ASAN's Elesia Ashkenazy Interviewed

ASAN's Elesia Ashkenazy interviewed by KOIN following the protests over Autism Speaks' new "I Am Autism" video.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ASAN
• Elesia Ashkenazy
• I Am Autism
• Autism Speaks

[MisterZonkerHarris]

Sorry Socrates, got to Zap the Montana Crazy. Can't stand the sound of banjos..

[shamiraash30]

ASAN's protest was against Autism Speaks only, and NOT against any Portlanders who participated in the walk. ASAN has utmost respect for the children, families, and friends who participated in the Autism Speaks' Walk. Autism Speaks is misinforming and exploiting the very families they claim to help--even in Portland. Take a look at their 2008 990 Tax Form. Only 4% of Autism Speaks' operating budget goes back to services and supports for families and individuals. $600,000 top executive salaries!

[cocoabeanbrunetti]

Autism is not a disease or sould it be treated as such.We have rights and are human beings.Autism is a spectrum and just like everyone else,no one is alike.

[AnastassiaCMF]

Why deos that reporter woman put so much emphasis on HAS AUTISM when she says it... nver mind that she doesn't say "is autistic" instead which woulda been better...

[megaPOP3000]

@MrSamMaloney okay

[MrSamMaloney]

@megaPOP3000 tell her I say thank you

[hoffythisyall]

Right on Elesia!! I'm the father of a 6-year old ASD boy, and all the best advice I've ever heard for him has come from older autistic people - and definitely NOT from the self-serving Autism Speaks. I don't need to "cure" or "defeat" my son - I need to celebrate him and his strengths while helping him with his issues in this world - you know, kind of like you do with any child. Lest anyone forget, they used to try to "cure" homosexuality too!!

[aspyrichy]

Way to go, Elesia! I'm adding this vid to my favorites. People don't grow out of autism!

[Go21Veg]

@ CrustyOldRusty - That's perfect. "If you're not offended, you're not autistic." It's so true! Autism Speaks seems to have this idea that there is a normal person trapped "behind" the autism. They don't get that autism is a part of who we are. Nothing about us without us!

[megaPOP3000]

I KNOW Elesia Ashkenazy

[CrustyOldRusty]

If you're not offended, you're not autistic. Good job Elesia, with a fair and eloquent summary/defense against the exploitive Goliath.

[nagaempress]

And I bet that neither of the fathers has Autism. And I see that they are talking to parents of Autistics...So its the NT's that are freaked by this. I say this if you "cure me" you kill what makes me, me.