Friday, July 13, 2012

Obama and Romney Need to Adopt Autism Platform

The Autism Society of America has met with Mitt Romney's campaign and will be meeting with President Obama's regarding a platform of policy ideas to be supported by both campaigns.  A campaign's ability to adopt these idea in total will personally be my deciding factor for my vote.  I encourage other families of children with autism to insist to both campaigns that support our children, our community of self advocates, and our families living with autism.  I would also encourage anyone running for national public office (I'm looking at you, Congress) to adopt this platform as well to affect meaningful change for people like my son.


From their website:


The Autism Society encourages each presidential candidate to support the following ideals:

1.  A person living with autism or another developmental disability must be assured the protected right to quality education, employment, housing and services. This right must be recognized by federal and state governments. 


2. Medicaid funding must not be cut, as it is the primary financial support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Reducing Medicaid funding will drastically hurt those individuals whose lives depend on Medicaid’s health insurance provision and community support funding. 


3. A person currently receiving Medicaid for community services should be able to continue to receive that support when he moves to another state. No individual should be denied the right to move to another state due to a job or support need.  


4. States should be allowed greater flexibility to use federal funding for outcome-based care and must be required to show measurable progress. The Autism Society defines progress as advancement toward self-sufficiency, independence and autonomy. 


5. Autism must be treated as a whole body condition. Health insurance companies must provide coverage for other services in addition to medical treatments, such as behavioral therapies, which are often very expensive but can have very positive outcomes for individuals on the spectrum. 


6. Individuals and families living with autism or another developmental disability should be provided tax savings or credit opportunities to place money in an account that can be used for services they need.  We strongly urge that the passage of the ABLE Act be a priority of any person seeking the office of President of the United States.


7. Bullying and restraints and seclusion that harm students at school are very serious issues that need a national solution right now. 


8. The high unemployment of adults with developmental disabilities must be a priority to be addressed by government agencies and the private sector. All individuals should have the opportunity to obtain meaningful employment based on skill level.


9. Federal housing, justice, employment and other government  programs that are for the general public should be required to prove they do not discriminate against individuals with developmental disabilities. 


10. Other government agencies and departments, and not just Health and Human Services,  should have a seat on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, which brings together public and private entities to coordinate autism services and support programs nationwide. The Autism Society urges this council to address the following needs: transitional services, living support, the growing socioeconomic disparity preventing people from accessing a diagnosis and vital autism services. All individuals with autism should enjoy protected civil rights.  






Saturday, July 07, 2012

Getting My Groove Back...

My project for the week... along with packing and getting ready for the new carpet and maybe painting.    I am going to try to rediscover some me time.

Since I am no good at it, I will let you know how it goes.

Friday, July 06, 2012

When Your Life is No Longer Your Own

ESY (in general ed parlance, summer school) starts Monday and not one moment too soon.  Jimmy is suffering from a lack of structure that school provides him, compounded by dealing with two new aides.  Miss E had him on lock so well that even out of school was nearly seemless - she had a routine of activities that, while changing a bit day to day provided him continuity.  I struggle to do the same and still take care of Jacob.  I have been out of school for two weeks and while I have gotten a lot done around the house, my life has been all consuming and draining.  I love spending time with both kiddos, but I am grateful for the routine starting on Monday.

Yet the craziness has been a distraction to my insecurities.  My BFF, who I admit I don't see as often I should, went to the family beach house this week.  She seems to have invited her other friends, her regular bar crew.  She had no reason to invite me - she did once years ago all of us, but it was impossible with my husband's work and a child that doesn't travel all that well.  And I am not really mad at her, by any means.  She is a friend and she has her own life.  She is in a completely different place than I am.  Sometimes I just long for that place than the one I am in.  I don't know if it is an impossibility or if I am doing something wrong in balancing my life.  I was supposed to go to Magic Mike with another close friend and I completely spaced it after the chaos of today.  

I love my kids.  I love my life.  Still, I wish this was all less isolating to me.  

Summer fun at Kings Dominion

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Happy Fourth!

Baby, You're a Firework

Back from the Fourth festivities and up with the boys, I realize I have been away far too long...

Feeling a little melancholy, so I decided to tweak my blog and maybe start writing again.  The guys have a big summer - a trip to Orlando, Summer School, things worth talking about.  And maybe writing again will help me get my head on straight.

Let's see if I make it back tomorrow!