WILL AUTISM SPEAKS LISTEN TO KATIE WRIGHT?
It’s no secret that I’m not exactly a big fan of Autism Speaks. There is someone who has a more-balanced view of that organization than I have: Katie Wright. It is, of course, ms. Wright’s son’s regression into autism that gave birth to the organization. Her parents, Bob and Suzanne Wright saw a need and created what has quickly become the 900-pound gorilla in the room. The arrogance with which the organization has run roughshod over other organizations, autistic individuals, and just about anyone that doesn’t subscribe to their views has been nothing short of shameful.
Through it all, Katie Wright has remained loyal to her parents, even after they threw her under the bus for making public pronouncements on the issue of vaccines as a potential trigger for ASD. She has always been careful to separate the role of her parents from the influence of other officers and directors of Autism Speaks. I tend to think she underestimates Bob Wright’s influence on the organization’s direction, but she is certainly in a better position to know what’s in her father’s heart.
In a new post at Age of Autism, Ms. Wright again pays tribute to her parents, while calling Autism Speaks to task for ignoring the biomedical community. It’s an articulate statement that deserves to be read. Unfortunately, it probably won’t have an impact on those who really need to understand: the leadership of Autism Speaks.
Through it all, Katie Wright has remained loyal to her parents, even after they threw her under the bus for making public pronouncements on the issue of vaccines as a potential trigger for ASD. She has always been careful to separate the role of her parents from the influence of other officers and directors of Autism Speaks. I tend to think she underestimates Bob Wright’s influence on the organization’s direction, but she is certainly in a better position to know what’s in her father’s heart.
In a new post at Age of Autism, Ms. Wright again pays tribute to her parents, while calling Autism Speaks to task for ignoring the biomedical community. It’s an articulate statement that deserves to be read. Unfortunately, it probably won’t have an impact on those who really need to understand: the leadership of Autism Speaks.
posted by Wade Rankin at 4/04/2008 11:44:00 AM
7 Comments:
I confess I was not up on the Autism Speaks message. Nice reporting, Wade.
Both Katie Wright and Autism Speaks should be shut up.
Everyone should have the opprtunity to talk about what they believe -- Katie Wright (who I happen to think pretty highly of), the leadership od Autism Speaks (who I don't think highly of at all), and even anaonymous people who are so pretentious as to call themselves "the truth."
It isn't so surprising that Katie Wright remains "loyal" to her parents even as they threw her under the bus as you say. I'm sure she wants to be careful not to be written out of the will. It all seems to be about money to these snobs.
Anonymous,
Your rudeness is exceeded only by your ignorance. Do you know Katie Wright or what's in her heart?
I'll say one thing, her mother is a bit strange. Every time I see her interviewed she talks about Christian as if he were her own son. She'll say "my Christian" and go on and on and never even mention Katie. I have read other blogs where people have also mentioned this and thought it to be very odd.
Sorry, but until they step up and start donating money to the areas that will make a difference to children, such as directly to individuals so they can access quality ABA or biomedical, they won't get much respect from many people.
As I said before, I have far more respect for Katie than I do for her parents or their organization.
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