Saturday, January 28, 2017

Daniel Olmsted

Autism Light #455 is Daniel Olmsted.



Daniel "Dan" Olmsted was a journalist and former senior editor for United Press International (UPI). He was the owner and editor of the Age of Autism website. Dan Olmsted was born on June 17, 1952, and passed away in Falls Church, Virginia on January 23, 2017, at the age of 64. Dan Olmsted will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today. Dan Olmsted is an Autism Light for his influence and dedication to be a journalistic voice for those that believe autism has its root in environmental causes.

A celebration of life service will be held for Daniel Olmsted at the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home on March 18, 2017, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers donations in Dan Olmsted's memory can be made to Age of Autism.

Obituaries and news about Daniel Olmsted may be viewed in the following articles.
The following is an interview Dan Olmsted had with C-Span on June 18, 2007 about autism.



Age of Autism: The Age of Autism website was started by Dan Olmsted in November 2007, and it's content has received millions of views in the 20 years of its operation. The Age of Autism website states that it is the "Daily Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemic", and describes their mission in this way: "We are published to give a voice to those who believe autism is an environmentally induced illness, that is treatable, and that children can recover (Age of Autism Welcome from Dan Olmsted)." Following Dan Olmsted's passing, the work and content of Age of Autism continues to be published by other journalists like Mark Blaxill, John Stone, and Kim Stagliano, who was Autism Light #396.

Wikipedia: You can read more information about Dan Olmsted on his Wikipedia page.

The autism community mourns the loss of Dan Olmsted. His investigative journalism into a relationship between vaccines and environmental hazards to autism has provided important information that was not widely available in the mainstream media. He gave a voice to those who believe in an environmental cause of autism. It is hoped that his memory will encourage others to become journalists and that the work of Age of Autism will carry on with success.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Note: Autism Light does not take a position on a vaccine-autism connection. We respect diverse views and recognize autism heroes on both sides of the issues who are a valuable voice to parts of the autism community. Our desire is to present the life stories of diverse people who are dedicated to helping those with autism in different ways and in doing so to allow their passions to be represented on the blog and to speak for themselves.

Friday, January 6, 2017

William Christopher

Autism Light #454 is William Christopher.




William Christopher was an actor who had a variety of roles in his career, but none as endearing as the role of "Father Mulcahy" in the hit 1970's era television show MASHWilliam Christopher was born on October 20, 1932, and died on December 31, 2016, from cancer. He is survived by his wife Barbara and two sons, Ned and John. His son Ned Christopher has autism. William Christopher is an Autism Light because of how his devotion to his son and his journey as an autism father has increased autism awareness. William Christopher will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.

Education: William Christopher earned a Bachelor's degree in drama at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

Actor: William Christopher starred as "Father Mulcahy" in the popular sitcom MASH and the spin off After MASH, from 1972-1983.  He also had recurring roles in television shows, "Gomer Pyle", "That Girl", and "Hogan's Heroes". You can read more about William Christopher's career at William Christopher's IMDb Page or the Wikipedia Page of William Christopher.

Here is a public service announcement that William Christopher appeared in for the Health Care Chaplaincy Network.



Mixed Blessings: William and Barbara Christopher published the book Mixed Blessings in 1989. The book tells their story of raising their son Ned, who has autism, and the hope and challenges they faced in making important decisions in his development.

National Autistic Society: William Christopher appeared in public service announcements for the National Autistic Society as a way of advocating for his son and others who have autism.

Obituary: You can read William Christopher's obituary at Legacy.comCBS News also published a news article on William Christopher's passing.

Special thanks to William Christopher for being a light for autism. Although the general public will remember his well performed character acting roles, the autism community thanks him for fulfilling a role as a dedicated autism father, author, and an advocate. May his memory encourage others and remind us all of the way in which autism touches so many families, including those of famous celebrities.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.