comments about autism on cbs

[Guest guest]

THIS WAS SENT BY A MEMBER OF LDANJ WHOSE SON HAS AUTISM - I COULDN'T CHECK

ON SNOPES, BECAUSE IT IS TOO RECENT -

BUT DID CHECK WITH DAILY NEWS WRITER- TERRY CAVANAUGH, LDANJ

Subject: Fwd: Nasty comments about autism on CBS

Thought I would pass this along. I have called several Autism groups in NJ

as well as CBS. I think that we should definitely pass this along to as many

parents & educators in the field, and people who care. I told CBS not only

should they offer a huge apology, they should put their money where their

mouth is and make a large donation to either Autism research or a charity.

There have been so many great people who have brought Autism into the public

awareness in the past over 10 years since was diagnosed. CBS with

their ignorance just brought us back to 20 years ago. If this person

" truly " worked with autisitic individuals he would realize that they are in

fact extremely smart.

Sherri De Carlo

We need to do something about this......Boy cot " Big Brother " , Write Letters

and Call CBS demanding a public apology.

Autism group demands apology from CBS for offensive remark

BY LISA LUCAS in Miami and JORDAN LITE in New York

DAILY NEWS WRITERS

Tuesday, February 19th 2008, 1:23 AM

Adam from 'Big Brother'

An advocacy group demanded that CBS cancel its " Big Brother " reality show

Monday after a cast member who claims to work with autistic children

referred to them as " retards. "

The network refused to do so - and did not apologize.

" I want to open a hair salon for kids with special needs so the retards can

get it together and get their hair done, " Adam Jasinski, 29, tells his

housemates in an episode that aired last Wednesday.

" Disabled kids - I can call them whatever I want, okay? I work with them all

day, " he said when criticized by a housemate.

" I'm not saying anything offensive. ... I bust my ass to help these

special-need children! "

Gilmore, executive director of Hicksville, L.I.-based Autism United,

compared Jasinski's remarks to those made about African-American women last

year by radio host Don Imus, whose program was canceled.

" The statements are in every way as offensive and repulsive, " he said

outside of CBS headquarters in midtown.

CBS distanced itself from the remarks, but said it had no plans to pull the

plug on the show.

" At times, the houseguests reveal prejudices and other beliefs that we do

not condone, " the network said in a statement.

" We certainly find the statements made by Adam to be offensive, but believe

they were countered by the immediate reaction of shock and condemnation from

fellow houseguest Sheila. "

The statement continued that it would not have aired Jasinski's " retards "

remark if it had not been criticized by the others.

Jasinki runs what is called the United Autism Foundation, a nonprofit

incorporated in Florida last June. It does not show up in searches of the

Better Business Bureau or databases of charities that file with the IRS.

Web sites for the foundation provide little information about autism but

show plenty of pics of Jasinski mugging for the camera.

A network spokesman said Jasinski was sequestered during filming in Los

Angeles and unavailable for comment.

Jasinski did not respond to an e-mail or calls to him and his family at a

New Jersey businesscalled " Girls Who Kiss Girls, " an apparel company.

In his bio on the CBS Web site, Jasinski brags about being " a good person "

and a mama's boy. He says he likes " aggressive women " and " considers himself

to be quite the Casanova. "

jlite@...