Mailbag

Thanks for support of dance event

On behalf of the board of directors and membership of the Foothill Autism Alliance Inc., I would like to thank the city of Glendale and specifically the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department for its support of the Teen Dance for the Special Needs community on June 6 (“Autistic teens get chance to dance the night away,” June 8).

All city personnel involved were exceptionally helpful and supportive. Without such help and generosity the dance would never have occurred. Unfortunately, there are very few social opportunities for teens with special needs. Our dance was filled to capacity and families had to be turned away. There is clearly a need for more events of this kind. As parents, we know that our disabled children are going to face many challenges in life. But we are heartened and grateful that they will be facing them in a community willing to help.

The Foothill Autism Alliance is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization of parents, professionals and caregivers who are dedicated to providing education, resources and support to the autism community.

For more information, visit www.foothillautism.org or call (818) 66-AUTISM.

JANE FITZPATRICK

Glendale

Editor’s note: Fitzpatrick is president of the Foothill Autism Alliance.

Attack on Dan Kimber full of hate

I know it’s hazardous, but I’m compelled to respond to one of the most vicious personal attack letters I’ve read on the Forum page, “Columnist can’t hide his own prejudices,” June 11.

This letter is an unwarranted, noxious attack on Dan Kimber’s character, because of his column in April that innocently ventured into ethnic assimilation and describing the lack of efforts to assimilate as un-American. I fundamentally agree with what Kimber said, although I probably would have used different wording, but Kimber called it as he saw it.

Edwin Davidian spouts forth such a plethora of harsh words and phrases referring to Kimber, it’s almost as if Kimber were personally responsible for the Armenian Genocide.