Medicare's Orphans: Jean Lewis On The Struggle for Autism Treatment In Canada

The video and clip below are from the Medicare for Autism Now web site and feature MFAN co-founder Jean Lewis, one of Canada's foremost autism advocates, providing an articulate, personally informed summary of the struggle for autism treatment in Canada.  

Jean keeps the discussion on a non-partisan level and discusses the fight to end Canada's inhumane and  discriminatory exclusion of treatment for those with autism disorders in the context of other historic struggles for liberation from discrimination based on race and gender. A very important point to remember in Jean's message is that such struggles are never overnight affairs.  They are essentially political wars which involve many battles before the wars are won.  

For those of us who are parents it is difficult  but it is, and always will be, necessary to stay engaged in the battles, to continue the fight and to assist newcomers who need to join the political armies fighting for a humane, Canadian  government to fulfill the promise of Medicare of which Canadians are justifiably proud  and ensure coverage of evidence based treatment for autism disorders. 

Jean Lewis, co-founder of Medicare for Autism Now and Civil Rights Now and co-producer of Medicare’s Orphans discusses the purposes of the film — which are provide a detailed history of the autism treatment movement, and to help maintain momentum in the campaign for justice.

 

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Jean Lewis, Canada's Foremost Autism Advocate, Provides Firsthand History of Canadian Autism Advocacy From an Experienced, Personal Perspective

I strongly encourage anyone with an autistic child or interest in autism services in Canada to watch this video by Jean Lewis, Canada's foremost autism advocate, who has lived and led much of the autism advocacy in Canada over the last decade. 

Jean is extremely well informed, articulate and authentic. She has lived the reality of severe autism and related disorders with her child and she, and her husband Michael, have fought with intelligence and determination to bring services to autistic children and adults in BC and across Canada.

 

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Autism Parents: "You Need To Take Your Heart In Your Teeth And Go On ... And Go On"

"For those parents who say they are too broke and too tired...you need to take your heart in your teeth and go on...and go on...." 


Stefan Marinoiu, Medicare's Orphans

David Marley, Simon Marinoiu, Jean Lewis, 2008

The above comment by Stefan Marinoiu, father of a severely autistic son, Simon Marinoiu,  is great advice for parents of autistic children.  It is the advice of a man who has literally walked that path and knows of what he speaks. As the parent of a severely autistic son I do not always want to hear from people who know nothing of the realities of severe, low functioning autism disorders telling me what is best for my son or what I must do to help him.  When I listened to Stefan Marinoui though I was listening to one who knew of what he talked, one who had quite literally walked the walk.

On January 31, 2008 in the middle of a cold Canadian winter Stefan Marinoiu left his home in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough and began walking with only the clothes on his back to Ottawa to raise awareness about the lack of services for people like his son Simon, a strong young man with limited communication abilities and serious behavior issues. When Stefan arrived safely in Ottawa, after receiving help from well wishers he met on his journey, he met with then Health Minister Tony Clement. 

Unfortunately Tony Clement, and the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper were not genuinely moved by Stefan's journey. They have done absolutely nothing to ensure that  all autistic children in Canada received evidence based ABA treatment for their autism. They have done nothing to ensure that autistic adults in Canada have access to decent residential care and treatment. Gazebos, prisons, jet fighters sure, but not real help for autistic Canadian children or adults.

I met Stefan and his wonderful family when I, along with Jean Lewis and David Marley of Medicare for Autism NOW!, visited their home in the Toronto area in 2008.  Stefan is a modest person of great focus and presence.  There is no hidden agenda. His concerns are clearly and succinctly expressed in compelling language as in the advice quoted above.  I was deeply moved by the Marinoiu family, for the love they have for Simon, by their struggles to help him and by the impact Simon's autism has had on their lives.

In Medicare's Orphans Stefan, wife Bernadette and daughter Lia speak about what Simon's autism is like and what it has meant to them, the impact it has had on the members of their family.  If you watch this film and listen to Stefan, Bernadette and Lia, you will be moved.  Listening to their stories again strengthens my resolve to continue advocating for my son Conor and other children and adults with autism disorders. It strengthens my resolve to fight for early intervention, effective, real education and decent residential care for autistic children and adults here in New Brunswick and across Canada.

If you are a parent of a child with an autism disorder I encourage you to view the Medicare's Orphans film and "take your heart in your teeth ... and go on ... and go on".

