"Racism has always been pervasive and equally deep throughout the country"

Children in the dark

Dedicated family and community make a security blanket

Editor, The Times:

There are no words that can express how grateful I, my family and friends are concerning "Autism help scarce" [Times page one, Jan. 21].

Please know that you are truly making a good difference for all the families who have children with autism.

Arthur Conroy [the subject of "Autism help scarce"] is my grandson, and I have watched my daughter and her family through the past eight years, struggling, crying, working, loving, committing, rejoicing, hoping — all the emotions there are — to the extreme!

There are many good changes I have seen in Arthur since his parents, Katrina Davis and Ned Conroy, found out he was autistic. That has only happened because of the countless hours they have spent finding out all they could to help him, and others, any way they could. I know this will continue for the rest of their lives.

If I wrote here just a small amount of what I have felt and see concerning Arthur, it would take many many pages. When Arthur comes to visit us, I always get a huge hug — he knows who I am. I know he loves me, and of course I melt. This would not be happening if he did not receive all the love he gets at home, and all the classes, therapy, speech lessons, etc., etc., that Arthur's family have made possible.

My wish would be that autism awareness and support will continue. This can only happen if there is more funding for these families.

If our government can fund multibillions-and-billions of dollars for a war (which is needed), many millions on some useless surveys, etc., why can't it fund just a bit of that for the children with autism, who are our future as much as anyone else.

— Marge Weitzel (Arthur's grandma), Vancouver, Wash.

When lemons give you life

Kudos to The Seattle Times for sharing a very important, and often overlooked, aspect of the autism issue, in particular how the diagnosis and subsequent recommended treatment play out for families like Katrina Davis and Ned Conroys'.

Reporter Maureen O'Hagan accurately depicts the frustrations for families, even those with "good" insurance coverage, who meet continuing roadblocks within the medical-insurance system, as they attempt to obtain the therapy their child needs.

I was a part of the family's "lemonade stand" approach to fundraising that Ms. O'Hagan refers to. I witnessed the desperation and beauty of a community coming together to help friends in need.

My hope is Ms. O'Hagan's article provokes thought on a larger scale as to how we can ensure those with autism get access to treatment/therapy, regardless of their insurance coverage or lack thereof.

Thankfully, parents like Davis and Conroy are willing to share their story in an effort to raise awareness and promote change.

— Diane Bowe, Seattle

All the comforts of hope

I am a mother of two, both diagnosed with forms of autism.

We are among the few lucky people in the state who have some autism-related medical expenses covered. Our insurance company covers approximately 15 percent of our children's autism-related treatments.

Our family can't afford housing, but we are fortunate to be able to obtain most of our children's medically necessary expenses. We live rent-free with my mother and forgo all but the bare essentials to live day to day.

Thank you so much for your very compassionate and accurate article. Please consider keeping this important social-justice issue front and center. We are so grateful.

— Arzu Forough, legislative advocacy chair, Autism Speaks-Washington state, Kirkland

Toxic antidote

Strongly worded label warning

Bob Herbert's "Toxic layers of bigotry" [syndicated column, Jan. 23] is accurate except for his statement that racism remains alive and well in much of the country.

Actually, racism remains alive and well in all of the country, including the Pacific Northwest.

Racism has always been pervasive and equally deep throughout the country, and was never just mostly or exclusively a problem just in the South. In January 1964, Alabama Gov. George Wallace gave a speech at the University of Washington defending his policies and pointing the finger at Northern hypocrisy.

Afterward, a black student, one of the few American blacks on campus at the time, remarked in an interview that she despised the man and all he stood for, but acknowledged that he certainly had a valid point about Northern hypocrisy.

It's pathetic that figures such as "Pitchfork Ben" are honored anywhere in this country.

It's time for all the presidential candidates to speak candidly and honestly about this enduring problem.

— James Paden, Blaine

West Wing and a prayer

Celine is my co-pilot

I am in such a quandary regarding the choices of presidential candidates this year! There are so many strong points for each one and so much potential.

Then I read that a woman had the same dilemma and, being a person of faith, she prayed to God for some guidance. He told her to support Mike Huckabee ["Fresh candidates and an open field inspire new crop of voters," News, Jan. 15].

So I decided to take the same path of divine advice, and I actually heard a voice: Celine Dion, singing "My Prayer"! Now I am even more confused. Does God want me to support Celine Dion for president this year? She is not a natural-born American citizen, so she is not eligible, anyway.

If a person patterns her life and bases her convictions and principles on the example of Jesus of Nazareth, I am quite encouraged. Draw inner peace from that and then consider who will best be able to run this country and take it in the right direction, whatever that voter believes.

Don't interrupt God by asking whom to support for a political race, the winning lottery numbers or to help the Seahawks win the Superbowl. He has plenty on the agenda already. It's just beyond belief that people will take actions, claiming simply that God spoke to them.

But I was considering putting my support behind Celine, anyway. I just needed confirmation.

— David Gooding, Normandy Park