To further the E-mail Oprah campaign, and idea.....

[Guest guest]

It seems there was alot of participation across all lists in the E-mail

Oprah campaign, and some posted to maybe E-mail other talk show hosts.....

So, I have an idea that I would be willing to help organize.

Alot of people have different addresses to talk show hosts, newspaper

columnists, and so on. Maybe post to me privately any name and address of

that sort, and I will type them up, and E-mail the master list - to the

lists for everyone to just change the Dear Oprah part of their letters, to

dear whoever. Dear Abby, Dear Drew Barry, Dear Sally Jessie, Dear 60

minutes, Dear Dateline,........ whoever.........

Even magazines, like Time Life - they do human interest cover stories -

can't imagine Autism being the 3rd most prevalent disorder in children, not

being cover worthy. Surely if we all unite our efforts, they will all get

the hint that this is worth looking into. Since we all have the letters

typed anyway, we can just print out multiple copies and mail away......

Anyway, if you want, E-mail me whatever name and address and I will compile

them and post it to the lists for all who want to do that.

I have Ann Landers address and Time Life Magazine address.

Post privately!

Guppy

tguppy@...

Below is another version of my Oprah letter where I attempted to be more

factual, and give her possibly names of people to invite on the show in

support of Autism.......

It needs work, but this is a rough draft to maybe encourage everyone to be

sure and send facts especially to the newspapers........

Dear Oprah,

Hello, I am Guppy - the mother of a child with Autism. I can

provide you with many published articles stating the epidemic numbers of

Autism in this country. We have reached the end of one century, and are

beginning a new century - beginning it with one of the most misunderstood,

underfunded, devastating, disorders affecting our children. Autism is the

3rd most prevalent disorder in children. There are more than 500,000

children with autism - those counted and correctly diagnosed (not to mention

how many more out there not counted or diagnosed) and these children receive

only $10.00 per child in research into the causes! We are losing an entire

generation of children with the diagnosis of Autism - and the Nation is

simply not aware of it. Russo testified to that fact before Congress,

as did . Please call me so I can discuss with you factual

articles and statistics so that one of the next shows you produce can

educate the Nation on the need to increase funding to help children with

autism. Most of whom are non-verbal and will need a lifetime of assistance

that will cost the government nearly $2million per child. We simply must

change the face of Autism! We, a group of mere parents with children who

have autism, are organizing a rally for National Autism Awareness in

Washington, D.C., in April to " Open Your Eyes to Autism " (meaning the

governments eyes) so that we can get increased funding for help and critical

legislation supported! This is an epidemic, with each state reporting

higher and higher numbers of children with Autism! We simply must raise the

awareness. Please help us in this task! The children with Autism now,

will no doubt remain that way until their death. With funding and research

the way it is now, my child will never see the cure and I may never know the

cause of his Autism! We are working to raise the awareness so that no other

generation of children has to live with Autism. We want there to be a

cause, accessible treatments, and dare we hope a cure by then!!

To gain a better understanding of the scope of Autism, please read the book

" Confronting Autism " and listen to the CD " Stand Up! Speak Out! Let your

voice be heard - it's going to take each one of us to change our children's

world. " The CD cover highlights the various people committed to helping

the cause - Unlocking Autism with their " Open Your Eyes to Autism " picture

display project, and LeGendre who is stitching together from fabric

squares sent in from parents across the world, the first ever Autism

Awareness Quilt. Bernard Rimland, the father of Autism - who has been the

paramount voice for parents in their need for information and help. The CD

jacket tells a little bit about the inspiration behind the CD project -

Beck who has been a tremendous voice for Autism and inspiration to

all affected by Autism. Her book " Confronting Autism " gives parents hope

and a plan of action to help their children.

Please come follow my child for a day and see what I mean......these

children are troopers that need to be helped! While most children are

playing dress up and make believe, cowboys and indians, or coloring.... my

child at age 2 was in a strict school all day, therapy all evening, with no

weekends off...

Please help raise the awareness with a show on Autism!

Come meet the epidemic, face to face! My will touch your heart

forever......

Guppy

Cypress, TX