I see that once again, neurodiversity spokesman, Ari Ne'eman is
shooting his mouth off yet again yet again, claiming that the "autistic community" takes offense at eradicating autism. I have to wonder, yet again, does the "autistic community" include me? Does it include Jake Crosby, Stephanie Keil, Oliver Canby, JediKnight, Tom McKean, Sue Rubin and numerous others on the spectrum who have expressed desire for a cure? How about Connor Doherty who may not be in a position to speak for himself. What about Sean Lapin, Dov Shestack, John Belmonte and many other autistic persons who have limited to nonexistent speech who are incapable of rebutting Ne'eman's nonsense and asking him to butt out and speak for himself and and not for other autistics.
Ne'eman also stated in this diatribe at Harvard that autism should be looked upon as a disability and not a disease, yet neglects to explain the difference between a disability and a disease.
As has been meticulously documented in numerous posts on autism's gadfly, Ne'eman has repeatedly stated that he does not believe that autism is a disability in spite of claiming he never said anything to that effect. We have to wonder why he is now backpedaling and now stating autism should be looked upon as a disability. Could there be political reasons?
Ari Ne'eman and ASAN, I resent you trying to speak for all autistic persons. Almost all of us, myself included, are lower functioning (or more impaired for those who express distaste at the low functioning high functioning dichotomy) than you are. There are others who can't speak and say that they would like autism eradicated. There are others, besides me, who have expressed a desire for a cure. Their numbers seem to be ever growing.
Remember, Ari, nothing about us without us.
Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteI will be confronting ASAN in Washington D.C. on November 6th. Unlike last time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I6gmC9EHL0
I'll be there as an advocate journalist and asking some hard questions of the protestors.
I doubt Ari will be there after posting this on your blog. He's a bit afraid of me and he does read your blog for material to incorporate.
If you or anyone else would like me to ask a certain question to ASAN's high functioning Aspies, you can email me at kent99@me.com with your question.
Living as an autistic person is like living in a trailor park home. I could easily have as much fun in that type of home setting as much as I have fun now.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jedi. I'd probably be relieved living in a trailer compared to the mess I live in now.
ReplyDeleteIt's so disappointing that Ne'eman has made a mess of a conference, which likely could have sustained some productive discussion if he hadn't practically screamed genocide again. Due to his increasing fame, it's getting too easy for him to get involved in things like these as a sought "autistic self-advocate".