Speaking Truth to Power

Several bloggers in the autistic community have been in contact with Mike McCarron since the horrifying murder of his granddaughter Katie last month. Mr. McCarron has spoken out strongly against those in the media and elsewhere who have characterized Katie's death as resulting from a lack of services, or who have attributed the murder to desperation felt by parents of autistic children, or who have suggested that Katie was in pain or a burden. To show the truth—that Katie was a joyful and loving child—the McCarron family has invited those who wish to honor Katie's memory to post images of her on websites and blogs.





This is a picture of a child. Not a soulless empty shell, not a devastating tragedy, not an intolerable burden to society, not an abomination. A three-year-old child who was, in her grandfather's words, "a beautiful, precious and happy little girl. Each day she was showered with love and returned that love with hugs, kisses and laughter."

Yes, there was an abomination here, but it was not Katie's autism. It was her murder and the attempted rationalization of that murder by hate groups in the guise of autism charities.



(Image created by Aspies for Freedom)


This is what Mike McCarron has to say to the hate groups that treat autistic children as less than human and that express sympathy for their murderers:

"I can assure you that no one will describe her murder as 'understandable' or devalue her in any way without my personal challenge to them and the organizations they represent."

Mr. McCarron, there are many of us who share your outrage, and we will stand with you until the organizations that exploit and dehumanize autistic people have crumbled to dust. Until the bigotry that brought these groups into existence has ended. Until we live in a world where no child will ever be murdered for being autistic, and where no one would dream of calling such an atrocity 'understandable.'

We will stand with you to speak truth to power.

For as long as it takes.