UK's Michael Thomas on Media Treatment of the Pain of Aspergers
My Views
As a young person with Aspergers Syndrome, OCD and Bowel Disease I feel that it’s outrageous that the journalists and the wider media always seem to ignore children like myself – children who are in constant pain and suffering and experience uncertainty about, not only themselves, but also their constant, and often life threatening conditions. And yet, there is hope, there is help there is a way out – but certain journalists and the GMC are attacking the only ones who seem to be able to help, the only ones who seem to care – the Doctors. They seem intent on bringing “justice” to those that have done “wrong”, and yet they ignore the very people that need the help the most. Whatever reason is believed to be the cause of our problems, proper investigations and subsequent medical treatment should be provided. These good Doctors that are unfairly on trial were trying to research into the cause of the problem, and proper treatment; though, now it seems like this research has come to a stop.
Hundreds of new cases appear ‘out of nowhere’ every year, and the problem – the suffering – is only increasing; much like the profits of certain vaccine manufactures. And at the cost of what? The cost of lives, quality thereof; lest mention the children who don’t survive...
In my opinion, I just find it unbelievable that we live in a century where others would not only put their own interest first (money being a key - if not the only - factor) but where they would be willing to take it so far, as to cost not only thousands of lives, but also thousands more suffering without any help.
As a child who is in constant pain, I believe I can speak for all those who don’t have a voice, those who cannot communicate their pain except through constant cries of pain and suffering.
A final thought I have is that I hope, somewhere, someone will have some kind of moral judgement on this case and, hopefully they will be in a position of sufficient power, to help end this unnecessary suffering and pain.
________________________________________
Michael Thomas.
You are a hero.
Posted by: FeFe | May 22, 2009 at 05:18 AM
Sorry to hear about your pain. I hope things can get better for you.
Posted by: Jonathan | May 11, 2009 at 09:56 PM
Sorry for misattributing Elizabeth's concept to Michael in my previous comment. With so many intelligent observations by people with Aspergers, I got the authors confused. I hope we hear more from both.
Posted by: mom4truth | May 11, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Thank you for sharing this Michael! As the mother of m/f 7 year old ASD twins, my heart breaks for the children who can't express the physical pain they're in. My dd whose former dx is Aspergers, is finally able to convey most of the physical discomfort she is experiencing instead of having a tantrum or meltdown. She still has her moments but we are dealing with her physical issues and as they each are being addressed her behavior has improved remarkably now that she is more in tune with her body. Yes, she still has occaisional difficulty expressing that she's hungry or thirsty, but I have found that negative behaviors are mostly rooted in some type of physical discomfort. It only makes logical sense that negative behavior, whether it be headbanging, or tantrums are a coping mechanism in order for them to deal with not being able to express what the real problem is. We owe it to our kids to keep asking, searching and even guessing sometimes about what is hurting them and causing pain. They are not "brats" that just need some discipline, as some folks would suggest.
Thanks again for sharing this with us. The more we talk about this, the more everyone (doctors and parents) will realize that just because a child has autism it doesn't mean they should have to live with untreated painful physical conditions their entire lives.
Posted by: Mama Bear | May 11, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Thank you Michael for speaking out for the children who are in constant pain, but don't have a voice to speak for themselves.
A child who head bangs, bites themselves, hangs over a toilet or an arm of a chair to put pressure on their abdomens are clearly in pain.
So many times people want to minimize the pain and discomfort our non verbal children are in because "they" don't have those problems and they have "autism". It's wonderful to hear from someone who can relate what it feels like to have constant pain. I'm sorry you have to experience the pain, but it's gratifying to hear you speak of it to help those who can't convey what they are experiencing.
It is a damn shame that the doctors trying to help people like yourself are now not able to move forward with their work and research and more are left to suffer in pain. I guess it's more important to persecute them then help those in pain. How sad is that?
Posted by: Andrea | May 10, 2009 at 06:47 PM
Michael,
I'm so sorry about the pain you've endured. Thank you for speaking out. Your concept of not expecting every child to battle every disease makes so much sense.
I wish you well. You're a brave young man.
Posted by: mom4truth | May 09, 2009 at 02:41 AM
I agree. I think I would have still had Asperger's syndrome anyway but not been in this pain if it wasn't for my measles vaccination. My mother was definitely autistic but she never hurt like I did. i can remember as a little kid laying down on an arm chair belly down trying to stop the pain in my gut. it is on fire now again every since I made the mistake of deworming myself. Bill Gates doesn't hurt. Einstein didn't hurt. Bill Murray doesn't hurt. it is the measles virus doing this to us. Measles might have been what did in our Neanderthal ancestors. (google the Neanderthal theory of autism). I have however heard of people who became autistic from the disease not just the shot.We need to get rid of all live virus vaccines and green vaccines as much as possible and not expect every generation to fight every disease. We should pick out a handful of diseases, go after them aggressively until they are eliminated as small pox is. Then the next generation can do 6 more. And anyone with a history or family history of immune system problems should be exempt and just kept away from the public during epidemics. Too many kids just can't take that many assaults to their immune system and it gets confused and turns on us.
Posted by: Elizabeth Hensley | May 08, 2009 at 11:10 PM
I just wanted to say that if anyone is an autism hero it is Michael. His courage is great as is suffering. May it for ever be on the conscience of the New Labour government, the GMC and the Department of Health.
Posted by: John Stone | May 08, 2009 at 10:49 AM