Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 My definition of Cure: My child is no longer in pain My child is no longer threatened with unexpected death from his physical ailments that tend to go along with autism (asthma, allergies, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, malnutrition due to dysfunctional gastointestinal tract, and more!) My child can function independently in society (note: this does not mean he has to lose his personality and become a drone) I do not think that there is such a thing as a right to exist in constant pain, threatened with imminant death, and unable to function independently. We teach NT kids how to behave appropriately in society, why would you not teach children with autism how to function appropriately?? I don't know why others are offended?? > > Hey everyone, I'm writing an essay for my college's publication about > cure vs. neurodiversity. What I would like to ask those of you > supporting a cure to consider answering a few questions for me that I > can use for my essay: > > What do you define as " curing " autism? > > Do you think " curing " autism takes away from your child's right to > exist as he/she has a right to exist? > > Why do you think some are so offended by the push to " cure " autism? > > You're welcome to email the responses if you prefer. Please also note > if you wish for me to cite your name or " anonymous. " > > TIA, > Debi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 > > Hey everyone, I'm writing an essay for my college's publication about > cure vs. neurodiversity. What I would like to ask those of you > supporting a cure to consider answering a few questions for me that I > can use for my essay: It's a silly question, when you think about it. To desire to be free from a disease is basic to the natural urge of life. To want a cure to autism is akin to wanting fresh air to breath. I am assuming here that autism is a serious disability, not merely a finger-tapping personality quirk. Let me illustrate by swapping " curing autism " with " breathing clean air " in your questions below to illustrate the silliness. > > What do you define as " curing " autism? What do you define as clean air to breath? > Do you think " curing " autism takes away from your child's right to > exist as he/she has a right to exist? Do you think breathing clean air takes away from your child's right to exist as he/she has a right to exist? > > Why do you think some are so offended by the push to " cure " autism? Why do you think some are so offended by the push for clean air to breath? (As to the last one in this analogy, keep in mind that millions of people still choose to smoke cigarettes.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 > > I don't know why others are offended?? > Part of coping with one's disability is to learn to accept oneself, love yourself for who you are no matter how different you are from " the typical " . This is a healthy adaptation. However this becomes difficult to do if you perceive that the world sees you with pity in need of fixing. Would you not feel resentful if the world discriminated against you because of a presumed genetic or inherited condition. . .like being born black or semitic? The big blind spot of the NDers is that they misjudge as evil and selfish the motives of those seeking cure for autism. To hate those who seek typical health is projected misanthropy. Lenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Lenny, I really agree with you, which is why I have a hard time understanding why they(NDr's) take such offense to healing. > > > > > I don't know why others are offended?? > > > > Part of coping with one's disability is to learn to accept oneself, > love yourself for who you are no matter how different you are from > " the typical " . This is a healthy adaptation. However this becomes > difficult to do if you perceive that the world sees you with pity in > need of fixing. Would you not feel resentful if the world > discriminated against you because of a presumed genetic or inherited > condition. . .like being born black or semitic? > > The big blind spot of the NDers is that they misjudge as evil and > selfish the motives of those seeking cure for autism. To hate those > who seek typical health is projected misanthropy. > > > Lenny > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Lenny, " projected misanthropy.... " you hit it on the head. I totally agree. ND's need a target for their misanthropic feelings that they developed over years of difficulty struggling with their disorder. To come to peace with the disorder and find comfort in one's gifts... and to maintain some self esteem, etc. is important. But those old feelings of isolation and exclusion rears its ugly head on this issue. I cannot have described their behavior any better than " projected misanthropy. " I hope my daughter, should she recover to the point where she can read and use a computer... won't blog hateful things against parents who wish the best for their children. Hopefully, as parents, we've done a good job showing her love and support... so she won't become so embittered as to promote ignorance and hate like the pseudonymous leaders of the ND movement. > > > > > > > > I don't know why others are offended?? > > > > > > > Part of coping with one's disability is to learn to accept oneself, > > love yourself for who you are no matter how different you are from > > " the typical " . This is a healthy adaptation. However this becomes > > difficult to do if you perceive that the world sees you with pity in > > need of fixing. Would you