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Medicare's Orphans: The Fight for Healthcare for Children with Autism Disorders

Medicare's Orphans. from MedicareForAutismNow on Vimeo.

Medicare's Orphans – A film about the fight to get healthcare for children with autism in Canada  is now online.  I encourage everyone with an interest in autism disorders, anyone interested in advocating for treatment and cure for this serious neurological disorder to view this film. I make a few appearances in this film. It was an honor to participate in this effort with each and everyone of those featured.  

In particular, I had the opportunity a few years ago to meet the Marinoiu family from Toronto. Their son Simon is very similar to my son Conor. I was deeply moved by my experience meeting this wonderful family. Simon's life, his future, is very close to what can be expected for my son here in New Brunswick where our system of adult care for people with severe autism disorder challenges has been frozen by a non evidence based community cliche movement that prevents any serious discussion of adult care beyond the group homes that currently can't handle the challenges presented by severe autism. The result is that severely autistic adults like my son live in a psychiatric hospital in northwestern New Brunswick.

To confront the very real challenges for Canadians with autism disorders it will be necessary for new generations of Canadian parents, and sympathetic professionals, to step up to the plate and fight. The fight has been taking place for years.  The fight must continue. Parents in particular must begin again to fight for our children.  

Begin by watching Medicare's Orphans. 

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Medicare for Autism: Lewis and Marley Speak Up!

David Marley and Jean Lewis On the Need 

for Medicare Coverage for Autism Disorders

Jean Lewis, for 13 years, and David Marley, for 6 years, have been advocating, fighting is the better word given the powerful interests they have had to challenge, for medicare coverage of autism treatment in Canada. Autism disorders are exactly that ... disorders, very serious disorders in many cases, yet in Canada we do not consider intervention for autism disorders as treatments worthy of medicare coverage, we simply abandon our autistic children to the whims of social services bureaucrats in every nook and cranny of our very large nation.  

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Determined Autism Advocates Jean Lewis & David Marley Fight for Medicare Coverage for Autism Disorders

David Marley and Jean Lewis of Medicare for Autism Now!

Oakville, Ontario, 2008

David Marley and Jean Lewis of Medicare for Autism NOW! have been fighting for medicare coverage of evidence based treatment for autism disorders for many years.  I first met them in Halifax in May, 2007 and again in Oakville and Toronto in April, 2008.  Last year I had the privilege of seeing them again in Toronto while they were working on the film Medicare’s Orphans: Canadians Unworthy of Treatment  which is expected to set out the case for medicare coverage of autism treatment in Canada. The video below features Jean and David interviewed by radio host Bill Good.  It is the last trailer for the Medicare's Orphans film expected to be released this fall.

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FEAT BC Autism Rally Update Friday, November 13

Parents of autistic children and their supporters will rally outside Premier Gordon Campbell’s constituency office this Friday, November the 13th at noon to protest the provincial government’s attempt to begin to dismantle individualized treatment funding and to mark the 5th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Auton decision.

FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC) is a not-for-profit volunteer organization of parents and professionals working towards universal access to effective, science-based treatment for all Canadians diagnosed with autism.

Louise Witt, board member and spokesperson for FEAT of BC states that “The recent tragic deaths of two Canadian children with autism, killed at the hands of their own parents, are a wake up call. The status quo is putting the health of children and their very lives in jeopardy. At present, no mandate exists to deliver healthcare to children with autism or to enshrine their right to this medically necessary treatment.”

“It’s been five years since the Auton decision was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada and kids with autism are still being denied their treatment” says Bev Sharpe, one of the founding members of FEAT of BC. “How many more children have to die? It’s long past time for the government to do the morally right and economically sensible thing, which is to provide treatment to these vulnerable children.”

For more information, contact Louise Witt at 778-999-0971 or www.featbc.org

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FEAT BC Autism Rally At Premier Campbell's Office Friday November 13 at 12 Noon

FEAT Rally

Friday, November 13^th, 2009

12:00 Noon

Premier Gordon Campbell’s Constituency Office

3615 West 4^th Ave

Vancouver, BC

Why should you attend?

• The recent tragic deaths of two Canadian children with autism, killed at the hands of their own parents, is a wake up call! The status quo is putting the health of children and their very lives in jeopardy.

• September’s announcement by the Ministry of Children and Family Development has shown that our government is not concerned about the rights and needs of some of its most vulnerable citizens.

