As I type this, there is a large gathering of people assembled outside in D.C.
You may have not heard, but the disability rights’ organization ADAPT has been fighting relentlessly for the FDA to ban the torture on people with disabilities.
The Judge Rotenberg Center, in the middle of it all, is notorious for its usage of electric shocks on autistics. They claim it’s for “behavior modification,” a blanket statement that lets them abuse people as they please. The regulations against them were written two YEARS ago.
The UN declared it to be torture.
The FDA has already proposed to ban it.
Those who have been subjected to the torture have described it as “being underground in hell” and a punishment “for being disabled.”
Autistic activists have fought against it.
They have cataloged and put together information.
Most of all, they speak up.
The victims speak out.
And yet, the regulations haven’t been passed.
FDA Director Scott Gottlieb will most likely never read this.
But if he did, I have this to say:
Listen.
There are autistic people and people with disabilities being literally tortured. These aren’t just little shocks of punishments (which is still wrong) – this is torturing disabled people simply because it can be done. They can’t stand up, leave a coat on, or exercise autonomy without the fear of the shocks. Not only this, but the victims are in so much pain from the inflicted abuse. This isn’t just about politics; this is a human rights violation.
You have the ability to stop this. You can end the pain, protect others from violence, and prevent the torture of future victims.
Dr. Gottlieb, you have a moral obligation as a M.D. to protect patients and their well-being. Release the regs, ban the devices, and stop the shock.
If you want to learn more about ADAPT’s efforts to fight against this violence, you can go to their website here: http://adapt.org/JRC
Likewise, if you want to donate to help support the protesters, you can help here: https://www.gofundme.com/stoptheshock
Just Keep Stimming! 