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Lisa: This is our son Logan, it's been a long road with us also, just getting Logan diagnosed.  It took me three years to find a doctor who would, would diagnose him.  We've been denied physical therapy, speech therapy, he's nine years old and does not speak and insurance companies will not cover speech therapy for him.  We've also done some of the techniques that Shelby had done that also weren't covered by insurance companies that helped him tremendously.  We can qualify for no type of aid for him at all.  But he… everyday is a struggle with him but he…he… we want him (holding back tears)
 
James: You can do it.
 
Lisa: … we just want him to have the same opportunities that everybody else has, and for him to be able to take care of himself but without being able to receive the help that he needs, he won't be able to.  So we're just helping, hoping for everybody to be able to realize the discrimination that happens with autism. 
 
James: I'd like to add just something that I stand here proud of our State Representatives that have taken this fight for us because you're a voice for us.  My father is also a State Representative, John Espinoza from the 83rd District and he's welcomed Logan into our lives, he's family.  But I just wanted to let the State of Michigan know how proud I am of these representatives here today because you're our voice.  And I'm proud of the State of Michigan and right now we're getting at the age limit for Logan at 9 that each year that goes by it's harder for us to help him with his, with this situation of autism.  The earlier than you catch autism, the better it is for our children and it's a shame right now that we've got people making decisions on quality of life and I know these decisions are hard to be made but when it impacts you personally, it's that much more heartfelt but you can see Logan, you can see Shelby, and I don't know these children right here but, it's crucial in this fight that we catch them early.  We're starting to understand and starting to come to come to realization for Logan it may be past that point, but we're willing to fight for all of the other children that are coming up that are one year old and the earlier the diagnosis so we're willing to champion that fight.  But I just want to send the message now loud and clear that thank you, you know, for your..your.. thank you.