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Degree of autism can be varied

| February 28, 2008 12:00 AM

Editor,

Disappointed doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt after reading the [Feb. 21] article on autism. Yes, some children with autism have the mentioned problems, but they all don’t.

My son Avery, who was diagnosed with autism at 20 months, is the happiest and most pleasant person I have ever met, not to mention my hero.

Yes, life with Avery can be difficult. But so what if he eats his strawberry cookies with barbeque sauce, won’t let us cut his hair, communicates with us through growls and hand gestures, and instead of sleeping at night runs laps in his room while giggling?

He is still my Avery and I love him. Avery doesn’t need to use words to talk to us — he lets us know how he feels all the same.

Autism doesn’t have to be a curse, it can be a gift. While Avery’s life may be harder for him because of his autism, he has strengths most adults lack and that is a gift. I wouldn’t change Avery for anything in the world; he is beautiful the way he is, and most importantly he accepts himself just the way he is.

Elizabeth Humble

Polson

Global warming: Human caused?

Editor,

Global warming is a verifiable fact, but whether it is human-caused is still open for debate. According to the Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC, there is no scientific evidence that humans are causing global warming.

Governor Brian Schweitzer directed the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to establish a Climate Change Advisory Committee.

The committee has completed the Montana Climate Change Action Plan. This plan and a survey can be found on this website: www.deq.state.mt.us

You have an opportunity to vote on the proposed recommendations (regulations) and incentives (money out of your pocket) for controlling the climate. Unfortunately the survey doesn’t give you the benefit of knowing the cost of each item.

This is a serious matter. The degree that this plan is implemented through legislation and state government next session will depend on your support or lack of support of the survey items. Please make your vote count by filling out the survey prior to deadline of Feb. 29.

Although you don’t have to give your name, do so to let them know that you are from Montana.

Sen. Verdell Jackson

Kalispell

No more money for GOPsters

Editor,

When they take away our right to vote, that is dictatorship, not democracy.

I have a mind of my own.

I will never give money to the Republicans again.

John Hunsucker

Polson

Appreciates hospital and doctors

Editor,

I would like to express my appreciation to the staff of St. Joseph Hospital and to Dr. Bagnell and Dr. Hardy for the excellent care I received when I was in the hospital.

We can be very proud of our hospital and our doctors.

Zina Swanson

Polson

Dinner theatre event was great

Editor:

My husband John and I want to say Kudos to Razooo’s for their great Dinner Theater event. The meal was perfect; the Port Polson Players were wonderful as always. What a fun Valentine’s Day celebration! It’s so nice to have a new, good entertainment offering in town.

Carol Cummings

Polson