I continued my email campaign to government officials requesting a response to the new CDC report of the rising autism rates in America. Their previous report stated 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism. That shocked us, but the newest rates, 1 in 110 not only shocked us but also scared us. We want answers, not only to how they feel about it, but also what they intend to do about it.
Last time I sent out emails, it was to Governors and Senators. This time, I only emailed Senators. I will get back to Governors when I have emailed all of the U.S. Senators. I also intend to email Congressmen and all other government officials until I am satisfied that they are listening and reacting.
If you want to see a copy of the email I am sending, you can read it on my original post. You can also see who I sent my first round of emails to. Here is a list of the Senators I just emailed and am awaiting responses:
Baucus, Max – (D – MT)
Bayh, Evan – (D – IN)
Begich, Mark – (D – AK)
Bennet, Michael F. – (D – CO)
Bennett, Robert F. – (R – UT)
Bingaman, Jeff – (D – NM)
Bond, Christopher S. – (R – MO)
Brown, Sherrod – (D – OH)
Brownback, Sam – (R – KS)
Bunning, Jim – (R – KY)
Burris, Roland W. – (D – IL)
Jon Gilbert, with Same Child, Different Day, has requested to join me in my cause and I will report on his progress as he updates me. If you would like to use my email letter to request information from your government representatives, feel free to do so. I would appreciate it if you would keep me updated on any responses you receive so that I can write about them on my site.
This is an extremely important issue. It deserves a response from our elected officials. We may not be big contributors to their campaigns, but we are American citizens and we do elect them to serve us. If they can not respond to our requests for action, then we will find someone to elect in their place next time we are voting. Our children deserve their help now and in the future. The CDC acknowledges the rising autism rates as a major health concern in the U.S. With so many children being diagnosed with autism now, what will happen when they are adults? Will there be a system in place to assure their proper care? Will they be lost in a system that doesn’t understand them?
We also need our children to receive more help now. If they can’t provide the help and support we need for our children now, I don’t see how they can help them when they are adults. Action is needed now. It is time that empty promises are replaced with practical solutions. I will not stop making my voice heard. I will not stop calling for our elected officials to acknowledge the autism community and start helping us. I am a mom and I can roar.
