The Autism Whisperer Cometh

From Jim Carrey's speech during the "Green Our Vaccines" really.

Autism is everywhere. It's on every street, in every town. It's a warning from the universe that there is a serious imbalance in our environment and that immediate changes must be made.

Woah--almost sounds like some of that new-age Indigo type of talk. I wonder if he is a crystal? He continues on,

To quote Burton Goldberg, an expert on the new age of medicine, 'autism is the canary in the coal mine.'

Bev at Asperger Square 8 has a different take on the canary metaphor (which apparently is also popular with a one Dr. Bryan Jepson). Dr. Burton Goldberg, I feel it should be noted (since we are referencing autistic children, vaccines, and other medical-related issues) received his Doctor of Humanities Hon. from a Capital University of Integrated Medicine (it may also be of interest that this school closed down in June 2006). He is a publisher, and the self-proclaimed "Voice of Alternative Medicine." That's right--he is not a medical physician.

Mr. Carrey continued on with the importance of trusting a mother's instinct, not trusting the government, and bashing the drug companies. He then adds, in reference to the pharmaceutical companies:

...they are far too busy fighting the scourge of restless leg syndrome.

Roars of laughter, hollering, and applause. He continues,

Also known as lazy ass disease.

This also is met with screams and yelps and more laughter. I loved it the one time when I was at a fund-raiser for cancer research, the speaker cracked a joke about people with diabetes. It was hysterical! Oh, wait, that never happened. That would never happen--would it? No, I think only people with the mindset that autistic individuals (along with any person with a neurological or mental difference, disability, or disorder) are not afforded the same respect or rights as others would say such a thing.

There is making light of one's differences, and then there is outright bashing. This was not funny (although it appears the audience was rather entertained), and certainly not amusing to the people who really do suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. My mother has it. She is not on one of the new medications for it, but on some nights she does take Ambien. It is something that has plagued her for as long as I can remember. She simply has had an official name for it in recent years; but she stayed awake many a night well before a name existed for this condition. I simply can't imagine making fun of someone else in such a manner, at such an event. But, then again, we are speaking of the same group of people who time and time again present themselves as less than professional (see below for more on that!).

Jim Carrey does actually say that "these children have a purpose" at the end of the speech. However, the tape shifts to Jenny's speech. So, I'm unsure what he perceives as the purpose of "these" children. Is it to be a part of society, respected and welcomed? Or is it to make some great change via the "greening" of vaccines?

Jenny goes on to speak, and describes herself as a mom of a child "who had autism." I wonder if she's changed her mantra--which used to be that he'd never be "cured" of autism. In every article, they define her as the mother of an autistic child. I believe my favorite Jennyism from that day was this:

"...and the ingredients like the freakin' mercury..."

What class. Once again, please don't group me in with the "autism community" and the "autism moms" you, Jenny, claim to represent.

Can someone who has watched the YouTube video posted here, please explain what the headless child sculptures are at the end? Please, please, tell me that is in no way related to this rally or to autistic people.

Earth Day 2008

I'm tired, so I don't have anything real insightful to post on this. Just a funny story:

In a gift shop today, my eldest alerts me, "Do not buy things that are made from animals!" I smiled at the statement, as it was only one of several declarations she made to me, on how I could be more green (most of which, I replied with "We already do that, sweetie."). I asked her why. She said "because it's from animals." I pressed her further, to see if she was just repeating what she had heard, or if she understood it it. I should know better by now. She then goes on to explain how animals suffer from it. Side note: to which I then add "well, that's partly why I don't eat meat." to which she adds, "WELL, no, that's not it, we NEED meat for that [to eat]!!!"

So, we continue walking through the gift shop. She looks down and says "THIS is animal," pointing to the rug (made from some type of animal skin). I told her "yes, it is." I distracted her by showing some of the decorations. We land on yet another animal skin rug (this store had at least 5 of them, and they appeared to be real--go figure, being there on Earth Day!). Now, she is getting angered. "Why would anyone make a rug from an animal? Don't they know they shouldn't do that????" I spoke in a low tone, assured her they probably do and maybe they were just recycling these? I also told her while it's good she has learned that lesson, perhaps this store wasn't the best place to preach on it.

She has a t-shirt declaring "Future President" and I have no doubt she will go very far. I've seen her advocate for her younger sister, debate adults on issues from politics to Barbies, and she always stands strong on her beliefs. This began very young, a few months shy of her 4th birthday, my husband and I took her to vote with us. While in line, she began chanting & singing songs about her favorite candidate. We promptly and gently gave her a lesson on campaigning at voting stations. My husband and I laughed at the thought of us getting kicked out because our preschooler was taunting other voters!

I will add--because I feel obligated to... My husband & I do all we can to be "green." We recycle, conserve water and electricity, use reusable grocery bags, buy organic and local, and so on. All of which, after today, my eldest is breathing a sigh of relief over. :)