2009 Age of Autism Awards: Memorial for Trudy Steuernagel

We present this memorial to Trudy Steuernagel, the mother of Sky Walker. Her beating death at the hand of her severely autistic son serves as a reminder of the seriousness of autism for many families, and the lack of support often available. Sky is now living in an institution in Ohio, missing his mother, his remaining family trying their best to piece together a life for him. We've heard from some family members. They are good people who have been placed in a difficult situation. Below are some of the articles about the story during the year.

Kent State professor Trudy Steuernagel's fierce protection of her autistic son, Sky Walker, costs her life: Sheltering Sky

18 Year Old With Autism Faces Murder Charges

Mom with Autism Talks About Sky Walker Matricide Case

Portage County's Sky Walker Autism Murder Case

Comments

[Rosemary]

Trudy and Sky will never be forgotten in my heart. There is not a day that goes by, that I do not think about Sky missing his mama, swirling with more confusion and deep trauma. I think about how much he must miss his house, his videos, his bed, his routines, his school, his home. After reading Trudy's essays, I have not stopped crying, for this is my life with my son. Does anyone know how I can support this memorial or contact a family member to offer help? The horror and pain is as vast as his name...Sky. Bless his family and all who can help him and the countless families that face this unnecessary suffering each day...

[Sarah]

Jerel,

The results of my son's genetics screening came up "normal" per the Boston Childrens Hospital lab report...when I had my ultrasound I overheard the nurse tell the doctor "this baby is golden" ... what sweet words for a mother to hear. There were no indicators during my pregnancy that my child was anything but normal. We have no history of autism in my family. So imagine my shock when he regressed at age three and was dxed ASD. The only logical explanation is that he was injured postnatally.

The problem will be solved when we stop this insane practice of giving young children with immature immune systems 24 + shots.

[Darian (nickname)]

I agree with Maria. This should be more than grounds enough for a law suit! I know it won't ease the pain, but it could help the family. I have a very strong sense of justive, and if these people are not held responsible, the Trudy will have died in vain. We can not allow this story to die!

If we EVER want medical practices to improove, we have got to turn up the heat on these so called professionals, and now!

I was watching a Robin Williams Special the other night. In one part he talks about how today's doctor's have become our dealers. It was funny, but unfortuanely also a sobering fact. There are a lot of good doctors who loose out because they don't agree with treating thier paitents like lab rats!

The worse thing that ever happened to health care was when Big Pharma was allowed to buy up all these hospitals and medical practices. BIG MISTAKE!!! Look what has happened to our health care as a result! Look how our doctors are pushed to become, as Robin said, our dealers!

*another Darian rant is over*

[Gatogorra]

Jake-- when I joined that mass emailing of the Chicago Trib over Tsouderos's smear piece, I received an email back. It was the generic email that everyone else got except for one sentence at the end which was a direct response to what I wrote: Tsouderos denied that what she wrote had anything to do with the two Glaxo ads next to the online article. Touchy, touchy.

GSK's Lamictal, which is prescribed both as an anticonvulsant and antipsyhotic, is considered the sixth biggest selling antipsychotic drug on the market with profits of $1.27 billion in 2008 since it was approved for bipolar disorder. Wonder how well it would sell if the explosion of vaccine-induced seizures suddenly leveled off and stopped.

As of 2007, GSK was reported to have a new antipsychotic in the pipeline, "812". I have no idea what's happing in its development but the fact that the company is in the process is a strong indicator that it would consider alternative methods of preventing or recovering autism and other environmental cognitive injuries to be direct competition.

[Maria]

This poor mother who had no help from professionals paid to help her. Instead docs merely prescribed mind altering drugs which are known to cause aggression. Perhaps some of these docs should have been charged with her death?

Sky can be anyone's child. Our children are so vulnerable so much so that their behaviors can change quite quickly. As parents we know what our children need and how to quell disturbances. Imagine what would happen if we were not there and a stranger was left to care for our children. Imagine how quickly a child may regress. We need to change mind sets and provide greater support for us and our children for the future.

What happened to Sky is what I fear each day for my son should something happen to me. We should embrace Sky and watch over him.

[Twyla]

Jarel, your comment is quite odd. As Maggie said, "How do you do a prenatal test for a vaccine induced brain injury? That's like doing a prenatal test for who will get a broken arm in the second grade." Was your comment some kind of very bad joke, or did you mean it? Are you spiteful towards people with autistim, or are you a person with autism making some kind of satirical comment that went awry?

Darian and Roger, thank you for writing!

"Elope" can mean just running off, escaping. "To elope, most literally, merely means to run away" -- not necessarily to get married for a romantic rendevous.

Words seem so inadequate to say anything about Sky and Trudy. May Trudy rest in peace, and may Sky live in peace. Prayers and very best wishes to Sky and his family.

[Darian (nickname)]

First of all, thank you for replying Roger, I appreciate it. It's nice to go to a place and be able to talk about things without being flamed by others. I'ave had more than enough of that in my life. I don't like getting flamed because I KNOW that Asperger's is a disability, not a difference! Right brain or left brain is a difference! Intovert or Extrovert is a difference!

Having uncontrolable meltdowns, bad sensory issues, no social graces, a weak stomach, and a low immune system is not a "difference"! Nor is a rigid reliance on routine to the point that if one thing goes wrong with it, one is no longer able to fuction! That is a disability!!

Please forgive my little rant. I get worked up sometimes. Back to subject.

My words of advice to parents is when you see the signs of meltdown coming, GET OUT OF THE ROOM!! I know your first instinct is to try to bring us out of it and keep us from harming things and ourselves, but like I said before, WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL AT THIS POINT!

We can not be reasoned with, talked to, or calmed down by anyone, not intill all that steam has come out. For your own safety therefore, remember this story, and GET OUT OF THERE!!!

[just a Mother]

Trudy Steuernagel gave her time, energy, love,
support, advocacy to help her beloved son Sky.
It is the doctors,the pharmacological companies,the psychiatrist,the social workers,
the support people,the insurance companies
that failed them.This is a total system failure as they are using physical and chemical control to deal with special needs
autistic patients.Not helping them but adding adverse side effects to the existing problems.
I wish the family strengh as they continue to support Sky on this difficult journey.

[Maggie]

How do you do a prenatal test for a vaccine induced brain injury? That's like doing a prenatal test for who will get a broken arm in the second grade. I guess there really are people who believe what pharma spews or just another shill. Boring.

[mlinn]

Thank you for recognizing Trudy and Sky. There are so many of these tragic stories and I think they affect us all deeply. This is because we can unfortunately relate all to well. Even if we're working hard and our kids are on the upswing, I don't think anyone in the autism community takes it for granted. We all know we could be an exposure, an infection, a reaction away from a severe regression or worse yet a seizure, escape, or swimming pool away from tragedy. Let's hope and pray for the safety of all of our families and kids in 2010--