Shards of Glass - Severe Autism Realities Hidden from Sight

 

I love to post the many pictures of Conor's happiness and his wonderful smile but he has always suffered from the more severe realities that afflict some with autism particularly those like him with ID and epilepsy. Severe autism realities from 7 years ago. The picture shows broken glass fragments which I found some time after Conor had put his hand through a window which he did a few times back then as well as through walls ,,, many times. Things have improved for him and it has been done primarily with medications. He still suffers moments of pain on occasion. Wearing costumes and praising autism as a gift and a community doesn't address the realities of those with autism, intellectual disability, migraine level headache pain and seizures of whom Conor is one. Conor can enjoy life and his smile is proof positive but painful reality can never be dismissed or ignored.

7 Years Ago

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Harold L Doherty

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Shards of Severe Autism Reality

We were cleaning books and papers out of the "China Cabinet" in our kitchen today. We had never stored China there only photos, albums and papers. Like other China Cabinets though there were glass doors on the front through which you could view the China. Over time Conor had, on different occasions, while suffering meltdowns, put his hands through the glass windows. I thought I had gotten all the glass out on each occasion but today after moving a group of albums I found some shards of glass, shards of severe autism realities.

Such events are not talked about by those alleged "thinking persons" and others who talk breathlessly about the joys of autism and criticize parents, and grandparents, of children with severe autism disorders and intellectual disabilities who talk honestly about the severe challenges faced by their own children, the children they love. Personally they will not stop me from talking honestly about the severe autism disorder from which my son suffers and yes he does suffer from it. I will continue to speak the truth about these serious neurological disorders and if my words seem to them like shards of glass then so be it.

          Double Disadvantage - Autism and Intellectual Disability

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jir.12573

The prevalence and general health status of people with intellectual disabilities and autism co-occurring together: a total population study

K. Dunn, E. Rydzewska, C. MacIntyre, J. Rintoul, S.-A. Cooper

Results

A total of 5709/5 295 403 (1.08/1000) people had co-occurring intellectual disabilities and autism; 2.58/1000 children/young people and 0.74/1000 adults. The peak reported prevalence was at age 10 years (3.78/1000); 66.0% were male. Their general health status was substantially poorer than for the rest of the population, more so for children/young people, and they had more limitations in their day-to-day activities. Co-occurring intellectual disabilities and autism had odds ratio = 48.8 (45.0–53.0) in statistically predicting poor health.

Conclusion

This is the first study to report the population prevalence of coexisting intellectual disabilities and autism, and the substantial influence this double disadvantage has on general health status, apparent across the entire life course. This highlights a group in need of wider recognition for whom resources should be focused on and planned for, informed by evidence. Staff in services for people with either of these conditions need to be trained, equipped, resourced and prepared to address the challenge of working for people with this duality. This is essential, to address these substantial health inequalities.

Conor has autism, ID and epilepsy and a great smile but not a COVID Vaccination

                 

Conor has autism, ID and epilepsy and a great smile but not a COVID Vaccination

Conor's health and safety is at risk from lack of COVID vaccine and it is the government's fault. The WSJ reported 2 months ago, based on 2 studies, that persons with Downs and autism were more than 2 times as likely to die from COVID as persons generally. NB has responded by making Downs a priority group for vaccination and that is a good thing. They have not done the same for autism though. My son has profound autism, developmental challenges and epilepsy. He is not in ANY priority grouping for vaccine shots. .... I have not been able to get him an appointment for a shot and that to me is pure ignorance that places my son's safety at risk.

Dominic Cardy Strong Supporter for Adult Autism Care April 2015 ... Minister Cardy April 2021?????

Minister Dominic Cardy do you still support an adult autism centre as you did in 2015? Adults with autism face the same future and could use your support in the current government.

"Dominic Cardy · Fredericton

· ASprpiosnl reer2, sniciho2ru0fed15 

On #WorldAutismAwarenessDay, in addition to noting the energy of friends like

Nick Taggart

and

Toni Swan

looking after their awesome kids, let's all push the NB govt to build a proper care centre for adults with severe autism - today we send those folks off to a centre in Maine, causing huge stress for them and their families and spending our health care dollars in another country.

