Letters to the Editor
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Autism: The Musical
I had the good fortune to attend a screening of this fascinating film several weeks ago, sponsored by HBO. Prior to seeing the film, I had blithely gone through life as a medical professional who didn't really have an understanding of this affliction.
Elaine changed that. I can't say I completely get it, because every case is so very individual, but the film explained more to me in under two hours than I have been able to research or experience ever since I first heard of autism, roughly 30 years ago. There isn't much written on the subject.
But I continue to question: why? Why do some kids get it and not others? It's not easy enough to be bacterial in origin so we could throw an antibiotic at it. There has been an ongoing controversy that thimerosol, a preservative used in vaccines, was the cause, but this is still merely speculation. Why does it not show itself until the child is roughly two years old? What happens to make them turn this unfortunate corner? What makes the brain suck the child inside him/herself?
The parents have my permanent admiration. This can be a marital deal-breaker, as we saw, or solidifying for the lucky few. But to have the patience and foresight it takes to manage this difficult life for the rest of one's life and beyond is something most of us can only imagine. Go parents -- you rock!