Thursday, January 22, 2009


My Mia is 14. This is her letter to President Obama.
How does it make you feel?

18 comments:

Stephen Parrish said...

It makes me feel bad.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

It should. Thank you. Autism sucks and deserves far more than the media and the medical world are willing to even breathe. Fuck them. I'm on it.

Anonymous said...

Kim,
You are such an inspiration to us Autism moms. I tell my husband how much I admire you. Thank you for educating the country.

Lee said...

Obama may never read it. But we sure did.

Thanks for sharing.

K Fuller said...

Mail a copy to the White House at once.
The new White House website is up. I have already emailed them to Pay attention to the parents.

Stephen Parrish said...

I agree with K. Mail it. With a cover letter explaining the context. You never know, he might see it.

Petra said...

It made me profoundly sad. In fact, I am crying right now. Mia is a beautiful 14 year old girl, she should be able to write her OWN thoughts (which I am sure she has), not have to follow a picture script for goodness sake (and Kim, you khow I adore your Mia, I adore all your girls).

I am probably not explaining very well this made me so sad (plus I am tired. day 6 of the flu here).

Yes, you should mail this. Fax it, email it, put it on the White house blog, whatever.

I am going to link from my blog to this.

Holly Kennedy said...

Wouldn't it be great if someone from his office actually responded?

Go get them, Kim.

Amanda said...

Well, you know if you DON'T send it, he DEFINITELY won't read it. I say send it. Post it with Mia, after all, that's the whole point of writing a letter isn't it?

BTW, great writing Mia! Looks like you're working really hard.

Charlie said...

A perfect example of something that is both profoundly sad and inspiring at the same time.

Kim, thank you for sharing. You have touched me deeply with this one.

hopefaithbelieve said...

It makes me pissed off. Very, very pissed off!

Anonymous said...

Sad. Pumpkin Pie is six and still cannot write her name. I pray that someday she will be able to, maybe by the time she's 14. At least she holds a pencil now; she wouldn't hold a paintbrush or pencil without freaking out two years ago because of all her sensory issues.

Yes, autism sucks. I wish every day my daughter did not have it.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Well, I have to add (thanks to a dear friend who always gives me a good shake) that I am VERY proud of Mia's progress. I love her the way she is - I wish her autism away for HER not for myself. I can manage anything. But what mother wouldn't want more for her child and still be human?

Anonymous said...

I've made a resolution to write Mr. Obama a letter every month...short, sweet, an actual study printed out (b/c I'm not sure what he can access via the internet as Prez). He is a smart man but he needs to really understand.
BTW - the paper pisses me off, too.

RJeff said...

I'm having a hard time articulating my feelings, Kim. I could just say "It makes me sad" but that would be far too simplistic and would not convey the deep complex emotions that are churning within my psyche at this time.

It serves to remind me what Mia must go through every day.

I think you should send the letter.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

I am sending the letter on Monday. For Mia. For myself. Thanks, everyone.

Anonymous said...

I give a lot of credit to the teachers that work hard to help our children with autism. They are with the children everyday, and are one of the main reasons there are success stories and why our children progress the way they do. If we did not have teachers that cared so much, Mia more than likely would not be at the level she is at. People may look at that letter and not think twice about it, but it being written by a child with autism, it is an amazing accomplishment. Thank god that there are people out there willing to go into a field that takes an incredible amount of patience and education.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

I agree. Let's hear it for Miss Jianine!!!! The teachers here have been wonderful. I'm impressed every day. Miss Badowski and Mrs. Peterson got Gianna ready for 6th grade - and she's in regular ed science! The teacher makes all the difference.