Harold L Doherty

and his group has a sensible plan to deal with this and I hope the Liberals will listen. The status quo isn't good enough.

54You, Andrea L. Trevors, Valerie Wiley and 51 others

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I am NOT surprised the Justin Trudeau "Liberal" Government has Failed Canadians on COVID Vaccine Supplies

COVID Vaccine shortage in Canada. Are you surprised? 

Personally I am not surprised that Canada is suffering a COVID vaccine shortage. COVID vaccine supplies are a national and international matter not a provincial matter. PM Trudeau has been slow to recognize that reality.  He has been stuck on a health care is provincial slogan.  Tommy Douglas notwithstanding.

Photo of PM Justin Trudeau Above by Harold L Doherty, January 17, 2017

The federal government of Justin Trudeau  has shown disdain for the health care needs of Canadians.  It has simply ignored the Winnipeg 2016 resolution of the Liberal Party of Canada which called for Medicare Coverage for Autism treatment.  At a meeting in Fredericton on January 17, 2017 PM Trudeau did a 360 around the room pointing at persons seeking to ask questions.  He came to my direction and pointed at me and I was handed a mike by a local Liberal Party person who was assisting but  as soon as I got the mike Trudeau waved me off and I took the picture above when he turned away. I was told by friends present that he probably waved me off after getting a message from his local people that I would want to question him on autism.  

Last year, Feb 13, 2020,  I received a reply from an officer in the PM Office which among other things emphasized that health care is a provincial matter.  

COVID Vaccine shortage in Canada under the Trudeau government? No surprise here.

Prime Minister/Premier Ministre <PM@pm.gc.ca>	Thu, Feb 13, 2020, 1:40 PM
to me, Patricia

Dear Mr. Doherty:

On behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence.

I would first like to express my sincere regret that your concern about this serious issue is related to your family's personal experience. Quite understandably, the situation involving your son Conor is a matter of great concern, not only to you, but to all members of your family.

As you are likely aware, primary responsibility for matters related to the administration and delivery of health care services rests with the provinces and territories. I note that you have also sent your email to the Honourable Hugh Flemming, Minister of Health of New Brunswick, who is the appropriate authority in this regard. I regret that I can only advise that you continue that course of enquiry.

That being said, issues related to Autism spectrum disorder education and awareness at the federal level fall within the purview of the Honourable Patricia A. Hajdu, Minister of Health, whom I note you have copied on your email. While the Prime Minister appreciates being made aware of your views, he will leave that matter to be considered by Minister Hajdu.

Thank you for writing to the Prime Minister. I wish you and your family well.

Yours sincerely,

T. Jolicoeur
Executive Correspondence Officer
for the Prime Minister's Office
Agent de correspondance
de la haute direction
pour le Cabinet du Premier ministre

I will NOT join Autism Speaks Canada in CELEBRATING Autism Spectrum DISORDER

 I am the father of a 25 year old son with severe autism spectrum DISORDER and related developmental disabilities. Like many with autism and developmental disabilities (intellectual disabilities) my son suffers from epileptic seizures for which he receives anti-seizure medication 2X daily. As a person with autism, ID and epilepsy his life expectancy is reduced by 30 years. ... I live with and am thankful for the joy of my son every day but I will not be joining Autism Speaks Canada to celebrate my son's Autism Spectrum DISORDER as they stated within the last 24 hours.:

""April is World Autism Month, an annual opportunity for a dedicated conversation and celebration of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Over 70 million people in the world are autistic. In Canada approximately 1 in 66 children and youth are autistic. Let's celebrate these wonderful individuals by increasing understanding and awareness of autism.

Join us in lighting up the world with kindness this April. Show your support by donating now:""

Epilepsy is Common in Persons with Autism and Intellectual Disabilty

 

March 26 is International Epilepsy Awareness Day. Conor was first diagnosed with autism and profound development delay the day after his 2nd birthday. What I didn't know at that time was that persons with autism and intellectual disability are at high risk of having epilepsy as well. Sometimes it becomes apparent in early childhood and sometimes in teen years as was the case with Conor.