Age of Autism Awards 2008 Mother of the Year: Katie Wright

BY Mary Webster

If the true measure of a gift is determined by the sacrifice required, Katie Wright has given us the greatest of gifts.  Despite her obviously close, loving relationship with her parents, she was willing to risk a public rift to share her son's struggle with autism and her beliefs about what caused it.  Considering Bob and Suzanne Wright's tireless efforts as founders of Autism Speaks, Katie's willingness to take a public position on such a controversial issue created a situation that would have, undoubtedly, challenged the bonds of even the closest of families. 
 
Katie could have chosen to quietly seek treatment for her son, Christian, while privately working to affect change, but she didn't.  She was the first to appear on the Imus in the Morning show and wave her son's vaccine chart in the air as she chastised the medical community for not taking these children's illness and their parents' concerns seriously.  She was the first to sit on Oprah's stage and challenge a physician "expert" who stated that vaccines don't cause autism.  In telling her story, Katie is as direct, open, and honest as Dr. Tom Insel is cautious, qualifyingly calculated, and deflecting.  

 
Katie had much to lose by being so open, but she wasn't willing to lose her son without a fight.  Many people may not understand that, but those of us who've shared the struggle do.  We understand that she's not speaking out as Bob and Suzanne Wright's daughter.  She lends her voice as the mother of a very sick little boy.  Although his condition has improved, Christian is not yet recovered.  So, Katie's advocacy work is even more inspiring in light of the fact that she remains fully engaged in the very real and pressing struggle to save her son. 
 
Katie's is an articulate voice, yet she lacks the highly polished aura of someone who's been trained to perform - an endearing quality that only adds to her appeal.  Despite our initial skepticism, Katie has proven herself to be one of us - a fighter.  She's a Warrior Mom.

I hope Bob and Suzanne Wright realize how incredibly fortunate they are their grandson has such a fearless and dedicated mother.

Mary Webster is the mother of a son diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  She is a member of the board of directors of A-CHAMP and lives in Virginia.

Comments

[Jeanne]

Katie,

Congratulations! You've earned this spot for sure! Thank you for all you do. All the best to you and your family.

[Lin]

Thanks, Katie and congratulations!! You are so deserving and we are so very fortunate to have you fighting for and with us!!

Great nomination, Mary. So very well thought out and articulated. You, too, are a warrior mom for whom we are grateful!

Many, many thanks!
The Wessels

[Autismmother]

Katie,

I feel your pain, anguish and frustration every time you write. The fact that your parents have been trying to help their grandson and yet cannot control some of the people who could have really made a difference with AS must be anguishing for them as well.

I believe that in time, AS will have no choice but to right itself. AS cannot exist without acknowledgement by the group they were intended to help. That is why certain autism centers in Georgia were never recommended to patients interested in helping their chiildren get well. If they snooze they will lose.

You are one brave mom. Please keep up the good work and never give up hope. I believe our parents feel pain for not only their grandchildren, but their children as well.

[Rachel Ford]

Katie,
What an amazing example you are to the world of a mother warrior and autism/biomed activist. Thank you for all that you do! Your articles are so interesting and powerful. Keep being a voice for our children and all children!

[Mayer Eisenstein MD JD MPH]

What a great choice, kudos to Age of Autism.

This expression fits Katie so perfect.

"We arrive at the truth not by reason only,but also by the heart"
Blaise Pascal Pensees

Dr. Mayer Eisenstein

[Lorraine Harrietha]

Kudos to you Katie! You are an angel! We need more people like Katie and Jenny to educate the nayslayers! I don't have a son or daughter on the Austism Spectrum. I am definely a true believer and educational assistant who myself educates people and the parents of the children who I care for.
Lorraine from Toronto, Ontario Canada

[Jeannine Olson]

Dearest Katie,

Thank you for sharing your life and working hard on behalf of many. A million cheers for stepping forward. Clearly, your purpose is huge. Blessings to you and your family this year. Here's to recovery and always moving forward!

