Let's compare and contrast!

[conuly]

Some of these traits are traits of autism and some of them are traits of cancer. Let's see if you can spot the difference!

This is a disease which is marked by excessive growth, aka tumors. Answer: Cancer. Hard to tell, but the word "tumor" gives it away.

This is a neurological difference/disability which is marked by either gaze aversion or staring. Answer: Autism. People with cancer generally will look you in the eye for the appropriate amount of time.

This can develop later in life. Answer: Cancer. It should not be possible to become autistic later in life.

This can kill you. Answer: Cancer. Contrary to popular belief, autism does not snatch children, nor does it kill them.

Congratulations. You now know the difference between autism and cancer. There will be a quiz later.

Comments

[wakasplat.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, I've known a couple very vocal people who insist that autism does kill.

They look at it something like:

* If an autistic person is institutionalized and dies in there, they're dead because they're autistic. (Not because institutions suck.)

* If an autistic person walks into the street and gets hit by a car, they're dead because they're autistic. (Not because there was a car there.)

* If an autistic person doesn't report that they're in pain and dies of a disease that wasn't treated in time, they're dead because they're autistic. (Not because people weren't vigilant about looking for signs of disease in a person who can't communicate that kind of thing.)

* If an autistic person basically does anything dangerous that non-autistic people wouldn't be doing at the same age as the autistic person, they're dead because they're autistic.

And, the absolute worst:

* Autism should be re-labeled a terminal illness because it can cause your parents to murder you. (I shit you not, I've heard that from parents of autistics.)

So therefore they say that autism does kill and that those of us who are against curing autism are just ideologues who don't respect the lives of the "poor miserable LFAs".

As someone who's walked into streets, put myself in dangerous situations, failed to report potentially fatal illness, and survived attempted murder in an institution, I seriously beg to differ.

[conuly]

Pity stupidity no longer kills... *sighs*

[staircase-wit.livejournal.com]

I can sort of see where they're coming from, but if you drag out the logic far enough, it's like saying "guns don't kill people, having hands kills people... end hands before it's too late."