150 Strollers in Central Park
Very creative representation of the 1 in 150 kids diagnosed with Autism. This stunt was staged in New York’s Central Park yesterday to raise awareness on Autism World Awareness Day (AWAD). I see that the 80% divorce rate stat makes an appearance in this article.
150 strollers show odds of whose kid gets devastating brain disorder
Countess/Getty150 baby strollers are displayed in Central Park to draw draw awareness on World Autism Awareness Day.
It looked like a gigantic play date, but the 150 baby strollers lined up in Central Park Thursday were there for a far more serious reason.
Advocates from Autism Speaks had gathered the strollers together for World Autism Awareness Day to illustrate that one in 150 children - mostly boys - is diagnosed with the complex brain disorder.
“It’s been a constant challenge,” said Robert Howley, 53, of Maplewood, N.J., whose 18-year-old daughter, Kathy, is autistic. “You have to face it every day. It’s something that never goes away.”
Autism Speaks co-founder Bob Wright said parents with autistic children need emotional support - and financial support because most insurance plans don’t cover treatment.
“These parents are broke and exhausted,” he said.
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act yesterday to require insurance companies to cover treatment for the disorder. The bill was originally drafted by then-Sen. Barack Obama.
Actress Holly Robinson Peete, whose 11-year-old son, Rodney, is autistic, said the disorder puts a strain on families.
“My husband and I - with an 80% divorce rate [for couples with autistic children] - had to do a lot to keep our family intact,” Peete said.
Related:
- World Autism Awareness Day Website
- Autism Treatment Acceleration Act
- Autism and Divorce - Where does the 80% number come from?
- Prresident Obama’s World Autism Awareness Day Speech 2008 - “As President, I will appoint a Federal ASD Coordinator, an “Autism Czar”
- 150 strollers
- The Autism Experience: The True Meaning of World Autism Awareness Day
Filed under: Autism Awareness, Autism around the world, Autism in the news, Divorce, Finances
Great cause but why did they have to rip off the ‘truth’ campaign? I think they did this a few years back about second hand smoke or something.