Vernon Corea 1927 - 2002

Here is CNN's Max Foster interview with Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK marking the first ever United Nations World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April 2008:

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/04/02/intv.austism.corea.cnn

The UK Autism Foundation has called for action on Poverty and Autism on United Nations World Autism Awareness Day scheduled to be held on 2nd April 2009.

World Autism Awareness Day was launched for the first time on 2nd April 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on the recommendation of the State of Qatar.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a message to mark UN World Autism Awareness Day 2008, paid tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, who strive every day “to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope.”

In his message marking the Day, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, stressed the need to build enabling environments for children with disabilities so they can prosper as future members of their communities, citizens of their countries and as fully-fledged members of the global community.

“Let us empower them and respond to their needs today, so as to make our societies more accessible, enabling and empowering for all our children tomorrow,” he stated.

The Secretary-General noted that throughout its history, the UN has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities.

“It is especially fitting that this inaugural Day falls in 2008 -- the year in which we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights, and expect to see the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the General Assembly in 2006,” he added.

The UK Autism Foundation is appealing to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN General Assembly to take action on Poverty and Autism. The credit crunch and the the deepening global economic recession has placed huge pressure on families and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. There are many more families below the poverty line. Many have to decide between heating and eating.

In the United Kingdom 42 parliamentarians of all parties have signed David Drew MP's early day motion 710 on Autism Sunday, calling for greater financial support for people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome and for an end to re-possessions of homes belonging to families with autism.

Ivan Corea said: 'The United Nations Secretary General and the UN General Assembly must address the needs of the poor on United Nations World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April 2009. The global economic recession has brought enormous pressures onto families and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Many still suffer without proper public services. Now some have to decide between heating and eating as they face Fuel Poverty. They need help in 2009 to face the economic crisis. We appeal to the United Nations to take real action on WAAD.'

The leaders of G20 countries meet in London on UN World Autism Awareness Day. President Barack Obama is also due in London to attend the G20 Conference. It affords an opportunity for G20 leaders to reach out to families with autism below the poverty line on WAAD.The UK Autism Foundation has urged G20 leaders to help the poor.

Vernon Corea supported the Autism Awareness Campaign UK.

Proposals intended to improve support for people with autism have been debated in Parliament, with families affected by the disability hoping the plans could eventually transform their lives.

To read Stephen Robb's feature on BBC News please see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7913873.stm

Here is the song for Autism, 'Open Every Door' released as a film on YouTube. The song is sung by the Asian superstar Gresha Schuilling and written by singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis. 'Open Every Door' is released through Media Eye Music in London.

The song was written about Vernon Corea's grandson, Charin. Radio stations around the world including many BBC and independent radio stations in the UK played 'Open Every Door' on Autism Sunday 2009 on 8th February.

Autism Sunday 2009 - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome was observed on 8th February by Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations all over the world. People remembered over 60 million people with autism around the world in prayer. Autism Sunday was also used to lobby and campaign on the serious issues surrounding autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Vernon Corea wrote prayers for autism in 2002 Autism Awareness Year in the United Kingdom. These prayers were used in many churches around the world. Vernon Corea's grandson has autism - he had a deep and abiding love for his grandson.

Vernon Corea (1927 - 2002) was a pioneering broadcaster with Radio Ceylon/SLBC and the BBC. He was the BBC's Ethnic Minorities Advisor in the late 1970s-1980s. His grandson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the United Kingdom. Vernon Corea fully supported the Autism Awareness Campaign.

He was present at the first ever service for autism at St.Paul's Cathedral in London in 2002 Autism Awareness Year. He was also a Lay Reader at Emmanuel Church in Wimbledon, South West London and at Christ Church Gipsy Hill in South East London. Vernon Corea was a frequent guest on 'Thought For the Day' on BBC Radio 2.

He wrote these prayers remembering people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome all over the world.

Autism is on the rise in the United Kingdom and across the world, it is now a serious health and education issue facing our nation.

A Prayer for the Autistic Community

Gracious Father,
Thank you for giving us your Son
To teach us and forgive us.
He suffered and died for us,
And while he was on this earth
He healed the sick
And touched the lives
Of everyone.

We now commit the lives
Of all autistic people in our nation
Into Your loving care.
We ask you to lay Your hands on them
And give them Your peace.
Give them the power of the Holy Spirit
To make them whole.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

From a Child -

Jesus,
Thank you
That you are there for me
There are many things I'd like to do better-
Like speaking and writing.
I ask you to help me.
You have already helped me in many ways.
Sometimes I see the world in pictures -
I like to draw, to watch TV.
I like to do many more things,
Which I can't do.
So please lay your hands on me
And bless me.
Be with me Lord Jesus
At home and in school.

Thank you for my parents, my family,
My teachers and support workers
And all those who are helping me.
Thank you Jesus, Amen.