• No legislation or mandate exists to deliver health care to children with autism or to protect and enshrine their right to their medically necessary treatment. What little individualized funding being provided now is in jeopardy of being taken away.

• Autism is an epidemic! According to the Center for Disease Control, it now affects one in every 100 children in North America.

• It is time for our provincial government to recognize its responsibility to act and to demonstrate leadership for the rest of Canada!

Who should attend?

-parents, grandparents, friends, consultants, therapists, anyone who is concerned about this injustice to our children. We urge you all to attend this rally!

Featured Speakers will include:

Jean Lewis – Vancouver parent, board member, Medicare for Autism Now!

Bev Sharpe – Vancouver parent, board member, Families for Early Autism Treatment

Louise Witt – Surrey parent, spokesperson, Families for Early Autism Treatment

(To RSVP or for more information email abarocks@gmail.com )

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Harold Doherty's Autism Advocacy Awards

#1 Autism Advocacy Award - Conor's Smile, Joy and Happiness

#2 Autism Advocacy Award - An ASNB Mug

Given To Me By Fellow Parents, Friends and Officers of the Autism Society of New Brunswick. The Mug was given to me a couple of years back and, like me, shows the wear and tear of time. The Hulk was a nickname given by former ASNB President Lila Barry, who has been a force for autism in New Brunswick. The picture is my "mug" superimposed on a target background.

#3 Loyal Order of the Flying Swine Award

I was one of the recipients of the Flying Swine Award handed out by Jean Lewis and David Marley. This award has been handed to few people but includes some very distinguished autism advocates including Jim Munson, Shawn Murphy, Andy Scott and peter Stoffer.

With these three awards I have been truly honored and will continue my autism advocacy efforts.

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Medicare for Autism Now-BC Campaign Rally and Ontario Tour

Medicare for Autism Now Society

www.medicareforautismnow.org

Medicare for Autism Now-BC Campaign Rally and Ontario Tour

Vancouver, BC:- The Medicare for Autism Now Society today announced it will be holding a campaign rally on Saturday, October 4, 2008 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Eaglequest Golf and Country Club, 7778 - 152nd St. in Surrey. This rally is part of the society’s “Two Percent Solution” campaign aimed at influencing the electoral outcome in 14 targeted federal constituencies across the country.

“In its Auton decision, the Supreme Court of Canada told parents of autistic children to “get political” if they wanted to see their children no longer be orphans of the Medicare system,” states Jean Lewis, a founding director of the Medicare for Autism Now Society. “We’ve taken the judiciary at their word and have launched a nation-wide campaign to elect MPs, regardless of which political party holds office following this election, who will vote for legislation that enshrines the treatment of autism under Medicare because it is the morally right and economically sensible thing to do.”

The rally is intended to attract parents of autistic children and their supporters from across Metro Vancouver. Its aim is to promote a grassroots campaign that will help elect candidates to Parliament who support Medicare for Autism Now!

“As a Canadian who does not have an autistic child, but who believes strongly in the fundamental values of this country, I am disgusted by the federal government’s willful indifference to the plight of these children and their families,” says Scott Hean, who will be master of ceremonies at the rally.


Representatives of Medicare for Autism Now will be traveling to Ontario the next day for a week of campaigning in target constituencies, including Parry Sound-Muskoka, political home to Canada’s Health Minister, Tony Clement.


For further information, contact:

Jean Lewis at 604-925-4401 or 604-290-5737, and jean.lewis@telus.net

autism

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Medicare for Autism Now! Rally October 4th Surrey BC

Medicare for Autism Now! Rally

Saturday, October 4th, 2008
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Eaglequest Golf Club,
7778 – 152nd St.,

Surrey, BC, V3S 3M4

Why should I attend?

· Despite a decade of lobbying, collaborating and litigating – autism treatment is still excluded from our universal health care system. Canadian families from BC to Newfoundland and everywhere in between are still bankrupting themselves in order to provide treatment for their autistic children.

· The current and limited funding provided through the Ministry for Children and Families could evaporate tomorrow with the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen. No legislation exists within this ministry to protect or enshrine our children’s medically necessary treatment.

· In 30 years of advocacy, the only two initiatives which have achieved ANY success for our children and families has been litigation, and more recently, focused political action. Both were brought by the members of FEAT of BC – a 100% volunteer organization.

Autism is an epidemic of staggering proportions, it now afflicts one in every 150 children in North America, one in every 94 boys.

