An Important Message About RFK Jr.

Note: this blog post has been reposted from Facebook in it's entirety.

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I want to talk. I have had enough being hopeful about this issue. This administration’s promotion of RFK Jr. to health secretary. For those of you who aren’t aware let me fill you in on what he said in a recent press conference.

He disputes the widely scientific consensus that rising rates of Autism are due to better diagnostic procedure. Take the case of my father and grandfather who both have/had displayed Autistic traits, and likely, if went to a diagnosis, would be diagnosed with Autism like I am. If he presents scientific research, I’ll look at it. But until then he needs to fuck off.

He claims that Autism is a disease. That’s just false. Doctors, self advocates and families have all explained that Autism is a developmental disorder, it is just the brain developing, processing and communicating that is different from the neurological “typical” hence neurotypical. So, no, RFK you are wrong. Also, last time I checked a disease kills. And Autism doesn’t.

He goes on to explain that Autism destroys the lives of kids and families. Not true. And if you think it does, it’s because there is a misunderstanding or lack of proper support. That is what destroys families.

He lists all the things Autistics cannot do.

They can’t pay taxes. False. Earlier today I filled out two W9 forms for my speaking business.

They can’t hold a job. False. Outside of my small business, I also proudly work as a counselor at Ramah Day Camp In Nyack. I am going back for my third summer, showing that I can in fact hold down a job. Bobby, that is a job.

They will never play baseball. False. And that’s a weird claim to have. As a kid I played Baseball with glee. And count myself among the legions of happy Met’s fans.

They will never write a poem. False. And if you’d like one for proof - I have plenty, just reach out.

They will never go on a date. False. I’ve not personally

been on a date but I don’t think that will stay constant. And, I have certainly been to dinner in public and had rich conversations.

They won’t use a toilet unassisted. False. Maybe RFK you should have seen my face after seeing your ridiculous claims as I was in fact sitting on the toilet unassisted.

Autism is a spectrum, and Autistics may have difficulty in these areas. But that is due to a societal misunderstanding and lack of support.

If he spent time talking about how we don’t have enough support then I’d be thrilled with his work. Instead, he hates me. He hates that I am different from him.

My podcast is entitled B’Tzelem Elohim, named after the Jewish belief that each person is created in the image of god. This does not just attack me as an Autistic person but as a Jew. If you have condemned the radical antisemites on campus, join me and speak up against this hate.

Here is the challenge, please share with 2-3 leaders of your Jewish community about this issue and call upon them to speak up about this. I call upon my current Rabbis Ami Hersh and Craig Scheff, and my lifelong teacher Paula Mack-Drill. Thank you in advancez

To conclude, If you are a liberal, be enraged, and if you are conservative be enraged. This is bipartisan. It shouldn’t stop you from supporting Trump. It should stop you from supporting the promotion of these claims. So here’s the second challenge. Please share with one liberal and one conservative friend and ask them to speak up about this. I call upon Michael Laterza and Jay-Nine Abbate Silberberg to get us started.

Last challenge - I promise! For my connected friends. I’d like to have a meeting with our representative, Rep. Mike Lawler, about this important meeting. So if someone can get me in touch with him or another politician, preferably Republican as they are currently in the majority, thank you. It’ll go a long way.

If you are still here. Thank you. I’ll end with the photos. If you have any doubt about the message, ask yourself, what would I tell the young boy in the picture. That because he is Autistic that he will never amount to anything? That he has no future and has a disease. I heard those things growing up and had suicidal thoughts at a young age. If that was all I grew up around I would have killed myself. But I was lucky. I grew up with loving parents and community who challenged me and pushed this young boy to have some fun.