Writing a Letter to the President

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My fellows on the spectrum,

I haven't read every posting on this particular board, but a cursory glance at one title-Obama insults disabled people-motivates me to quote the old adage: It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.

Obama is the most open president we've had since John F. Kennedy; possibly more so. This is a glorious opportunity to make our voices heard; I intend to do so. I may not have voted for him, but he is my president; and yours as well. I don't know exactly what he said, but I can imagine that it pales in comparison to the awful things Michael Savage has said.

Some tips for those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity:

-Be professional. Treat this like a business letter.
-Leave your anger and emotions at the door. Reason and logic is what is needed here. If you can't unclench your fist long enough to do this, then don't bother.
-Don't babble about your subjective feelings of superiority or inferiority; that will only reinforce old stereotypes and give birth to new ones.
-Do some research before putting pen to paper; learn what is going on in research, learn how to make logical arguments, learn some rhetoric.
-Suggest tangible solutions: Improving special education; include mental health as part of his health care plan; suggest ways to combat pseudoscience and misinformation about ASDs; more funding for people who really study the disorder, not just political pressure groups such as CAN or whatever.
-Point out that misconceptions run rampant along the political spectrum
-Maintain a respectful tone throughout
-Make sure your letter actually makes sense, lest it be sent to the crank file

I know, he doesn't read every letter. He may not read mine, or yours, or any of ours. But, this may be our best shot for a while to improve the lot of autistics....especially those who aren't as lucky as us.

Let me end with a quote from KMFDM, one of my favorite bands:

"The future belongs to those of us still willing get our hands dirty!"

Let's go!

What he said was a throw away comment people make without thinking-I understand if people were offended but Obama is not against people with disabilities. He was being teased about his bowling skills and he said something about the special olympics. We all say stupid things from time to time. Your guidelines on writing a letter are well thought but the press has already hammered the issue to death and then some.

I'm at Autreat right now. Paula Durbin gave a presentation today about the IACC. The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee is a federal advisory committee for autism research.

She says that anyone can go to their public hearings to make a statement as a self-advocate, and that they really do year you.

http://iacc.hhs.gov/events/2009/full-co ... ly15.shtml

What he said and how it was interpreted is irrelevant. I'm trying to say that the American Asperger's/Autism community has been waiting for so long for an administration that might actually listen and do something. Obama is that administration; the time for whining and sobbing is over. The time to speak up is now.

Self-advocacy is the core of my message; who better to appeal to than the president right now?

This chance is fleeting; lets not squander it.