not feel resentful if the world > > discriminated against you because of a presumed genetic or inherited > > condition. . .like being born black or semitic? > > > > The big blind spot of the NDers is that they misjudge as evil and > > selfish the motives of those seeking cure for autism. To hate those > > who seek typical health is projected misanthropy. > > > > > > Lenny > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Debi, First of all, I don’t like the word “cure”, I like “recovered”. What bugs me about the ND is they think they are the ONLY people on the planet who feel different. It’s all or nothing- either you are on the spectrum OR you live a “normal” life. It’s not so black and white. But, of course THEY don’t get that- they have autism! I really hope one day soon the DSM IV is changed and nu-autism gets a new name. We’ve all talked about this before. Most of our children are sick/toxic/poisoned, etc. Recovered children are the proof. Most people on the spectrum are selfish- it’s part of the disorder. I don’t expect them to understand the concept that children are recovering. They see it as a personal attack on themselves. As for my son, autism does not define him. The daily challenge is to be the best person he can be at that moment. If that means chelating the metals out of him- so be it. If that means keeping the dairy out of his diet- so be it. If that means stimming off exits on the Long Island Expressway- then so be it. Also, - great post. - On 2/7/08 11:21 PM, " " <LAUC174@...> wrote: My definition of Cure: My child is no longer in pain My child is no longer threatened with unexpected death from his physical ailments that tend to go along with autism (asthma, allergies, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, malnutrition due to dysfunctional gastointestinal tract, and more!) My child can function independently in society (note: this does not mean he has to lose his personality and become a drone) I do not think that there is such a thing as a right to exist in constant pain, threatened with imminant death, and unable to function independently. We teach NT kids how to behave appropriately in society, why would you not teach children with autism how to function appropriately?? I don't know why others are offended?? > > Hey everyone, I'm writing an essay for my college's publication about > cure vs. neurodiversity. What I would like to ask those of you > supporting a cure to consider answering a few questions for me that I > can use for my essay: > > What do you define as " curing " autism? > > Do you think " curing " autism takes away from your child's right to > exist as he/she has a right to exist? > > Why do you think some are so offended by the push to " cure " autism? > > You're welcome to email the responses if you prefer. Please also note > if you wish for me to cite your name or " anonymous. " > > TIA, > Debi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 People discriminate against me all the time because I'm fat. I've een thin & fat through my adulthood, and I'm hear to tell ya I'm treated FAR different thin. Most glaring incident, flat tire. When I was thin within seconds on the interstate during rush hour a man in a suit stopped to help me change it, getting himself filthy. Counter that with being fat & having a flat tire in front of a restaurant where about a dozen young men were gathered, talking. Not a single one offered to help me. In fact, this is an argument I've had with some NDers in the past. People are always discriminated against, from how they pronounce words, look, act, dress, etc. It's just a fact of life. NDers say autism makes them who they are, I have said that being fat has made me who I am, through my experiences and feelings of those experiences. However, people with autism don't get it because it seems the NDers have difficulty with this abstract thought. I've stated women with breast cancer have been profoundly changed in the way they view life, but would many of them have preferred to have never experienced breast cancer? Probably. Would even those who cherish the experience hope for no cures so other women can experience it? I'd call any woman who does a sick, sick person. Still, in reading the responses on this board, others, and my emails, something seems very clear. The issue begins and ends with the cause. NDers are convinced they are a genetic abberation, those who support curing view autism as a physiological disorder. Until this issue is rectified, the ND & cure crowds will never get anywhere. And, even when this is rectified, and eventually it will, the larger philosophical issue of " fixing abnormal genes, " where or not spontaneously altered or definitive cause established, will need to be addressed. Is it wrong to correct genetic anomalies? I certainly don't think it's wrong, but others will argue the gene is sacred. The other issue I've argued, is that it's easy for a rather well- adjusted adult to argue they are happy who they are and do not need fixing, but on the front end we parents don't know how things will turn out. If someone told me if I never lifted a finger that Allie would grow into a well-adjusted, functional, quirky adult fully capable of pursuing her goals and dreams, that would be one thing. But the fact is none of us know. We are in fact most likely to have children who grow into adults unable to care for themselves, unable to function in the world enough to do the most basic shopping, working, and living without significant support because this is all- too-often the outcome. Yet again, another issue I've never seen those