Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 OK, it's the holidays and despite what some folks may believe, I'm truly a softy at heart. Too much in so many ways. I'm going to tell you the kind of story that will likely sicken you to your core if you have any humanity left inside. It's also the kind of story we all likely go to WDW to escape from. But it's also an opportunity. The opportunity to change a child'd life that has been indelibly scarred and make it a bit better. It's the story of a 14-year-old, highly functional autistic boy who was stabbed in both eyes by his aunt Nov. 30. His grandmother, whom he lived with waited over 10 hours to phone for help. You probably should have read about it, but it didn't get wide play outside of South Florida because well ... the media picks and chooses what stories it decides to tell and how. Anyone who watches FOX News knows this. But what's important is this boy, who lived with his aunt and grandmother because his parents -- both ride operators at WDW couldn't afford him (I could start ranting about how little WDW pays or cares for its CMs, but I won't) -- will be placed back in their custody because he has nowhere else to go. This child has no connection to me. Other than his story touched me. Other than the fact that an acquintance of my mother's was his occupational therapist. But I'm posting his story below and I'm posting a way you can give something to help this boy. C'mon, we do have a lot of loaded Republicans here that like to talk about compassion and God and family values, now's a chance for you all -- and everyone else -- to put some of your WDW trip planning money where your mouths are and help someone in need. You really don't need to stay in O-Town for 10 days next year when nine will be fine. Oh, yeah, and maybe, just maybe, since we all know TWDC doesn't read any posts here (let alone mine), perhaps the company might be guilted into doing something for this child and his parents as well. That's my hope. That's my goal. I just want to make a positive difference in the life of someone who has been dealt an awful hand in life at a young age. Anyway, here are some excerpts from the story in today's Sun Sentinel about Alex and what you can do to help in this holiday season: <<He's out of the hospital and back with his family, but the autistic teen stabbed in both eyes last month stays awake at night in fear of "that lady," the aunt who is accused of assaulting him, his father said. Edward "Alex" Babington, 14, was released from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami on Tuesday, according to William Babington, 41, the boy's father. He has been in and out of treatments since Nov. 30, when police say the boy was attacked and a 6-inch blade plunged into his eyes. The case is being investigated and Alex's aunt, Lisa Babington, 40, is in the Broward County jail on a charge of premeditated murder.>> <<The teen's left eye and his right eye's lens have been removed. "He's going to be using a special device to help him focus, but as far as seeing 20/20, I can't say that'll ever happen," said William Babington, himself blind in his left eye since childhood. Alex was sleeping in the Lauderhill home he shares with his aunt and grandmother, Stella Babington, 79, when he was attacked. According to a search warrant: Stella Babington found Lisa hunched over the boy's bed sometime before midnight telling Alex, "This won't hurt, this won't hurt." Lisa Babington flashed a knife at her mother and said she wouldn't hurt her. She then walked into the kitchen, went on her knees and stabbed herself in the right eye, according to the search warrant. Almost 10 hours passed before authorities were notified of the incident by Lisa Babington's boyfriend, Jason Willoughby, according to court records. Police say the aunt drove to Willoughby's house after the stabbing with a green towel wrapped around her head. Calls made to Willoughby's home Thursday were not immediately returned. The State Attorney's Office is also reviewing the case to see whether the boy's grandmother, who did not immediately call police, should be charged, though Sean Conway, the family's lawyer, says that's unlikely. "The woman is old and frail. She didn't do much because she couldn't, she was in such shock," Conway said. Alex will move to Orlando with his father and his mother, Michelle Babington, 37, sometime before Jan. 6. Both parents work at Disney World as ride operators. They plan to continue their son's treatment in South Florida. "Children with autism process the world around them primarily through sight, so learning and mobility may become more complicated for them when they're blind," said Susan Kabot, director of clinical services at Nova Southeastern University's Mailman Segal Institute, which