In his first news conference as Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said about children diagnosed with autism, "these are kids who will never pay taxes. They'll never hold a job. They'll never play baseball. They'll never write a poem. They'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted."
These remarks do not sit well with Sheletta Brundidge.
“He just told a whole group of people they are worthless and during Autism Awareness Month,” Brundidge said.
Brundidge is a lot of things. She runs a multimillion dollar media company with a dozen people who work for her. She is a taxpayer, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, a WCCO Radio host, podcaster, author, Black activist and mother.
Brundidge is also autistic.
Like three of her four children, Brundidge is on the spectrum. She was compelled to get tested recently. “I realized something was wrong when I watched the Yacht Rock documentary on HBO Max every night for an entire month,” Brundidge explained.
To celebrate her autism diagnosis and other hard-working, tax-paying autistic adults, Brundidge is joining forces with Fraser to host a free happy hour on Wednesday, April 23, at The Depot in Minneapolis. Fraser is the oldest and largest autism, mental health and disability provider in Minnesota.
“We hear and see so many success stories of adults with autism who own their businesses, sing on stage, are married or living independent lives as productive members of our society,” said Mary Arneson, director of marketing at Fraser.
The happy hour on April 23, will celebrate the successes of adults on the spectrum, and parents of children on the spectrum, despite the false characterizations coming out of Washington.
“It’s statements like this that make people not want to get tested or get their children tested,” Brundidge said. “Without that diagnosis, the insurance won't pay for the therapies and prescriptions that help people on the spectrum have a better quality of life.”
Brundidge and the team at Fraser are hoping their happy hour event, which RFK Jr. is invited to attend, will remind the public that an autism diagnosis does not come with limits.
“I’m a living witness that this is not true,” said Brundidge.
The Happy Hour for Adults with Autism is Wednesday, April 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Renaissance Minneapolis, The Depot, Hiawatha 1 and 2, 225 South 3rd Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis.
The event is free for participants, but an RSVP is requested. Register online here.