· Autism is an election issue in the US…Both Senators Obama and McCain have publicly identified progressive autism policy which can be viewed on their websites….Obama-“Every nation has a special responsibility to look after those who can’t look after themselves…” McCain-“Their lives should matter to the people elected to office…they matter to me.” In 2006, both Obama and McCain supported the “Combating Autism Bill” which allocated $945 million to autism research and treatment. The US federal government recognizes their responsibility to intervene by acting to avoid a major health and social crisis.

It is now time for our federal government to recognize their responsibility to act!

· Today, all over Canada, parents of children with autism and growing numbers of other fair-minded, but outraged Canadian voters expect our federal government to show leadership and act. This is not a right or left issue – it’s a right or wrong issue!

· We intend to let those who govern and those who wish to govern know that they will be held accountable, regardless of party affiliation, at the ballot box on Oct. 14th.

Who should attend? You – and every fair-minded Canadian you know!

In Canada, children with autism and their families suffer from political indifference. It will take the sustained energy and dedication of EVERY CANADIAN who desires a just society to correct this injustice. For our children’s sake, and the sake of future generations, we urge you to attend this rally.

Please bring friends, family, kids, anyone and everyone you know who is appalled by the gross injustice done to our children every day by the governments of Canada and its provinces. Come and find out how you can make your vote actually count on October 14th!

Featured speakers will include:

Dr. Sabrina Freeman – parent, founder and Executive Director, FEAT of BC

Jean Lewis – parent, Director of FEAT of BC and The Medicare for Autism Now Society

Beverley Sharpe – parent and FEAT of BC member

Dr. Glen Davies – Clinical Director, ABLE Developmental Clinic

Louise Witt – parent, Director of FEAT of BC and The Autism Society of BC

Dubravka Skrijelj – parent, FEAT of BC member

Dr. Melvin deLevie – Pediatrician, Vancouver

David Marley – Political advisor to FEAT of BC and Director – The Medicare for Autism Now Society

David Chan – parent, Director- Autism Society of BC and FEAT of BC member

Dione Costanzo – parent, FEAT of BC member

Children are more than welcome! There will be a room for them to hang out, play, enjoy snacks and get their face painted!

Please RSVP to _______________

For more information or to find out how you can help, go to:

www.medicareforautismnow.org

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Medicare for Autism NOW! Featured on TheTyee

"As a veteran American senator once observed, politicians see the light when they feel the heat. We launched the Two Percent Solution in five ridings in the last elections, and I believe we had some impact on the outcome in two of them. We punched above our weight the first time, and I think this time out the campaign has real potential for democratic renewal. This isn't a partisan effort. It's an attempt to reverse a stupid policy."


David Marley, The Tyee, September 1, 2008

Photo by Harold L Doherty

As the country awaits Stephen Harper's election call, The Tyee has featured the Medicare for Autism NOW! campaign led by Jean Lewis, business woman, parent of an autistic child and prominent autism advocate, and David Marley, lawyer and veteran political organizer. In the picture above Jean and David are shown in Oakville Ontario on April 19, 2008 where they appeared as part of a line up of speakers detailing the Medicare for Autism NOW! strategy for the next federal election, now expected to be held in mid-October.

The Tyee article is a well written, detailed report on the Medicare for Autism NOW! non-partisan strategy of targeting ridings across Canada with narrow margins of victory in the last election and supporting candidates in those ridings who openly support inclusion of ABA treatment for autism under Medicare. The article also comments on the effectiveness of ABA as an autism treatment and the hodge podge of ABA coverage offered across Canada.

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Medicare for Autism NOW! in Oakville, Organizing and Sending A Message

It was a warm sunny day in Oakville yesterday as the Medicare for Autism NOW! team gathered at the Iroquois Ridge Community Centre to meet families in the communities west of Toronto, to organize and to send a message to ALL federal politicians: Canadians are suffering from a NATIONAL autism crisis. Some autistic children, depending on where they live, receive NO treatment for autism. The lack of treatment prevents some autistic children from living a full life and imposes emotional and financial hardship on family members.

Many of us have talked about a National Autism Strategy to address Canada's national autism crisis for years. Some politicians of character and conscience, people like Senator Jim Munson and MPs Andy Scott, Peter Stoffer and Shawn Murphy have actively campaigned for a National Autism Strategy. Stephen Harper, alleged Health Minister Tony Clement and Conservative MP and autism father Mike Lake on the other hand have largely mocked the efforts for a national autism strategy. Aided and abetted by Dr. Rémi Quirion and the CIHR the national autism strategy has been reduced to a less than mediocre web site and a secretive, politicized and staged National Autism Symposium that resulted in absolutely NO autism information being disseminated to Canadians.

Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at the Oakville rally along with Jean Lewis who has led litigation and political autism battles in British Columbia and experienced political organizer David Marley. We were joined by Jennifer O'Brien from Oakville, autism winter trek hero Stefan Marinoiu from Toronto, Barry Hudson from Toronto and constitutional lawyer Deborah Coyne from Toronto. Medicare for Autism NOW! is national in scope. We are organizing coast to coast and we have a message for federal politicians of all stripes. Something must be done NOW. We need Medicare for Autism NOW. David Marley, show in the bottom picture below has prepared a strategy. A number of ridings that were decided by 2% or less in the last election will be targeted for election action by the Medicare for Autism NOW team. We will be making an impact in those ridings on behalf of the candidates, whatever their political stripe, who support Medicare for Autism NOW. David Marley is also organizing of team of people with political organizing skills and experience to help get our message across effectively.

One of the key ridings will be the Parry Sound Muskoka riding of Alleged Health Minister Tony Clement. Mr. Clement won by one of the smallest margins of any MP in Canada in the last election. Stefan Marinoiu, David Marley and Jean Lewis toured the riding this week and apparently there is already, for various reasons. substantial dissatisfaction with Mr Clement amongst his riding constituents who were also very supportive of the Medicare for Autism effort. Medicare for Autism NOW! will be active in the riding of alleged Health Minister Clement to remind constituents of Mr Clements refusal to help autistic Canadians and their families.

Iroquois Ridge Community Centre in Oakville

Jennifer O'Brien

Jean Lewis

Stefan Marinoiu

Deborah Coyne

Barry Hudson

David Marley

autism

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Medicare for Autism NOW! Meets Sandie Rinaldo and CTV

Yesterday was a big day as Medicare for Autism NOW! met Sandie Rinaldo and CTV

The CTV camera crew sets up

Jean and David arrive

Gary from CTV briefs Stefan, Jean and David

Jean and Sandie Rinaldo prepare for the interview

Afterwards its over to the CTV Toronto offices in the Globe and Mail
building before heading out for lunch

autism

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Facing Autism With Stefan Marinoiu and Friends

At the end of my travel day to Toronto I met with autism's winter trek hero
Stefan Marinoiu, Jean Lewis and David Marley. Stefan invited us to dinner at his home
where his wonderful wife Bernadette had prepared an awesome meal for us. We met
Stefan's beautful family, Bernadette, sons Paul and Simon and daughter Lia.

Paul, Bernadette, Lia and Stefan

David Marley, Simon, Jean Lewis

Stefan, David, Jean and me, "the face that was made for radio", in back

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Facing Autism In Toronto and Oakville

Tomorrow I will be 'goin' down the road', flying actually, to Toronto and then on to Oakville where I will be speaking as part of a national autism awareness and advocacy campaign. I will be joining a team of dedicated parents and concerned citizens from FEAT-BC and FEAT Ontario who are advocating for a real National Autism Strategy; for the inclusion of autism in Canada's medicare system so that autistic children, wherever they live in Canada, will have access to effective evidence based treatment.

For me, the trip will be a homecoming of sorts. I worked in Toronto for a few years in the 90's. Both of my wonderful sons were born down the QEW at the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington. When Conor was born there 12 years ago I had almost no awareness of autism beyond some vague movie imagery of autistic savants. I did not know then what autism would come to mean for Conor or our family. Two years later I had returned to New Brunswick and after Conor's diagnosis became immersed in the world of autism and, by necessity, autism advocacy.

For that time, Conor was diagnosed at a relatively early age, 2 years. He was diagnosed after tests and observations over a period of several months which also occurred after time waiting for our appointment with the pediatrician. We had sought medical assessment because of lack of speech, lack of interaction of the kind that a child usually shows with their parents and because of a variety of odd behaviors.

When Conor was diagnosed there was very little in the way of autism specific services or information available in New Brunswick. Along with a number of other concerned parents I began my life as an advocate for my son, and for effective autism treatment, education, and residential care. Although much remains to be done, we have accomplished much for a small province lacking the financial resources of wealthier provinces. One of the tools we used to make gains for autism services in Canada was the trial decision in the Auton case, which was upheld on appeal by the British Columbia Court of Appeal but was ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada. Notwithstanding the SCC reversal the trial decision in Auton set out accurately the state of expert opinion on the effectiveness of ABA as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders, information that was very helpful in advocating publicly for the creation of autism specific services.