Jeannine

[Ben's Dad]

Congratulations and thank you for saying what needs to be said. Best wishes and prayers for your whole family.

[nhokkanen]

I'm so grateful that Katie Wright is publicly using her voice, and to such great effect due to her justifiable anger. One cannot fail to be moved by her family's experiences with the dark sides of medicine, capitalism and human nature. May she continue to use her reach to push corrupt bureaucracies into halting their hypocrisies.

[kim]

thank you katie. you have saved more children that we will ever know, just by having the courage to speak up. i know how hard it is to go against your family. we see what you do in public, but you are the one dealing with it day to day. thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

[AutismDad]

Katie,
Congratuations and thank-you for your advocacy to help our children. AOA has made an excellent choice in Katie Wright.

[Nicole]

Couldn't have picked a better choice. Thank you, Katie, for continuing to fight for our community.
Nicole

[Sue M.]

Well deserved. We all know how difficult it is to speak out in regards to the dangers of vaccinations. So, to do so in such a public way and with the complex family relationships to deal with at the same time. Wow... Impressive.

[Kelli Ann Davis]

What makes this Warrior Mother's efforts truly heroic is the fact that she has chosen to lay aside her *private nature* and instead become an outspoken and courageous advocate for Christian and thousands of other children.

It takes a certain blend of fortitude and determination to go against your own flow and for that, mega kudos to you Katie!

Kelli

[Sylvia]

Great pick! The history books will place the arrival of Katie Wright on the scene as the begining of the era when truth about vaccines and autism got the attention of the masses.

She is a true hero!

[Kristen]

Perfect choice. When I saw Katie's home movies of Christian (before and after) on Oprah it changed my life. How could anyone deny that *something* damaged that sweet boy's brain? I vowed- never again- will my children get any vaccines. Unfortunately it was too late for my youngest, he had already gotten "all his shots by 2" actually 18 months. He is now 4 and severely autistic. Thank you Katie- we will never know the number of children you have saved by speaking out and sharing Christian's story.

[Tami L]

Thanks Katie for being our childrens light in the dark....You are such a inspiration!!!

[Twyla]

Thank you so much, Katie, for all that you have done and written. Your advocacy and your work on behalf of your son are truly heroic. And I always enjoy reading your passionate accounts of struggles with your son. I wish him better health, and even recovery. May the science and medicine continue to evolve to provide better help for our children.

Thank you, AoA, for recognizing these tremendous people. It is so discouraging the extent to which prominent people ignore/deny the biomedical paradigm of autism and the problems with our vaccine program. But the work of these stellar pioneers is truly inspiring.

[K Fuller Yuba City]

Katie Wright has shown so many families that it is ok to stand up and disagree. Watching Katie on Oprah and reading her writing gives all parents strength. She isn't just taking a position against what her family has supported, she is standing up to a hurricane of oposition, and it never knocks her down. Katie's ability to articulate her position and state facts through all of the emotion is incredible. Thanks for standing up and speaking for all of us who don't have the talent. Know that many are behind you trying to add strength.

[Julie Obradovic]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Katie. You truly are a blessing.

[Andrea]

Perfect pick. Congratulations Katie. Thank you for all that you have done and what I can imagine you will continue to do.

Great piece Mary-thanks.

[Maurine Meleck]

Thank you Katie for your help and support. The autism community loves you.
Thanks Mary for writing this poignant commentary.
maurine

[Stagmom]

Katie is a true Mother Warrior. Even when it's been rending to her family, she's stuck by her son and withstood public humiliation from Autism Speaks. Katie opened the door for Jenny. What a powerful pair of Moms.

Kim

[Teresa]

Beautifully said and all so true! Thanks Katie for your determination and support. It is appreciated always.

[AnneS]

Beautifully said. Katie's honesty and her willingness to speak out are a perfect combination.

[michele i]

Congratulations Katie!! You are a great mom!!

[kathleen]

Thanks Katie for all that you do, you are truly a warrior mom!