specializes in autism. The Babingtons hope to find a school for their son as soon as they return to Orlando, where the couple has lived for almost a decade. According to William Babington, Alex was left in his grandmother's care because children with autism don't react well to extreme changes in their routine. "He was comfortable in his school and had adapted so well to the area, we couldn't take us with him. That would have devastated him," he said. Christmas lights hang around Stella Babington's house, where the parents have been staying since the incident. The family hopes to celebrate the holidays and put 2007 behind them. William Babington's father died in April and the family cat died a few days ago. "This is so heinous, I can't believe she would do it, but she did," William Babington said of his sister. "I may eventually forgive her, but not right now, it's too soon.">> The story speaks for itself. Here's how you can help: <<A special fund was set up by The Association for Retarded Citizens -- a national organization with a Broward County branch -- for Edward "Alex" Babington through SunTrust Bank. "There's been so much interest in this case, people asking how they could help the family, that we figured this was the best way to go about it," said Sean Conway, the family's lawyer, who helped establish the fund. Money raised will go toward Alex's medical treatments. Anyone interested in donating to the trust fund for Alex can call the ARC at 305-759-8500. >> Thanks for reading. And Happy Holidays!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo A very sad case indeed. Another one to cry over. Sadly folks, this is a what I do for a living. I deal with these cases and the systems of the British Government to deal with these sorts of things, and more important, the prevention of such atrocious acts. At least here we have social medicine so such a trust would not be required. Is there a web site do you know? It is easier to make international donations that way. I have also forwarded this on to various contacts here in the UK.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Dave, there isn't a website that I am aware of, but any help you can offer I am sure would be appreciated. I had kind of hoped this thread would get more attention, but I guess a lot of folks have started their holidays and aren't around ... I have been told that Alex's Dad is close to an Imagineer, who is often discussed here, so I'm going to see if there's a way to bring this into the WDI fold and see what can be done. Just a sad, sad, story ...
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Very sad. I have also put this on Facebook in the hope it makes the rounds and drums up support. All my positive energy to this boy and his parents. Let the healing process (in every sense) begin!
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 I had not heard of this case. Reading about it here has sucked all the energy out of my body. I did a web search and found this: "The Association for Retarded Citizens (The Arc), has set up the Edward Babington Third Party Special Needs Trust Fund, at Sun Trust Bank, to benefit the child. Donations can be made through The Arc by calling 305-759-8500, ext. 101, or by email through The Arc's contact person Tonja Parra, at tonjap@ARCsofla.org." I can't personally vouch for that address, but for those who prefer not to use the phone, it might be a place to start. The Association for Retarded Persons is a wonderful organization. [www.thearc.org] Thank you, Spirit.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Thanks, I-57! Someone just emailed me that, so I'm sure that's the right person. And, yeah, it does suck the energy out of you. I remember hearing about it on the news, when I was working and it was basically background noise and I could not believe what I heard. It seems like just when you think you're heard it all, something (almost always bad ... or at least bizarre) comes up. Since I've posted this, I've heard more about Alex, and it seems he was/is a very highly-functional autistic teen and likely could have ... would have ... been able to lead a somewhat close to a normal adult life. Now ... frankly, it makes me want to cry ... Oh well ... I'm just hoping the holiday spirit gets around and people do what they can. And I'm hoping TWDC steps in and makes some real magic here where it is so needed. I'm kind of down on humanity (I'm sure this comes as little surprise), but I'm looking to have a bit of my (non-denominational) faith restored this holiday season.
Originally Posted By idleHands <<I have been told that Alex's Dad is close to an Imagineer, who is often discussed here, so I'm going to see if there's a way to bring this into the WDI fold and see what can be done.>> So... how's that going for you?
