Dear Editor: Re: the July 18) North Shore News front paye photo shewing local Iranians protest- ing in support of the student- led pro-democracy movement in Tehran, Iran, holding the placard with the | slogan “Down with Islamic Republic of Tran.” I very much doubt if these stud know the true mean- ing, of “democracy,” and hope the government of [ran is aware of the Islamic law on democracy. In fact, Islam has laid down some universal fundamental north shore news MAIL Box on’t blame islamic law for abuse Ferry boss’ fast ferry rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respected under all circum- he ignorance about the religion of Islam is rapidly increasing and instead of bla ing the oppressive regime and the human rights abusive authority, it is always blamed on the religion of Islam. Therefore, [ would say: “Up with Islamic Law” and down with the abusers of Islamic Sharia (Law of Creator). G. Aalani North Vancouver Physiotherapy statements ‘misleading’ Dear Editor: Re: Needled by B.C.’s phys- iotherapists, July + News. Grant Smith’s statements about physiotherapists and acupuncture are inaccurate and misleading. Physiotherapists who use acupuncture must adhere to standards of training and practice set by the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia. These standards include the completion of spe- cific programs assessed by the le the level of knowledge uired to use acupuncture safely and effec- The College of Physical s has regulated phys- iotherapists’ use of acupunctu: for over 20 years, since the 1970s. In contrast, the BC College of Acupuncturists was only established in 1996. It was reformed as the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioners of British Columbia just last month. The provincial Health Professions Council is currently reviewing the scope of practi of over 14 health care protes- sions. The council recently ree- ommended that physiothera- pists be assigned the “reserved act” of acupuncture, which further recognition of physi therapists’ ability to provide this service safely. British Columbians who choose physiotherapy can be confident of receiving service from highly skilled university- trained professionals who can offer the most appropriate and effective solution for the prob- tem at hand. Joyce Statton, Director Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia Executive Parents address needs of autistic off-spring Dear Editor: Schoo! is out, and for our family this means something very special. Jt means the end of two years of weekly com- muting over the treacherous Coquihalla Highway to Kamloops with an_ autistic child. It means the end of fam- ily separation; the end of the financial drain of maintaining two dwellings; the end of phys- ical exhaustion, ali in the name of obtaining therapies not avail- able in Vancouver. Most impor- tantly, it means the beginning of a new era in meenng the needs of children with autism. Finally, after eight years of incredible parental endeavour, and recently corporate sponsor- " ship, the doors of Giant Steps Therapeutic Centre will open this September in Port Moody. At the centre, we will provide occupational, speech and music therapies, academic taining in ATTENTION! a setting that is conducive for ous hypersensitive children to learn, and appropriate interac- tion with peers and others. We will reach the root of their aggression and treat the cause, not the symptom. We will prepare our children for the mainstream of educa- tion because we believe they can be successful there with adequate therapeutic interven- tion. We will teach them activi- tics of daily living so that they can become independent members of society. And we will open without one dollar from government. How is it possible that gov- ernment has failed our speci needs children so badly? How is it possible that autism is diag- noséd by the medical profes- sion and then parents are sent home without any tools to assist in dealing with this most challenging and bizarre syn- drome? Families are wait-listed for services which never mateti- alize. We begin our research as to what therapies might help our child, They are many and var- ied and they are all expens We are left to try to make the best choice that might fit our financial situation and our philosophical beliefS. We are all alone in making these choices and we are forced to become experts in the field because government appears to have written these children off as being without porential. We believe in our children, so we rcmortgage, we draw down our RRSPs, and when stress takes it toll we divorce at twice the national average. And when we can no longer cope we make the most excru- ciatingly painful decision of our lives: to give our precious child into foster care or to be raised JEEP OWNERS Complete mechanical & electrical repairs by factory trained technician IMPEX AUTO 1166A West 14th Street Tel: 985-6237 (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear) ee in a group home. Government often denies this care and we reach our breaking point. We need therapies and sup- port for our children in the same manner as families with physical disabilities or life- threatening health problems. Gur disability is also life-threat- ening, as has becn demonstrat- ed by too many attempted and “successful” suicide attempts by mothers. School is out, but the real work has just begun. Lorraine Ward West Vancouver ary 30 30, STORE SEARS CATALOGUE LOG ous cb pplas page at Wiaywteurs. Wednesday, July 28, 1999 — North Shore News — 9 defence questioned Dear Editor: BC Ferries CEO Bob Lingwood’s defence of the fast ferries (July 22 letter to the News editor) is the best The concept of more frequent (smaller) traffic pulses makes sense, especially at the Horseshoe Bay end. However, J] doukt rhis was the “sole fast ferry concept” to begin with, as it was never mentioned, as nei- ther was the discontinuation of commercial truck traffic. It looks more like Mr. Lingwood’s better concept being offered now is a cover for the previous recklessness and other disastrous aspects of this established fiasco. Denis Mason West Vancouver Elegance and privacy Sale prices in affect Monday, § July 26th to Sunday, August Ist, 1999 or while quantities Jost. Does not ates prior to July 26th. Ss i férimore hat de 9850 AUSTIN ROAD, BURNAB