Celebrities and Autism.........Resources for us all!

This is my uncle Robert Wright, former President of NBC Universal. Bob's grandson is autistic and Bob and aunt Suzanne Wright was caught by surprise. They had to get educated quickly. They started "Autism Speaks" a foundation full of resources. As NBC President, Bob did a special week long series where he and Suzanne came on the "Today Show" to talk about autism, MSNBC had a special, Dateline NBC had a special and also I was interviewed on CNBC the financial channel on a story which dealt with financial futures of autistic adults, jobs, rent, bank accounts, transportation etc. The week long special in 2005 was FANTASTIC. I want to see BNN in Canada do something like this. Know someone over there at BNN? Contact me please since I'm an advocate for grown autistic kids. I want them to succeed. Above is Bob and Suzanne and I at the Broadcast Foundation awards in 2003.

You remember Tisha Campbell from the sitcom "Martin" and her husband Actor Duane Martin, also a fairly big celebrity. Rumors have been swirling about their marriage being stressed out, him being gay and also their battling with their son's autism. Many have said the stress of autism is crumbling their marriage. They spoke to Essence magazine on the rumors about their divorce.

Dan Marino, a former football player and his wife Lynley Marino are very vocal in autism funding and awareness. They too have a son who is autistic. They have visited and spoke at Capitol Hill and have a foundation too for resources. One thing I love about the Marino's foundation is the swimming certification, a mystery that has baffled several experts on why autistic children are drawn to water. SEVERAL HAVE DROWNED! This is one of the focus points on my autism blog.

Doug Flutie yet another football player has a foundation for autism awareness as his son Doug Jr is autistic. Awareness is very important to Doug and helping to get information and locate resources.

Holly Robinson Peete and ok, yet another former footballer Rodney Peete has an autistic son who is also the twin of a non-autistic daughter. At one point, I used to think football had to do with autism. They started the Hollyrod Foundation for autism and Parkinson disease awareness. Rodney talks to men out there to educate them on "being a man" and helping their children and their mothers hang in there. Many mothers of autistic children are single moms today due to the stresses of autism. My son KJ's dad left because as he said, "I cannot deal with your older son's problems."

Finally, Jenny McCarthy wants you to visit Stan Kurtz's website about recovery from autism and also buy her book Louder Than Words. The People magazine is on stands now till the end of this week September 28th 2007. I am planning to share my story with Jenny and contacting her Manager because she said something on Larry King last night when Larry asked her what happens to these kids when they grow up? She replied...." I don't know, I have never seen a grown autistic person before." She needs to be prepared and read my blog!