Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Big Think: Celebrities Against Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month - an especially meaningful matter to a number of Hollywood's best-known names, whose children are affected by the neuro-developmental disorder that causes communication difficulties and problems with social interactions. It's a disorder that, clearly, hits families anonymous and famous, of modest means and enormous wealth alike.
For stars the likes of Joe Mantegna, Gary Cole and Aidan Quinn, autism is a fact of daily life. Like parents of autistic children everywhere, their responses to that fact are varied, and passionate.

A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASA estimates that 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, costing the U.S. at least $35 billion annually.
The time to respond is now.

Actress Jenny McCarthy has opened up about her four-year old son Evan's autism after revealing she's planning to release a new book all about dealing with the developmental disability.

She says, "I want our children to start each day in silent meditation. I want organic cafeterias, outdoor class sessions... I want it all."

She tells In Touch magazine, "It's a heartbreaking story about a serious health issue."

[source] thank you, kelly!!!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

thank you so much dino, i am eternally in your debt...i guess i owe you a day of nascar and embossing...:)