on the ND camp address. Thanks for all the input. Debi Debi Debi > > > > > I don't know why others are offended?? > > > > Part of coping with one's disability is to learn to accept oneself, > love yourself for who you are no matter how different you are from > " the typical " . This is a healthy adaptation. However this becomes > difficult to do if you perceive that the world sees you with pity in > need of fixing. Would you not feel resentful if the world > discriminated against you because of a presumed genetic or inherited > condition. . .like being born black or semitic? > > The big blind spot of the NDers is that they misjudge as evil and > selfish the motives of those seeking cure for autism. To hate those > who seek typical health is projected misanthropy. > > > Lenny > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Debbi get yourself a pair of red eye glasses (id you wear them..) it works for me...don't get ignored anymore!!! n Re: what is cure? People discriminate against me all the time because I'm fat. I've een thin & fat through my adulthood, and I'm hear to tell ya I'm treated FAR different thin. Most glaring incident, flat tire. When I was thin within seconds on the interstate during rush hour a man in a suit stopped to help me change it, getting himself filthy. Counter that with being fat & having a flat tire in front of a restaurant where about a dozen young men were gathered, talking. Not a single one offered to help me. In fact, this is an argument I've had with some NDers in the past. People are always discriminated against, from how they pronounce words, look, act, dress, etc. It's just a fact of life. NDers say autism makes them who they are, I have said that being fat has made me who I am, through my experiences and feelings of those experiences. However, people with autism don't get it because it seems the NDers have difficulty with this abstract thought. I've stated women with breast cancer have been profoundly changed in the way they view life, but would many of them have preferred to have never experienced breast cancer? Probably. Would even those who cherish the experience hope for no cures so other women can experience it? I'd call any woman who does a sick, sick person.Still, in reading the responses on this board, others, and my emails, something seems very clear. The issue begins and ends with the cause. NDers are convinced they are a genetic abberation, those who support curing view autism as a physiological disorder. Until this issue is rectified, the ND & cure crowds will never get anywhere. And, even when this is rectified, and eventually it will, the larger philosophical issue of "fixing abnormal genes," where or not spontaneously altered or definitive cause established, will need to be addressed. Is it wrong to correct genetic anomalies? I certainly don't think it's wrong, but others will argue the gene is sacred. The other issue I've argued, is that it's easy for a rather well-adjusted adult to argue they are happy who they are and do not need fixing, but on the front end we parents don't know how things will turn out. If someone told me if I never lifted a finger that Allie would grow into a well-adjusted, functional, quirky adult fully capable of pursuing her goals and dreams, that would be one thing. But the fact is none of us know. We are in fact most likely to have children who grow into adults unable to care for themselves, unable to function in the world enough to do the most basic shopping, working, and living without significant support because this is all-too-often the outcome. Yet again, another issue I've never seen those on the ND camp address.Thanks for all the input.DebiDebiDebi> > > > > I don't know why others are offended??> > > > Part of coping with one's disability is to learn to accept oneself,> love yourself for who you are no matter how different you are from> "the typical". This is a healthy adaptation. However this becomes> difficult to do if you perceive that the world sees you with pity in> need of fixing. Would you not feel resentful if the world> discriminated against you because of a presumed genetic or inherited> condition. . .like being born black or semitic?> > The big blind spot of the NDers is that they misjudge as evil and> selfish the motives of those seeking cure for autism. To hate those> who seek typical health is projected misanthropy. > > > Lenny> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 > > Lenny, > > I really agree with you, which is why I have a hard time > understanding why they(NDr's) take such offense to healing. > Perhaps they suffer an insufficient sense of empathy with parents of autistic children. It fits the asd dx -- an inability to " read " the place of love where we are coming from. Lenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 ROFL. I'm back on the downward spiral for the final time. Don't worry, I ain't been iggied for a long time. And, I'm a wierd woman who doesn't mind changing my own flat tires. Debi > > Debbi get yourself a pair of red eye glasses (id you wear them..) it works for me...don't get ignored anymore!!! n > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 You go girL! n Re: what is cure? ROFL. I'm back on the downward spiral for the final time. Don't worry, I ain't been iggied for a long time. And, I'm a wierd woman who doesn't mind changing my own flat tires.Debi>> Debbi get yourself a pair of red eye glasses (id you wear them..) it works for me...don't get ignored anymore!!! n> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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