The more I think about the HollyRod Holiday ipad giveaway the more annoyed I become... why are they putting such income limits on it ($35,000 for a single income and $50,000 for a two income family ~ that is not a lot of money in the world of special needs) and why does my SLP have to be in control of the giftcard ... so we don't qualify... that doesn't mean we can budget this tool that could make a HUGE SUBSTANTIAL difference in my child's life. Apparently, they don't understand the financial crisis in Autism Families.
Why is everything they say is essential so expensive... Biomedical case in point. It would cost me more than $500 to just get the appointment on the books for our local Bio-med doctor... for an appointment that is 12-18 months scheduled out... Yet, alone insurance won't touch the office visit, supplements, and other non-traditional therapies (the oxygen therapy intrigues me).
...Every one should be able to afford to get the care they deem necessary for their kids.
This is precisely why I offer substantial discounts to autism families with energy work... autism families cannot afford $60-$120 an hour for energy work... they can barely afford to feed their kids and pay for the co-pays for the traditional therapies... and unless you have been touched by autism there is no way you can understand this. I watch and listen... (I might burn bridges here) and I have seen countless energy workers trying to exploit this population... perhaps some are heart centered, but not all... I recently had one (a former mentor of mine) try to tell me the other day ... "she isn't autistic. She is on a spectrum, you should make an appointment with me to learn more. I could teach you a lot about 'THEM'!"
...Are you serious???
You went to one weekend course and you think you know more about the autism spectrum than I... who has lived it for the last 6 years? Do you not see the dark circles under my eyes... those are my battle wounds... I wear them with pride. I have countless hours of research at the university of google... and have witnessed countless pokes and prods on a little girl who couldn't comprehend why her mother was letting these strangers violate her space. I have hours logged in at the local lobby where I sit with other mothers (and fathers) and listen to their strategies. I spend every other minute of free time I have either in the library reading or on the world wide web talking to adults on the spectrum or other parents... I live, eat, sleep, breath Autism 24/7 !
Don't offend me!!
Nothing pushes my buttons more than seeing organizations, practitioners, doctors, pharmaceutics, authors, specialty merchandisers... (this list goes on and on!!!) ... that are trying to capitalize off of the challenges our children and adults on the spectrum have. And with the Holidays around the corner we will see more and more of this.
Okay, so maybe that was a soap box... sorry.
Posts
Well, you're wrong. We actually eat, sleep, breathe Autism 25/8!!!
ReplyDeleteIt sickens me to see people seeing autism as a vein of income for their business.I believe in capitalism as much as the next American business person, but I draw a line when it comes down to something morally distasteful. That is a personal choice because at the end of the day I have to live with me. When I have to look at that man looking back at me in the mirror everyday I want to be able to say I did right by the world. If you want to offer a service as a helping hand in the world of autism do I feel you should get paid for offering that service. Yes. Do I think you should be a disgusting parasitic ambulance chaser who is only seeing autism as a new means to generate income for your business? No. As a fellow parent shopping the services out there for infantile autism we all have to be very cautious about what is opening up out there because many are jumping on the bandwagon selling snake oil. And no I do not desire big brother to step in there and stick their nose in this as well to 'regulate' it because more often than naught they (pardon my French) fuck it up. In my eyes it is the parent who needs to step up do their research, get a referral, check out these individuals who suddenly popped up with an "Open for business" sign and want your hard earned money for help. My advice stick you nose into their business take their word for nothing and do your own research and call them on their word if you find otherwise. Guarantee you'll be happier in the end with yourself you did. In this economy I'm not surprised to see businesses trying to be the one stop shop saying they know everything about everything it is up to us to see through all of that and make the sound choices for our children.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dani... I stand corrected.. 25/8 !! And thankyou Indigo Guy for supporting me... you rock!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for shinning the light on a sad, growing trend. The App I built is FREE: iBiomed manages the Biomedical treatment of ASD kids and anyone serious about addressing their health condition biomedically. Practitioners like yourself are encouraged to register to help others or simply create a platform for potential clients to access your services.
ReplyDeletePictures: plixi.com/ibiomed
Demo Video: www.biomedprofile.com/demo.htm
Susan there is no getting away from it... you are one strong, tenacious, intelligent, articulate , empathetic, generous soul..... the ripple effects you are causing are tremendous..... Advocacy Rights & Shining the light on the struggles families with kids with special needs often experience... All the good intentions & education can only go so far... walk a mile in our shoes...... yes it is almost unconscionable that specialist, companies & services profit from our collective needs..... you stand up on your soap box as long & as often as you want... because if people are listening ... then who knows if it will help lead to some positive change...
ReplyDelete