Moonbeam Jerry does right by children with autism...

I am Governor Jerry Brown
My aura smiles
And never frowns
Soon I will be president...

Ahhh.... Even though I'm now all "grown up", I still love the Dead Kennedys.  And having Jerry Brown as the governor of California again has caused me to pull out all the old stuff (although now I have it on CD instead of vinyl).  It was easy to make fun of him back then - after all, I was a teenager and knew everything!

But he just signed a bill forcing insurance companies to provide coverage for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, and I find myself thinking he's not such a clown after all.  Currently in California, insurers can deny coverage for developmental disabilities because they are classified as an "education" service.  This all changes next July!  Although neither of my children suffer from autism, I am ecstatic for those parents who will be helped by this.

When I first started this blog, I really delved into the world of Special Needs Parenting blogs, and a vast majority of them are by parents dealing with autism.  I had *no clue* how common this problem was (and is), despite a family member being affected by it, and it makes me sad.

I am no longer the young punk who just wanted to play his music and ignore the world - I want to make a difference.  In my life, my childrens lives, and the lives of those around me.  But although I can fight and kick and scream for change, I'm no politician.  I don't have the power they do.  And although the punk rocker inside me still dislikes "the establishment", I at least feel better knowing that at least one of them has taken a step forward to provide help for the children who need it the most.

Go Moonbeam!