Autism unit needs awesome support
I met my wife in 2009. Lucky for me, I got her brother too; he goes by Treverini-Awesome.
Trever has autism; he has rough days but is one of the sincerest and humblest kids I know. One in 68 children in the U.S. has autism. The CDC states, "In 2005, the average medical costs for Medicaid-enrolled children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) were $10,709 per child, six times higher than those without ASD ($1,812)."
Also, "intensive behavioral interventions for children with ASD cost $60,000 per year."
Chattanooga is fortunate enough to have the Chattanooga Autism Center, which supports those with autism. The problem is the CAC relies on grants and donations from the community for existence; it also aims to open a center in North Georgia. That is Trever's dream; he spends his free time performing magic as a way to raise awareness for autism.
The citizens in the area with autism need the CAC, but in order to fully maintain itself, the CAC needs you. To do your part, make donations on the CAC's website, www.chattanoogaautismcenter.org, and follow Treverini-Awesome's Facebook page, Trever's Awesome Autism Adventure.
Cory S. Lowe, Rossville
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Fetal assault law needs sunsetting
Threatening an addicted new mom with jail time does not help improve her life, the life of her family or the public health of our communities.
Addiction is not a choice. It is not something to be judged or demonized. It is a health issue.
Enacted in 2014, the Tennessee fetal assault law does just that - it forces pregnant women and new mothers without any treatment options into jail instead of making sure they have access to treatment. It is an out of touch way of addressing the very real problem of drug use in Tennessee.
This policy is set to expire in July of this year, but a bill has been introduced that would permanently extend it. House Bill 1660 is going to be heard this week.
As someone who has worked with people who have gone through recovery, I know that scare tactics are not only ineffective but also cruel. Tennessee lawmakers should oppose the bill, let the fetal assault law sunset and push for fair policies that support the health of women and their babies.
Katie Garcia