Mother Encouraged to 'Euthanize' Autistic Son Issues Loving Response: 'People With Special Needs Are People First'
Karla Begley is the mother of a 13-year-old son with autism. She recently received a letter from "one pissed off mother" who encouraged her to euthanize her son for the betterment of the neighborhood. Begley has broken her silence and issued this letter in response.
"I will not stoop to an insulting level. What I have to say is about tolerance, acceptance and respect for kids with special needs," Begley wrote in a blog post on Love That Max. "Nobody should ever write a letter that hurtful."
"People with special needs are people first. They have every right others do. Instead of glares, I wish people would give smiles. Instead of anger toward parents, I wish people would be more understanding. Would anyone consider people with cancer a burden? Or senior citizens?" Begley asked.
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Begley suffers from secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which prevents her from walking and running with her son Max. He was outside by himself in the backyard, which apparently is what set off a neighbor who complained about his noisiness.
"You selfishly put your kid outside every day and let him be a nothing but a nuisance and a problem to everyone else with that noise polluting whaling he constantly makes!!! That noise he makes when he is outside is DREADFUL!! Crying babies, music, and even barking dogs are normal sounds in a residential neighborhood! He is NOT!" the "pissed off mother" wrote.
Brenda Millson, Max's grandmother, received the letter on August 16. She was so shocked by its contents that she shared it with CityNewsToronto; it quickly went viral and caused anger across the globe.
"Everyone has a place in the world," Begley wrote. "Some people are meant to hold big jobs. Some people make you happy and smile. Max brings pure joy and love. He has taught me to slow down and appreciate life, as seen through his eyes. Everyone who knows Max loves him. He is a blessing."
"Over the years, people have often said to us, 'God only gives you what you can handle.' But last night, I said to my husband, 'I think God finally thought the Begleys have had enough!' The community rallying around us has been amazing, the outpouring of support is awesome. It puts your faith back in humanity: Yes, people are generally good," she concluded.