Notwithstanding the advances made since the trial decision in Auton Canada remains a patchwork quilt in terms of provision of autism treatment. Oil rich Alberta provides substantial funding for autism treatment until age 18 while next door in Saskatchewan they are just starting to provide autism services. A national autism strategy, inclusion of autism treatment in Medicare, is imperative if all autistic children in Canada are to benefit, and benefit fully, from intensive early intervention.

I will be honored to travel to Toronto and Oakville and join the people from FEAT Ontario, FEAT-BC (including people like Jean Lewis one of the "Auton" parents), and fellow speakers like Constitutional lawyer Deborah Coyne and autism's winter trek hero Stefan Marinoiu The Supreme Court of Canada effectively removed the courts and the Constitution of Canada as effective tools for helping ensure that autistic children receive effective evidence based treatment in Canada. We have to get political to ensure that all autistic children in Canada are treated equally and receive the treatment they need to prosper and grow. To accomplish such a large undertaking we all need to come together and advocate EFFECTIVELY for medicare for autism.

If you are interested in getting involved in advocating for medicare for autism I hope to meet you in Toronto and Oakville. See you there!

"Medicare for Autism Now!" Rally

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Iroquois Ridge Community Center,

1051 Glenashton Drive,

Oakville, Ontario, L6H 6Z4

autism

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Medicare for Autism Now! Rally April 19th Oakville

"Medicare for Autism Now!" Rally

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Iroquois Ridge Community Center,

1051 Glenashton Drive,

Oakville, Ontario, L6H 6Z4

Why should you attend?

* Despite a decade of lobbying, collaborating and litigating – autism treatment is still excluded from our universal health care system. Canadian families from BC to Newfoundland and everywhere in between are still bankrupting themselves in order to provide treatment for their disabled children.

* The current and limited patchwork of funding and services provided through the provinces’ social services ministries could evaporate tomorrow with a change of government, or the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen. No legislation or mandate exists within these social services ministries to deliver health care or to protect and enshrine our children’s medically necessary treatment.

* In 30 years of "advocacy", the only two initiatives which have achieved ANY success in obtaining treatment funding in any province has been litigation, and more recently, focused political action. Both were brought by volunteer parent groups.

* Autism is an epidemic of staggering proportions, it now afflicts one in every 150 children in North America, one in every 94 boys. Autism has become an election issue in the U.S. - Senators Clinton, Obama and McCain have all articulated extremely progressive positions. In 2006, the U.S. federal government unanimously passed the "Combating Autism Act" which allocated $945 million into research and treatment. The U.S. federal government recognizes their responsibility to intervene by acting to avoid a major health and social crisis.

* It is time for our federal government to recognize their responsibility to act! This is not a left or right issue – it’s a right or wrong issue!

* Today, all over Canada, parents of children with autism and growing numbers of fair-minded, but outraged Canadian voters expect our federal government to act. We are letting those who govern and those who wish to govern know they will be held accountable, regardless of party affiliation, at the ballot box in the next federal election.

Who should attend?

You – and every fair-minded Canadian you know!

In Canada, children with autism and their families suffer from political indifference. It will take the sustained energy and dedication of EVERY CANADIAN who desires a just society to correct this injustice. For our children’s sake, and the sake of future generations, we urge you to attend this rally. Please bring friends, family, kids, anyone and everyone you know who is appalled by the gross injustice done to our children every day by the governments of Canada and its provinces.

Come and find out how you can make your vote actually count!

Featured speakers will include:

Jean Lewis – Vancouver parent, B.C. Co-ordinator for "Medicare for Autism Now!" initiative

Harold Doherty – Fredericton parent, Maritime Co-ordinator for "Medicare for Autism Now!" initiative

David Marley – Vancouver supporter/advisor, B.C. Co-ordinator for "Medicare for Autism Now!" initiative

Stefan Marinoiu – Toronto parent, "Medicare for Autism Now!" supporter

Deborah Coyne – Toronto parent, "Medicare for Autism Now!" supporter

Please RSVP a.s.a.p. to: Jennifer O’Brien

Email: jobrien116@cogeco.ca

For more information regarding "Medicare for Autism Now!" – check out:

www.medicareforautismnow.blogspot.com


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An Autism Message From BC for Alleged Federal Health Minister Tony Clement

The Medicare for Autism NOW rally held in Burnaby was a huge success. The message is being heard across Canada. Autism is a medical disorder. A well studied treatment is available and it should be covered under Canada's medicare system. The Global News video which follows includes some commentary from dedicated autism advocates Jean Lewis and David Marley.The video also includes some nice footage of parents and the children they love; the children they are doing everything they can to help.

