Before I write more about this, I feel compelled to share a couple of things in the interest of full disclosure.
First, I am a survivor of childhood hydrocephalus and have a neurological profile that fits what is called nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD). There’s enough overlap between NLD and Asperger’s that many workshops and groups lump them together as “spectrum disorders.”
Second, I am a fan and supporter of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). I consider Ari Ne’eman, president of ASAN, a friend.
Over the past few years, ASAN has risen in prominence in the disability rights community – and in terms of the media. This is due, IMO, to the group’s political savvy, clear message, and a message of realistic hope to individuals with autism and their families.
In brief, ASAN and its supporters in the neurodiversity movement advocate an alternative to the “cure or stomp every trace of difference out of the individual approach.” (Note: these are my words, not those of ASAN’s) They believe that every person with autism or other neurological condition can have a good life, with the right supports – and that the world can become a less hostile place for those who are different.
If you think the topic is a little out of the way for NDY, think again. Three-year-old Katie McCarron was killed by her mother in 2006. Katie had autism and court testimony revealed that Karen – Katie’s mother – wasn’t happy with any progress her daughter made. In fact, nothing short of Katie somehow being “normal” would satisfy her. Obviously, the vast majority of parents of kids with autism don’t kill their kids, but some who do are in that unrealistic and dismal place that Karen McCarron was.
The current storm was triggered by the news that Ari Ne’eman and the neurodiversity movement is to be featured in this week’s Newsweek.
On the popular “cure autism” site, Age of Autism, a response was made by a college student with Aspergers who disagrees with the neurodiversity movement in the form of an “open letter,” and contains some familiar moves:
- He complains about the lack of a dissenting voice, ignoring the immense ammount of unchallenged coverage that the “autism is a curse that must be cured” has received;
- He mischaracterizes positions promoted by the neurodiversity movement;
- He relies on his individual voice serving to nullify the collective voice of a growing movement.
All that is mild, though, compared to the posts on “Hating Autism” (and everyone who has it, apparently). The blog is written by John Best, who writes by the name “foresam.”
His reaction to the news about the Newsweek article was to write a blog post titled: Ask Newsweek to Kill Ari Ne’eman. To be fair, the post itself refers to “killing” the article:
I hear that Newsweek is going to run another article allowing the sadist, Ari Ne’eman, to lie to the world about autism. Before that comes out, I think it’s useful for sane people to ask Newsweek to kill this article, or, at least allow us equal space to tell the truth about the horror of autism.
But John Best doesn’t end there. The really disturbing, creepy, scary and violent part comes in a comment he submitted later on:
I believe that everyone associated with Neurodiversity should be put to death for the propaganda they perpetrate against curing horribly disabled children. They are part of the lies told by vaccine makers and politicians who continue to cause autism intentionally.
I believe that autism is the greatest crime in the history of the planet and that anyone who has been involved with it in any way deserves to die, preferably slowly and with great pain. So, while I don’t suggest that anyone should shoot Ari Ne’eman in the head, I do think he deserves a trial for his role in this atrocity. I hope the outcome of that trial would be death.
You know, if I ever wrote anything remotely this incendiary about pro-euthanasia people – or even the Final Exit Network “special forces,” I’d be vilified by foes and allies would find various ways to distance themselves from me – fast. My guess is that this won’t hurt John Best at all and may even increase his support. Hate, like misery, loves company.
For more outrage, and a constructive way to retaliate, please check out Turning Trolls Into Stone at Whose Planet Is It Anyway?
Later today, you can check out my personal blog for some more discussion of the “cure” issue and my personal take on it. –Stephen Drake