

> > >  close

> > >  > family members preferring, instead, to play alone. By

> adolescence,

> > >  > the symptoms can become unbearably acute. Often the parents are

> > >  > bewildered and devastated by their child's lack of interest in

> > >  them.

> > >  > They experience their child's behavior as deeply painful

> > >  rejection.

> > >  >

> > >  > More common than childhood cancer, autism can tear apart even

> the

> > >  > strongest, most loving families.

> > >  >

> > >  > As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a

> legislator,

> > >  > I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our

> > >  health

> > >  > system.

> > >  >

> > >  > That is why I authored the landmark Children's Health Act of

> 2000.

> > >  > This legislation directed the National Institutes of Health: to

> > >  > expand, intensify, and coordinate research into this complex

> and

> > >  > tragic disorder.

> > >  >

> > >  > Under the Children's Health Act, NIH established the

> Interagency

> > >  > Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all autism-related

> > >  > activities at the Health and Human Services agency. The

> Committee

> > >  > represents a broad range of interests including parents,

> doctors

> > >  and

> > >  > researchers engaged with this disease.

> > >  >

> > >  > The NIH also created 8 Centers of Excellence in Autism Research

> > >  > across the country to conduct basic clinical research into the

> > >  cause,

> > >  > diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment

> of

> > >  > autism. In 2001, NIH spent $56 million on autism related

> research.

> > >  In

> > >  > 2004, that number went up to $100 million.

> > >  >

> > >  > Unfortunately, we still don't know what causes autism. But we

> do

> > >  know

> > >  > we must find a cure.

> > >  >

> > >  > I look forward to reauthorizing the autism provisions of the

> > >  > Children's Health Act.

> > >  >

> > >  > Children are our nation's most precious resource.

> > >  >

> > >  > We must continue to push for a sustained investment and

> commitment

> > >  to

> > >  > curing this heartbreaking disorder.

> > >  > 

> > >  > « Previous Speech | Next Speech »

> > >  >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Given Senator Frist sudden support for the autism community it would be nice

if a large group of parents from Tennessee would organize and schedule an

appointment with his office, either in DC or in the state.

If he is so wants to find answers to the autism epidemic

he should support hearings into what is we know and

don't know. That's what they have been doing with the

bird flu and we don't know anyone that has the bird flu.

Re: Re: Frist speech on autism 3/2

I could not agree with you more - it is deliberate - but Sen. Frist's

control of the agenda is weakening. Your points help us understand how

we should approach Sen. Frist and others who would appear to support

us. We need to control the message, and not allow Sen. Frist to

perpetuate stereotypes about our children.

On Mar 3, 2006, at 11:31 AM, andrea52521991 wrote:

> ,

>

> I'm a cynic, I believe he absolutely knows what is going on. He may

> not understand the day to day issues but he sees the big picture.

> When I read his speech, I see some very carefully choosen words.

> Hewants to perpetuate the stereotypes of autism.

>

> He truly wants no forward progress on this issue. He's terrified as

> to what will be discovered with the right studies looking at the

> right environmental issues.

>

> His involvement (support) can only mean one thing. Sabotage. Guide

> research away from vaccines and guide it in other directions.

>

> I hope I'm wrong.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > FRIST STATEMENT ON AUTISM AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT OF 2000

> > > > Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

> > > >Â Â

> > > >Â

> > > > March 2nd, 2006 - Each year, roughly 24,000 children in the

> United

> > > > States are born with an autism spectrum disorder.

> > > >

> > > > The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Autistic infants

> often

> > > > display abnormal reactions to sensory stimuli. Touches may be

> > > > experienced as painful. Smells may be overwhelmingly

> unpleasant.

> > > Loud

> > > > noises and bright lights may cause inconsolable weeping.

> > > >

> > > > As the child grows older, they avoid cuddling or touching even

> > > close

> > > > family members preferring, instead, to play alone. By

> adolescence,

> > > > the symptoms can become unbearably acute. Often the parents are

> > > > bewildered and devastated by their child's lack of interest in

> > > them.

> > > > They experience their child's behavior as deeply painful

> > > rejection.

> > > >

> > > > More common than childhood cancer, autism can tear apart even

> the

> > > > strongest, most loving families.

