In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the issue's role in presidential campaigns. In this campaign, a number of posts have discussed Trump's support for the discredited notion that vaccines cause autism. He also has a bad record on disability issues more generally.
At the Not Who We Are PAC, Alicia Bonus writes:
I am a 28 year old writer living in Pennsylvania. Early on in life, I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome (Autism) around the age of five. At age 10, I was also diagnosed with Ulcerlative Colitis (Crohns Disease). During the past decade, I have missed opportunities, due to this disease. I had to hold off practicing driving to get my license, I didn’t go to prom, and I couldn’t work during the summer. Fortunately, because of Medicare I was able to get treatment, complete my college degree, and live a full life.
As a person with Aspergers Syndrome, I was extremely offended when Donald Trump called a well-known and hard working reporter a liar, let alone mocked him in public in front of thousands and possibly millions of people. I have a disability and know what it’s like when people bring you down. I want a leader that can see what we can do to make a difference in the world. I want a leader who can take us seriously at what we do. I want a leader that believes in us all, no matter how different we may be. I don’t want Donald Trump.
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As a member of the Autism community, I invite all members to stand together against the racial, religious and other intolerance that Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric promotes. It is putting our Latino, Muslim-American, those with disabilities, and other community members directly at risk.
There is no place for this kind of discrimination in America.
As a community, we affirm the values that make us who we are: diversity, openness and compassion.
Join me in saying: Donald Trump is not who America is, and he is not who Autism is.
Why is this important?
This is important as a member of the Autism community...As a person with Aspergers Syndrome, I was extremely offended when Donald called a well-known and hard working reporter a liar, let alone mocked him in public in front of thousands and possibly millions of people. Having Aspergers, I too have a disability and know what it's like when people bring you down. Little do many people across the U.S. know that many people with disabilities and autism are being hired everyday, due to their constant routines and hard work. Most importantly, they are known to be good at what they do and are honest about it, because they want to show what they can do and are proud of it. As a person with autism and disabilities, I want people to notice me by what I can do and not what I can't do. I want a leader that can see what we can do to make a difference in the world. I want a leader who can take us seriously at what we do. I want a leader that believes in us all, no matter how different we may be. I don't want Donald Trump.
