My Letter to the President

(This is word for word an actual letter being sent to the White House as you are reading this.)


To: President Obama

Subject: Health care, Employment and Autism


Dear Mr. President,

I've never written to any president, but, I felt it was time to break the cycle. My name is Michael Buckholtz. Not that it matters, but, you can Google my name to find out all you need to know about me and my mission. However, what I'm about to tell you needed a more personal touch; something a typed letter can't express. You see, I have autism. I have Asperger's Syndrome and OCD. I was diagnosed late in life. On the autism spectrum, I'm considered high-functioning. I, like many autistic people, have health issues consistent with those of other autistic people. (I said that twice and I shouldn't have.) Before the diagnosis, I, simply, deeply felt I was different thinking person. When everything appeared to be so black and white, in terms of what is logical and reasonable, it was though I was a stranger living among a world full of people who lie... a lot. I hate the sound of bad language... foul and obscene words. I felt this way ever since I was born. Okay. That's a bit dramatic. How about ever since I can remember. My Mom recounts raising four autistic children, three boys, one girl and how we never seemed to connect to her or our father until she introduced music into our lives.

I gave you that bit of background to tell you this: With the right environment, no matter what the age of a person on the autism spectrum, we can learn anything. The problem that seems to be happening now, Mr. President, is that there is a growing cottage industry of faux remedies and proposed cures for families coping with raising an autistic loved one. This has been happening because there is a sense that raising an autistic child is life consuming and the parent(s) just don't want the headache. If there's a quick fix out there, they will take it. There is no cure or quick fix. Me, my brothers, father and nephew are proof of that. I started a non-profit (from my own personal finances) to give some temporary financial assistance to families in this situation, but, it goes much deeper than that, Mr. President. The language used by medical professionals, educators, media personalities often sends the message that autistic people are unstable and disruptive when all we are simply doing is echoing or mimicking our surroundings. This toxic tone sends the wrong message to the general public forcing many of us on the spectrum to remain hidden; living in the shadows as high-powered CEO's, surgens, multi-talented musicians, the list goes on. I've deceded I have nothing to lose. Having been born black in America, nothing ever comes easy. I was determined to become a record producer ever since I left home at 18 years old. I accomplished that goal in spades! I joined the military first (yes, I'm a VET, too!) and that proved to be the decision allowing me to follow through on my goal.

As you clearly know, times are tough for all and I appreciate you're someone who's not THAT far removed from the experience. Times are tough for me even though I decided to start a non-profit to help others in need. I dont care to be a millionaire, but, if I had millions, I already know what I would do with it. That's why I wrote a book about my journey as an autistic boy who became an autistic man living life as straight forward as I knew how, eventually becoming a record producer and songwriter. My intention is to use this platform to encourage and inspire the general public (and even YOU!) to recognize that some really smart Asperger people may actually be running or have created important whole industries because of our fearless resolve to do something different. I also realize there are those who are autistic, but, require more intense attention due to additional health issues like seizures, being non-vocal, etc. All of these things add more stress to the lives of parents and other family members when all one hears is how difficult and horrible life will be now that you're raising an autistic child.

Others do not mind doing what is needed to raise an autistic loved one, but, are faced with questions, 'What about when they are older and out on their own?' 'What if something happens to me and I'm not here to help them anymore?' This is the reality even of my family now. I worry most about my older brother and nephew. My goal is to sell, at least, 250,000 copies of my story "Autism Is My Universe". This will allow me to stabilize my non-profit, help my older brother and provide an environment for my nephew that is conducive to learning. They all need a great deal of attention and the only way I know how I'm going to achieve this is though my book and mostly music. I was always told to study hard and do lots of research. My Dad told me that. If I had a question, he'd say, "Look it up! You think I have these encyclopedias around here for nothing?" I LIVED in those encyclopedias! Dictionaries, too! I knew that whatever I did, I had to educate myself.

I have much more to say, but, this letter would be too long (it's already too long NOW!). I'd like to finish by saying this: The needs of many autistic people (children and adults) is not about how many pills we take, it's about the skills we're taught. We want to work and become independent. Far too often, even as children, we are brushed off as being mentally ill, so, the mindset of many parents and educators is that we need to stay drugged or "contained". We are, essentially, discriminated against and potentially robbed of the opportunity to live the American dream: A happy, peaceful and content life doing what we love because we were allowed to develp the skills to achieve. Even though, Mr. President, there is at least one multi-million dollar organization claiming to be helping the Autistic Community, they've missed two very important opportunities of real focus for us. One is education. Many of us simply learn differently from the conventional way education is conducted in the current public school systems. Some college benefited me greatly, but, many who are autistic will never get that chance because of the stubborn mindset that we're difficult to teach. The second thing is gainful employment of the autistic. Our brains are wired in a way that allows many of us to hyper focus. With the right kinds of skill sets, we are perfect for technology quality control, intense accounting and many other jobs that require precision. These jobs actually might be mundane to others, but, provide routine and stability in our live as autistic thinkers. If we are given the opportunity to be educated by understanding, informed and dedicated educators (and parents), taught the necessary skill sets to find gainful employment, then health care will not be a major issue for both parents of autistic children or autistic adults, like me. We need to change the way we educate, Mr. President. The conventional methods do not work for many autistic children or adults. Employers also need to understand that autistic folks (like me) want to succeed. If given the opportunity, we can then afford our own health care. Thinking we're ill and sticking us in minimum wage, below poverty jobs is the quickest way to kill us. I know that sounds harsh, but, in many cases, it's true.

Mr. President, I need for you to really pay attention to this issue. Millions are affected by this and our numbers are growing. We are confused by the multi-millions of dollars going to non-profits that claim to help us, but, they are living the life of 'private planes' and near million dollar annual salaries. I've seen enough. The assistance is not getting to our poor and impoverished autistic loved ones. Only the wealthy seem to be benefiting. No more. I'm one autistic voice, but I will not stop until I am fully heard. My non-profit, giving direct assistance to the autistic and their families, will prevail. Thank you for listening, Mr. President.


Respectfully,

Michael Buckholtz/Founder
Aid for Autistic Children Foundation, Inc.