Autism Speaks Co-Founders Meet with Members of Parliament in London
On October 21, Autism Speaks Co-Founders Bob and Suzanne Wright spent the day in London meeting with key politicians and decision makers including the British Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown and opposition party leader David Cameron. The trip is part of their campaign to raise autism awareness and promote scientific research around the world.
At 10 Downing Street, the Wrights met with Sarah Brown, Maggie Darling, the British Chancellor's
At 10 Downing Street, the Wrights met with Sarah Brown, Maggie Darling, the British Chancellor's
Bob and Suzanne Wright with MP Angela Browning in front of the Houses of Parliament
wife, and Dame Stephanie Shirley, founder of Autism Speaks in the UK. Mrs. Brown reiterated her pledge to raise awareness of autism, and her desire to develop a meaningful national campaign to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2009. Mrs. Brown has been an autism advocate and recently attended the Autism Speaks UN World Focus on Autism breakfast in New York. Together with Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Darling, the Wrights reiterated their commitment and dedication in providing better funding, awareness and research for families affected by autism.
The Wrights then met with British Member of Parliament (MP) Angela Browning to discuss an Autism Bill she introduced on October 7, 2008. They discussed their mutual objective to ensure that individuals with autism have proper care, and lifetime access to supportive facilities, particularly for adults, a key component of Browning's proposed legislation. Immediately following that meeting, Baroness Pola Uddin hosted a lunch in the Houses of Parliament. The Baroness, a member of the House
From left, Bob Wright, Dame Stephanie Shirley, Baroness Uddin, Suzanne Wright and Hilary Gilfoy
of Lords, is the mother of a 30-year-old son with autism. Six other Members of Parliament also attended the working lunch, where they discussed their constituents' concerns about inadequate education and health care, and the importance of creating a global advocacy campaign for autism.
The Wrights capped off their day by meeting with Conservative Party leader David Cameron, who is the father to a son with disabilities. Cameron stressed that autism isn't a bi-partisan issue: every Member of Parliament has constituents affected by autism. On October 22, Bob Wright will speak at a lecture hosted by TreeHouse, the UK's national charity for autism education, and participate in interviews with the BBC and other media outlets.
David Cameron, left, with the Wrights in Cameron's office inside the Houses of Parliament
Click here for more coverage of the Wrights UK visit.
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