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Columbus, April 2, 2008
On Tuesday, April 2, 2008, also known as World Autism Day as designated by the United Nations, Nancy Bernotaitis, President, and Shelli Mendel-Koeppl, Secretary, both of the Dayton Autism Society, traveled to Columbus to take part in the 5th Annual Autism Awareness Rally. This rally, which took place on the south lawn of the Ohio Statehouse, brought together 29 different autism support organizations and 15 speakers. This rally has been organized each year by parent, Doug Krinsky, who has a child on the spectrum. It was estimated that 400-500 people attended the rally.
The most compelling testimony was delivered by Sophia Augier, mother to 3 boys on the autism spectrum. She accurately spoke of the barriers we all face as parents of autistic children, funding and services. Sophia acknowledged that she's one of the lucky ones, living in a county with a Center for Autism. "Centers for Autism should be available to everyone with autism, and the treatments they need should be available and covered by insurance", she said.
Other speakers included Ohio State Representative Jon Peterson (R-2, Delaware), parent of a child with autism; Ohio State Representative Kevin Bacon (R-21, Columbus), parent of a child with autism; State Representative Ted Celeste (D-24, Columbus); and Barb Yavorcik, Co-President of the Autism Society of Ohio, and also the parent of a child with autism.
Rally participants called for immediate legislative action to respond to the growing health crisis of autism, including the passage of House Bill 170, the Health Insurance coverage bill; a Senate companion bill of HB 170; a Medicaid waiver; and many other issues. Many participants carried signs or photos of their child, including Nancy and Shelli.
The most powerful participants were perhaps the quietest as students from Oakstone Academy, a school for both autistic students and typical students, sat quietly on the Statehouse steps holding their signs which said simply "It's okay to be different", and "Don't just stare, do something!". Students from Oakstone also spoke of their school and what a difference it has made in their lives.
To learn more about House Bill 170 or to find out how to support autism advocacy, contact the Autism Society of Ohio at www.autismohio.org or Doug Krinsky at . |
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