Macomb Daily Publishes Insurance Article

PUBLISHED: Monday, April 21, 2008
Autism advocates to rally at Capitol


Insurance reform is battle cry


By Maryanne Kocis MacLeod
Macomb Daily Staff Writer



Autism advocate and parent Debbi Ringle of Shelby Township, with her son Jesse and husband Mark, make posters to take to Tuesday's rally in Lansing.
Macomb Daily staff photos by Craig Gaffield

Parents and autism advocates from across the state on Tuesday will channel their love and frustration into a state Capitol rally that highlights the need for insurance reform.
Justin Harlan, 9, of Berkley, will be among the participants. Though he's been verbal for only four years, what he wants to say to legislators, insurance companies and parents, is worth hearing.

"Without all the speech therapy my parents paid for -- out of their own pocket -- I wouldn't be speaking at this rally," said Justin, who once spent significant time spinning in circles on the floor. "I wouldn't be speaking at all."

The event focuses on bills introduced in the House and Senate which provide insurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, up to $50,000 annually.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that impairs a person's ability to relate to and communicate with the world around them.

"Insurance companies aren't covering kids because they have autism, that's discrimination," said Justin's mom, Stephanie Harlan, director of autism connections at the Judson Center in Royal Oak, a non-profit organization committed to improving people's lives.

"We desperately need mandated coverage," she said. "My son's a living miracle, but he's not unique. Lots of kids are doing great, going on with perfectly functional lives. But early intervention is key."

Such treatment, Harlan stressed, enables autistic children to grow into independent adults, thus reducing the societal burden of providing lifetime care for them.

Over a person's life, the cost saving is estimated to be $1.6 to $2.8 million according to the Autism Society of America and a study by the London School of Economics. Insurance coverage would translate to $1.47 to $4.10 per month per policy holder.

Still in the early stages, the legislation has support in both the House and the Senate, Harlan said.

Shelby Township's Debbi Ringle will be in attendance Tuesday, and is encouraging others to be there, too.

"I know it's difficult for people to get up there; parents are working and gas mileage is a factor," Ringle said, "but this is a unique opportunity to be heard."

"Other states have passed similar bills," she added. "In Michigan, this is long overdue."

Ringle and her husband Mark learned that the youngest of their three children, Jesse, 8, was autistic shortly after buying a new home with a bulky mortgage.

Their new circumstances forced Ringle to quit her job in order to research and facilitate Jesse's treatment, which often required driving 350 miles a week.

"Because we couldn't do it on our own, I put my pride aside more often than I can say to ask for assistance," Ringle said, "from Macomb County Community Mental Health, friends, family, my church, the Kiwanis, the Ted Lindsey Foundation for Autism, The Ciccarelli Children's Hope Fund.

"I did what I had to do so my child could learn how to eat, to talk, to play, to engage in the world around him."

An online support group through the Judson Center, along with others supports and resources, helped Ringle get started and find a direction. The hard work paid off: Jesse attends mainstream classes at Monsort Elementary through Utica schools.

Ringle now helps other parents of newly diagnosed children sort through the maze of options and emotions.

"It's so overwhelming," she said. "You're a like a deer in the headlights. I sit down with them and just love on them. I tell them what conferences and meetings to attend, what groups to get in touch with, what books to read.

"I try to empower them," she said.

Since most parents aren't used to sharing their experiences with lawmakers, Carolyn Gammicchia of Shelby Township put together a package of "talking points" for attendees to reference.

"We have this opportunity to let people know what's going on and we have to take it," said Gammicchia, whose 16-year-old son Nicholas, though significantly "challenged," recently made the honor roll and won the Courage award from the Autism Society of Michigan.

"Our son has been able to come really far," she said, recalling the days when Nicholas kicked out her front teeth or pulled her hair and kicked at the car's interior when she took a different turn. "It's heartbreaking to know that other families can't afford it."

The Gammicchias have spent $150,000 out-of-pocket for their son's treatment.

"Nicholas still has trouble self-regulating, but we keep a trampoline in our living room and he just goes in there and jumps a few times and then he's OK," she said.

In addition to sensory integration therapy, Nicholas has benefited from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, B12 shots and a diet overhaul.

"This rally is our one chance to come together and share our stories," Gammicchia said of the rally.

For those who wish to attend tomorrow's event, check out http://autisminsurancemi.blogspot.com for details.

For more information, visit wwww.judsoncenter.org or call (248) 549-4339.

To reach the Autism Society of Michigan, visit www.autism-mi.org/" www.autism-mi.org/