> > > >

> > > > As a doctor, I've devoted my life to healing. And as a

> legislator,

> > > > I've had the unique opportunity to push the frontiers of our

> > > health

> > > > system.

> > > >

> > > > That is why I authored the landmark Children's Health Act of

> 2000.

> > > > This legislation directed the National Institutes of Health: to

> > > > expand, intensify, and coordinate research into this complex

> and

> > > > tragic disorder.

> > > >

> > > > Under the Children's Health Act, NIH established the

> Interagency

> > > > Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all autism-related

> > > > activities at the Health and Human Services agency. The

> Committee

> > > > represents a broad range of interests including parents,

> doctors

> > > and

> > > > researchers engaged with this disease.

> > > >

> > > > The NIH also created 8 Centers of Excellence in Autism Research

> > > > across the country to conduct basic clinical research into the

> > > cause,

> > > > diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment

> of

> > > > autism. In 2001, NIH spent $56 million on autism related

> research.

> > > In

> > > > 2004, that number went up to $100 million.

> > > >

> > > > Unfortunately, we still don't know what causes autism. But we

> do

> > > know

> > > > we must find a cure.

> > > >

> > > > I look forward to reauthorizing the autism provisions of the

> > > > Children's Health Act.

> > > >

> > > > Children are our nation's most precious resource.

> > > >

> > > > We must continue to push for a sustained investment and

> commitment

> > > to

> > > > curing this heartbreaking disorder.

> > > >Â

> > > > « Previous Speech | Next Speech »

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

That's just it, WE HAVE visited his office. The aid we met with in the

Knoxville office even said a family at her church have a child who got

autism from vaccines, she remembers him because he was born the same

time as her grandson and suddenly regressed. We Tennesseans are

working as hard as we can, but we need help on a national level. In

most of the coverage about vaccine legislation TN's efforts get left

out. We are a handful of parents fighting against a senate majority

leader.

I was on the radio for 2.5 hrs on Monday discussing Frist's role and

stated that as a republican I would actively fight againt Frist should

he run for President. We can't come out any stronger than this. I've

had mysterious phone calls from people saying they were with Frist's

staff but then caller ID link them to lawyers in the area. ROFL! I

have asked for personal calls to be returned, I've asked for written

response, I get nothing.

Debi

>

> Given Senator Frist sudden support for the autism community it would

be nice

> if a large group of parents from Tennessee would organize and

schedule an

> appointment with his office, either in DC or in the state.

>

> If he is so wants to find answers to the autism epidemic

> he should support hearings into what is we know and

> don't know. That's what they have been doing with the

> bird flu and we don't know anyone that has the bird flu.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Debi. You prove the point that Dr/Sen Frist knows better or

should know better about the " born with autism " issue. It is extremely

important that you continue your efforts in Tennessee so that Sen.

Frist can never say that this is all he heard from parents.

Constituents have power, especially Republican constituents.

On Mar 3, 2006, at 12:04 PM, Debi wrote:

> That's just it, WE HAVE visited his office. The aid we met with in the

> Knoxville office even said a family at her church have a child who got

> autism from vaccines, she remembers him because he was born the same

> time as her grandson and suddenly regressed. We Tennesseans are

> working as hard as we can, but we need help on a national level. In

> most of the coverage about vaccine legislation TN's efforts get left

> out. We are a handful of parents fighting against a senate majority

> leader.

>

> I was on the radio for 2.5 hrs on Monday discussing Frist's role and

> stated that as a republican I would actively fight againt Frist should

> he run for President. We can't come out any stronger than this. I've

> had mysterious phone calls from people saying they were with Frist's

> staff but then caller ID link them to lawyers in the area. ROFL! I

> have asked for personal calls to be returned, I've asked for written

> response, I get nothing.

>

> Debi

>

>

> >

> > Given Senator Frist sudden support for the autism community it would

> be nice

> > if a large group of parents from Tennessee would organize and

> schedule an

> > appointment with his office, either in DC or in the state.

> >

> > If he is so wants to find answers to the autism epidemic

> > he should support hearings into what is we know and

> > don't know. That's what they have been doing with the

> > bird flu and we don't know anyone that has the bird flu.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>