Boy Doomed to Institution Now Yearns to be President
As we posted earlier this week in Teri Arranga's article Cherry Picking Science, the Chicago Tribune reporter met and spoke with both Mark Macluskie and his mother, Cynthia, at the Autism One 2009 Conference. The reporter had no interest in meeting a recovered child, one for whom a previous prognosis of institutionalization had been rendered. The Chicago Tribune condemns biomedical treatments such as those that help children like Mark recover and have a better chance for a healthier, safer, happier life. Now Mark has dreams of becoming the president and wanting to help children diagnosed with autism as his mission in office. Biomedical treatments are restoring the dream that any little boy or girl can grow up to be president.
What dreams is the Chicago Tribune restoring?
We are posting below Mark's creative writing paper for school on what he would do if he were president for a day.
The Day I Became President
By Mark Macluskie
The day I became President . . . I should probably tell you about that day. So, I will. It all happened. It all happened one night when I was reading my book. I got up and got a glass of water, when I saw on the kitchen table the Sunday newspaper. It had an ad in it that said a there was a video game contest and the grand prize was a day as the President. In the next week, I sent in my masterpiece. Three weeks later I got a reply. It said “Dear Mark, you have won the grand prize: A free trip to Washington, D.C. and a day as President.” Oh my goodness!!!! I could not believe what I was reading. It said we were supposed to go in two days. This was awesome.
My parents and I just got off the plane, and I could not believe that I was in Washington, D.C. When we were walking towards the exit, we saw a tall man with a black suit on holding a sign with my name on it. The man said, “Are you Mark Macluskie?” I said “yes.” When we got to where he was taking us we found a huge limousine. There was a cooler with plenty of root beer. I have never been so excited in my life. When we got there, the first thing I did was get out of the limo and look at the White House. It was too beautiful to explain. I had the man unlock the gate. I ran to the White House and went in. "Wow!" I said when I got in. I had the maid bring in my bags. "This is the good life," I thought.
I went to my office upstairs. “Wow,” I said. A voice behind me said, “Amazing isn’t it?” I turned around and before my eyes was President Obama! “Wow, this day could not get any better?” I said.” It just might!” said Obama. “This is Karl, AKA I will beat you up if you threaten the President - Your personal bodyguard for the day,” said the President. “Ah! Good one,” I said “Well time for you to take over,” said President Obama. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Wow! This is so cool! I wonder what we should do first. I should probably take this chance to put Ava’s Law into action. Hmmm. I decided to write my Bill. Ava’s Law will make insurance companies cover autism treatment. I made sure to put in the details like ABA therapy, speech and occupational therapy. I also made sure that it covered biomedical treatments like M-B-12 shots. I went to the Senate and proposed my bill. I told my story about how I had autism and recovered and how I think that other children with autism deserve a chance, too. This bill will give children with autism a chance at recovery.
A few hours later, the Senate and the House passed my bill! I couldn’t believe it! I finally did it. When I got back to the White House, it was almost 10 o’clock, and I went to bed satisfied. When I woke up, I got dressed and went out and had breakfast. Overall, I think I did a pretty good job as President. Five minutes and I was going to resign and shake hands with Obama. I finished my breakfast and went up. I walked up and shook hands. “You did a great job, son,” said President Obama. "Thanks, I will see you sometime,” I said. When I got home I kind of missed the White House, but beggars can’t be choosers.
You've got my vote Mark!
Posted by: Casey | November 28, 2009 at 10:02 PM
What a beautiful, awe-inspiring post. Thanks, AOA and thank you so much to Mark and his family. Mark-- you're an AMAZING writer which pretty much confirms my suspicion that it's often exceptionally bright kids who are the most vulnerable to excessive vaccination.
Of course Tsouderos didn't want to meet Mark. No one wants to meet the walking contradictions to their rationales.
Posted by: Gatogorra | November 27, 2009 at 09:59 PM
WOW! I hope President Obama gets a chance to read this..ie I hope Mark and his mom, Cynthia, will send him an email and a fax of this post here on AoA.
Mark, you are one bright and shining star!
I love it!
Posted by: Teresa Conrick | November 27, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Perhaps the reporter was scared for their job?
Has anyone "followed the money" on the Chicago Trib? Who are the owners, is it a corporation, what is the source of their major revenue?
Money and greed will trump human suffering unless we expose the truth.
"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." - Winston Churchill
Posted by: Garth | November 27, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Christy--this is great site. This mom gives a well documented account of her son's recovery.
I would take wheat entirely out of your step-daughter's diet and see what happens. Remember lots of things have wheat as an ingredient, so read the labels.
http://www.recoveredfromautism.com/ourstory.htm
Posted by: C. Estes | November 27, 2009 at 01:25 AM
Thanks Mark, for reminding me that this country will be a better place because of people like you. You embody the Kennedy spirit, "the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Posted by: michael framson | November 27, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Wow! What a bright, well-spoken boy Mark is. I wonder if he could be persuaded to write a little bit about what he remembers about life before his recovery. I've read a lot of things written by those with Asperger's, but they've only really known one perspective. I have a new 13-year-old stepdaughter who is severely affected and nonverbal and I want so badly to know what she is thinking about and, for example, why she seems to be terrified of our mailbox.
We're still keeping hope that one day she'll be able to tell us, but until then, I would be so, so interested in reading first-hand accounts from recovered kids. We are so grateful for these families who share their hopeful stories.
Posted by: Christy | November 26, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Thanks Mark. You are a blessing. Maybe Ben can be your Press Secretary:)
The First Thanksgiving
By Ben Masclans
If you were at the first Thanksgiving you would see birds flying south, Indians hunting and fishing and colorful leaves blowing in the wind.
If you were at the first Thanksgiving you would hear the rustle of leaves, Indians cheering, the annoying bang of guns firing, and sizzling duck on the fire.
If you were at the first Thanksgiving you would feel the embrace of a warm fire, tender meat and the cool air of autumn.
If you were at the first Thanksgiving you would smell duck, the pleasant smell of autumn air, the strong smell of gun smoke, and delicious stuffing.
If you were at the first Thanksgiving you would taste turkey, duck, goose, lobster, eel, deer, fish, pumpkin, corn, cornbread, nuts and berries.
The taste of all this food would make your taste buds fly.
Posted by: Holly M. | November 26, 2009 at 09:50 AM
What a great and inspiring story! Way to go, Mark!
Posted by: deb in il | November 26, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Thank you Kim for posting this on Thanksgiving Day! I am thankful that I read this first on Thanksgiving morning. There is so much hope and possibility for our kids thanks to biomed and the Age of Autism community. Godspeed, Mark! If your name is ever on the ballot, I will surely vote for you.
Posted by: Mary | November 26, 2009 at 06:52 AM