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 Thats just plain sad. Who could live with themselves after doing that? ANd how could you get yourself to do that sort of thing in the first place?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Clearly, the woman was very mentally ill/evil. I just hope some of our generous LPers, as well as those in Glendale and Orlando who have been made aware of the situation, have donated something or done something to make the family's burden a tiny bit easier.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I actually was with a Central Government Department here in the UK where we used this as a case study. I am hoping we can make a difference from here.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I actually was with a Central Government Department here in the UK where we used this as a case study. I am hoping we can make a difference from here.>> Dave, my sincere thanks. It appears you're one of the only people here who have even bothered to notice Alex's plight, let alone try to do something to help. I'm still hopeful that something will come through via either WDI or TDO, more likely the former due to certain connections. I'm also going to use this post to say I'm taking a Spirted Sabbatical from posting on the LaughingPlace just as soon as I hit send. I'm giving myself a 90-day break, and then I'll stop and assess things. I have a trip to Asia to plan as well as business that will be taking me back and forth to LA (hopefully when YOU and the family are there!!!) and I'm just getting very, very down with what's going on here. I started a thread to try to do something good for a child. A total stranger to me, although someone connected to the Disney world through his folks. This is going to be the 12th post in about two weeks on said thread. Meanwhile, last night I started a thread about a friend who was involved in a scary, but thankfully not serious, boat incident at WDW, and it was closed at 164 posts (with a fitting ending by MPierce I might add!) after devoloving into a total mess. Sadly, that contrast speaks volumes to me about what's going on here right now, and it's shameful that kind of thread can get an absurd number of posts (where we even get people wanting definitions of the word 'lousy' and degrees that the boat listed) yet here, we get so few. And the one person here who is showing the most interest and compassion -- you Dave -- is an American who has lived in the UK for years. I just wonder how cold we have become as a society in the USA, and if that's what's being reflected here. It certainly seems that way in the nature so many folks are so quick to 'defend The Man' whether we're talking about the President, ExxonMobil, healthcare or the way the Disney Company is running its parks and resorts. It's the holiday time and most people on this forum are doing pretty well compared to the average American just by hearing of their Disney vacations and other parts of their lifestyles. I keep hearing about compassion, but I sure don't see it. The LP Community was given a great opportunity to reach out and do something great for someone in need and maybe get some positive pub for it. Yet it has chosen to instead go down a very different, playground-like path on other, less consequential -- certainly beyond our control -- matters. Maybe I'll feel differently in a few months, and I'll be back posting here. Maybe I won't. I dunno. I do know that I want to start 2008 on a good note and I can't think of anything more disheartening than this thread dying, while vitriol gets spewed over what age a child should be to dine at V&A's or why it's fiscally responsible for Disney to let its parks get stale and decay. I used the word shameful earlier in this post, and while it certainly is that, nothing has surprised me more -- of all the posts I've made on this site -- to see the utter failure of this Community to coalesce and truly do something meaningful. It's just remarkable that this whole quest to make something good for this child would be totally lost if not for you and myself. That just leaves me feeling empty and I feel it's a sad commentary ... Thanks for being a beacon of light here, and please email me as your trip to the West Coast gets closer.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror First I've seen this thread, Spirit. I wouldn't be too down on the community, or blame it on either political party. I'm guessing there's a whole lot more liberal democrats on LP than conservative republicans. Just a hunch. So that compassionate response could easily be coming from both sides of the fence. I think that had your thread used a topic title that was more to the point - i.e., "Child needs your help" - it might have gotten more attention. I don't jump on LP that often, but in the few times I checked over my vacation, I never saw this thread until just today. Hope your sabbatical is refreshing. Best to you!
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror For the record, Spirit, I've passed along this story, and your info on how to help, to a community of people who are more likely to respond in earnest and with some haste.
Originally Posted By MPierce Maybe you need to rethink how some people handle charities Spirit. Some folks like to remain anonymous with their feelings about certain things. You can rest assured that your post has not gone unnoticed. I won't bother with the boring details of investigating, and contacting the appropriate agencys. My wife spends not only money, but a lot of her time helping others. I'm very sure this family will recieve the help they need from people who wish to remain on the sidelines.