Nothing will be done, though, unless our federal politicians, people like Prime Minister Harper and Alleged Health Minister Tony Clement can be convinced that it is in their political best interests to take action. "Health" Minister Clement prove you really are a Health Minister, take steps now to include medicare coverage for ABA, a proven effective treatment for autism.

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Medicare for Autism Rally TODAY In Burnaby BC

Sunday, March 2nd, 2008
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
6450 Deer Lake Avenue
Burnaby

Why should you attend?

Despite a decade of lobbying, collaborating and litigating – autism treatment is still excluded from our universal health care system. Canadian families are still bankrupting themselves in order to provide treatment for their autistic children.

The current and limited funding provided through the provincial government’s social services ministries could evaporate tomorrow with the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen. No legislation exists within these ministries to protect or enshrine our children’s medically necessary treatment.

In 30 years of "advocacy", the only two initiatives which have achieved ANY success for our children and families has been
litigation, and more recently, focused political action. Both were brought by the members of FEAT of BC – a 100% volunteer organization.

Autism is an epidemic of staggering proportions, it now afflicts one in every 150 children in North America, one in every 94 boys. It is time for the Federal Government to act! We need to let those who govern and those who wish to govern that they are going to be held accountable at the ballot box in the next federal election.

Who should attend?

You - and every fair-minded Canadian you know!

Children with autism suffer from political indifference. It will take the sustained energy and dedication of EVERY CANADIAN who desires a just society to correct this injustice. For our children’s sakes, and the sake of future generations, we urge you to attend this rally.

Please bring friends, family, anyone and everyone you know who is appalled by the gross injustice done to our children every day by the governments of Canada and its provinces.

Featured speakers will include:

Dr. Sabrina Freeman – Executive Director, FEAT of BC and parent

Jean Lewis – Director, FEAT of BC and parent

David Chan – Director, Autism Society of BC, FEAT of BC and parent

Dubravka Skrijelj – FEAT of BC member and parent

Dr. Glen Davies – Clinical Director - ABLE Developmental Clinic

Beverley Sharpe – FEAT of BC member and parent

Louise Witt – Director, Autism Society of BC, FEAT of BC and parent

David Marley – FEAT of BC member and Political Strategist

Please RSVP to www. featbc.org and forward this notice to anyone you think will be interested.

FEAT of BC: "To see justice is done"

autism

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FEAT-BC “Campaign Kick-off Rally”: Sunday, March 2, 2008

FEAT-BC “Campaign Kick-off Rally”: Sunday, March 2, 2008

Vancouver, BC: - FEAT-BC [Families for Early Autism Treatment in BC] today announced it will be holding a “campaign kick-off rally” on Sunday, March 2, 2008, beginning at 2:00pm, at the Jack Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby. This rally launches the FEAT-BC goes coastal campaign, aimed at influencing the electoral outcome in more than a dozen targeted constituencies across Canada in the upcoming federal general election.

“ In its Auton decision, the Supreme Court of Canada told parents of autistic children to ‘get political’ if they wanted to see their children no longer be orphans of the Medicare system,”states Jean Lewis, a founding director of FEAT-BC. “Well, we’re taking the judiciary at their word and launching a nation-wide campaign to elect MPs, regardless of which political party holds office following the next election, who will vote for legislation that enshrines the treatment of autism under Medicare because it is the morally and economically correct thing to do.”

The rally is intended to attract parents of autistic children and their supporters from across Metro Vancouver. Its aim is to ignite a grassroots campaign that will help elect candidates for Parliament who will support Medicare for Autism Now!

“As a Canadian who does not have an autistic child, but who believes strongly in the fundamental values of this country, I am disgusted by the federal government’s willful indifference to the plight of these children and their families,” says Scott Hean, who will be master of ceremonies at the rally.

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For further information, contact: Jean Lewis at 604-925-4401 or 604-290-5737, and jean.lewis@telus.net.

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