Raising Autism Awareness

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

August XXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

As a person afflicted with high functioning autism or aspergers syndrome, I was horrified to hear of the letter written to the family of the boy with low functioning autism. In this letter, the boy was called retarded & made fun of IV his squeals & sounds, of which he has no control over, but show his happiness & that he has some cognitive function. Many low functioning autistic kids like Jaden Lake, son of MP Mike Lake are very intelligent & just communicate differently. Being that I am also on the autism spectrum, I am beyond horrified that the writer would tell the family to have their kid euthanized, especially when he has so much to share. Mike Lake was on 630 Ched's new 9am-12pm show, "Tencer & Grose" & the "630 Ched Morning News" chatting about his boy & this terrible situation in Ontario.

Good Job Mike,

Rory Source: Myself.