Goal For The Green

The cause of Autism continues to be in the spotlight, or at least, in the center of great debate. Many still feel that autism is caused by the mercury based preservatives used in vaccines. Numerous studies have and are, still dispelling this theory, or link because Thimerosol, was removed from vaccines in 2001.  Even, still many parents are convinced otherwise, and are choosing to not vaccinate their children, in hopes of avoiding autism.

Many experts feel that autism may be caused by a wide range of many factors, including genetics and the environment.  Today, there is still NO known cause, and it is still a mystery as to what factors are key in the onset of the disorder.  Scientist’s are still saying there is no link found between Autism and vaccines.

As I have said before, environmental factors should and must be considered, as there is no such thing as a genetic epidemic.  Still, I’m left to recall in my day, there were perhaps three shots we were required to have.  Polio, Tb, and smallpox.  Now, there are over thirty shots a child is subjected to by the time they reach age 5.  Leaves me to think something is not right somewhere in this picture.  No  small wonder that some parents who have children affected by ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), feel that there is a conspiracy going on.

Here is what we know about Autism.

The odds of autism are 1 in every 150 children in the United States.  In the U.K. the odds are 1:88, or one in every 54 boys.  Another unknown, is that boys are 4 times more likely to be affected by the disorder than girls.  Yet girls, are often times more profoundly affected.

Often typically appearing before the age of 3, Autism is a lifelong non-progressive disorder.

Signs and symptoms include, language and communication deficits, including withdrawal from social contacts, lack of making eye contact, and extreme reactions to their immediate environment.

It costs approximately $3.2 million to take care of an autistic person over their lifetime.  Indirect costs for autistic individuals and their parents can range from $39,000 to $130,000 annually.  Let’s not forget that there are still many who are institutionalized.

The divorce rate of parents with autistic children is at 80%.  Sibling in the environment are under tremendous pressure to help care for their affected sibling on the spectrum.

There is cause to be encouraged, as far as cost factors involved in treating autism.  As of Friday, January 30, 2009, Democratic leaders of the House and Senate have pledged to provide expanded insurance coverage to families to help pay for the expense of diagnosis and treatment of people with autism. There is a nationwide effort that has been proposed similar Legislation in 30 states , including Connecticut. It is a much needed and helpful thing for all families dealing with ASD.

About a year ago, Kent Basson, started OddShoeFinder.com, which allows users to buy and sell their mismatched pairs of shoes. It is aimed at people such as polio survivors who must buy a different pair of shoes for each foot due to severely mismatched feet. A few months after starting the site, he was
contacted by several people about accepting large batches of new name brand single shoes.

He started the site after his sister had an injury (due largely to neuropathy from diabetes) that resulted in her having to wear two different sized shoes. He saw that her options were few unless she wanted to spend a lot of money,or go to Nordstrom.  She still lives in their hometown in Alabama, which is far from a Nordstrom.

Kent ended up with over 11,000 shoes that were otherwise heading for a landfill. “We sorted and posted all the shoes we could as mismatched pairs. Rather than buying two pairs of shoes at retail prices, users of the site can buy a pair of shoes that was headed to the landfill for $10-20/pair.”

“We also found a use for boots for which we did not find matches. Construction workers wear boots in two different brands and styles when they pour concrete so that they don’t ruin their good boots,” Kent said.

A lot of perfectly able people also need mismatched shoes.  It is far more common than ever imagined, although most people just buy the larger pair and deal with it unless the difference is extreme. People born with clubfoot are also likely to need mismatched shoes.

He has also rescued quite a few matching pairs from among the thousands, so people who don’t have the problem of mismatched feet also use the site. He has 3000 skates (inline and ice) and cleats arriving next week, so the hope is that lots of people without serious disabilities will use the site as well.

This is not only a great way to save shoes from ending up in a landfill, but also makes filling this need alot easier, and far more affordable.  What a great way to go green and save some green too!