More on Adam Jasinski and the United Autism Foundation.
Feb 15, 2008 Author: Melissa | Filed under: Autism
Parents on the Autism-PDD Message Board up in arms
Adam Jasinski’s Profile on Reality TV World
Autismville post - Autism: Brotherly Hate
KYW Newsradio Interview with Jasinski
Quote from Adam - “I am an alpha male. I’m pretty much self-centered. I love myself.”
Quote from Adam’s dad - “I really hope he wins, because he wants to give part of his winnings to the Autism Foundation.”
Here’s what I think, I think this “Autism Foundation” is a front for Jasinski to try and win the $500,000 Big Brother prize. I poked around the net and found http://www.unitedautismfoundation.org - the UNIAF website at http://uniaf.org was just a storefront it seems and is registered and resolves to a location in Germany - uniaf.org was registered in April of 2007. Unitedautismfoundation.org was registered on 12/15/2007 to an individual in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The projects, programs, events, get involved, be informed, and official supporter section of the website are not developed. The About Us page is and includes the following information:
The United Autism Foundation is a corporation, which was only established to serve and improve our community in order to help children and change lives.
Corporation? Interesting. The “donate now” section of the unitedautismfoundation.org website is certainly working, how’s that for a surprise? I’m not saying that the organization isn’t genuine but the shabby nature of the site, the fairly recent registration of the domain, and the timing of the foundation’s launch with the airing of Big Brother leads me to think that Jasinski isn’t doing this for the altruistic factor.
I know there is a registry of reputable 501(c)3 organizations, I’ve researched them in the past, but I cannot for the life of me remember the link. If you know it, I’d be interested in seeing if UNIAF is listed.
Trackbacks
- Celebrity Blog » Big Brother’s Adam under fire for on-air autism slur
- CelebFace: All the gossip, juicy rumors and scandals!
- Adam Jasinski Becoming Quite Popular - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy
- Big Brother’s Adam under fire for on-air autism slur by celebrities-portal.com
- Soeren Palumbo’s Eye Opening Speech On The Word “Retard” - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy
- United Autism Foundation Apology from Olaf Hampel - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy
- Discussing Autism » Blog Archive » Who is to Blame, CBS or Jasinski?
- Big Brother Contestant Adam Jasinski Likely In The Dark
- AssHattery.Com » Blog Archive » Big Brother contestant calls kids with autism “Retards”. Yeah, that went over really well.
- Lowe’s First Company to Pull Ads from Big Brother - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy
- Hiker Rescued After Fall in Superstition Mountains - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy
- adam jasinski
- Adam Jasinski Supporters Sharing Their Opinions - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy
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54 Responses for "More on Adam Jasinski and the United Autism Foundation."
I’m still shaking my head thinking about how CBS actually allowed this comment to air. He should be fired … They should apologize.
Just horrible!
perhaps they allowed it for the attention & ratings aspect of it. but i can’t imagine that they would not have foreseen the backlash they would also receive!?!
as a mother of two children with autism, i am very offended and angered that this was put out there as entertainment.
our kids get enough stares and negative responses & must deal with a lifetime of hardships… they don’t need idiots like this making things worse!
I have one child with autism and have loved Big Brother every season it has been on. This is the first time that something has angered me enough to think I might not watch again. My son is a miracle and a blessing and for him who should know better to call them retards and think it is his right just by working with them is very sad.
I feel sorry for Adam.
Kimmie
Thank you all for your comments and feedback. CBS definitely had some say in this as it wasn’t a live show that it came out in - at least I don’t think so (I could be wrong, it’s happened once or twice hehe).
Hi Melissa! The website you’re thinking of is http://www.guidestar.org. My fiancee and I both work for an organization in upstate NY that provides services to MRDD population (she works with them, I am more of a backoffice person) and we were both VERY apalled that Adam used the “R” word. Then again, I am not terribly surprised, he does come off as an ass… As far as what you’ve researched, I tend to agree. However, would CBS allow him to lie about his employment history as a strategy? Nonetheless, we’re quite upset ourselves and would definitely like to see a statement from CBS that they do NOT condone this sort of speech.
Yes thank you Alex! I knew it was out there but couldn’t remember the name.
[…] Foundation” to make people vote for him on Big Brother and think he’s this great guy. Mindless Mommy mentioned that the domain was just registered and that the fact that it focuses primarily on this […]
[…] Foundation” to make people vote for him on Big Brother and think he’s this great guy. Mindless Mommy mentioned that the domain was just registered and that the fact that it focuses primarily on this […]
[…] two posts on Adam Jasinski - More on Adam Jasinski and the United Autism Foundation and Adam Jasinski from Big Brother Sticks His Foot in his Mouth - have gotten an insane amount of […]
[…] Foundation” to make people vote for him on Big Brother and think he’s this great guy. Mindless Mommy mentioned that the domain was just registered and that the fact that it focuses primarily on this […]
Check this out, a job listing for UNIAF from December: http://broward.jobing.com/job_details2.asp?usecache=0&jobid=1307674
Great PR move. How hasn’t he been fired yet?
Please call the UNIAF and demand they do so, immediately and publicly.
1001 W Cypress Creek Rd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 449-4991
(954) 449-4317 fax
Thanks for the link Scott!
How about we start a real not-for-profit for autistic children with his idea and get CBS to donate 500,000 for their gross error in judgement to the organization.
Fantastic idea Lisa!
I have enclosed a wonderful essay about the word “retard”. I have a son with autism who takes all regular education classes such as Algebra 2, Music Theory, etc. and gets A’s and B’s. I wonder what Adam’s grades were in high school???
___________________________________________
“I want to tell you a quick story before I start. I was walking through hallways, not minding my own business, listening to the conversations around me. As I passed the front door on my way to my English classroom, I heard the dialogue between two friends nearby. For reasons of privacy, I would rather not give away their race or gender.
So the one girl leans to the other, pointing to the back of a young man washing the glass panes of the front door, and says, “Oh my gaw! I think it is so cute that our school brings in the black kids from around the district to wash our windows!” The other girl looked up, widened her slanted Asian eyes and called to the window washer, easily loud enough for him to hear, “Hey, Negro! You missed a spot!” The young man did not turn around. The first girl smiled a bland smile that all white girls - hell, all white people - have and walked on. A group of Mexicans stood by and laughed that high pitch laugh that all of them have.
So now it’s your turn. What do you think the black window washer did? What would you do in that situation? Do you think he turned and calmly explained the fallacies of racism and showed the girls the error of their way? That’s the one thing that makes racism, or any discrimination, less powerful in my mind. No matter how biased or bigoted a comment or action may be, the guy can turn around and explain why racism is wrong and, if worst comes to worst, punch ‘em in the face.
Discrimination against those who can defend themselves, obviously, cannot survive. What would be far worse is if we discriminated against those who cannot defend themselves. What then, could be worse than racism?
Look around you and thank God that we don’t live in a world that discriminates and despises those who cannot defend themselves. Thank God that every one of us in this room, in this school, hates racism and sexism and by that logic discrimination in general. Thank God that every one in this institution is dedicated to the ideal of mutual respect and love for our fellow human beings. Then pinch yourself for living in a dream. Then pinch the hypocrites sitting next to you. Then pinch the hypocrite that is you.
Pinch yourself once for each time you have looked at one of your fellow human beings with a mental handicap and laughed. Pinch yourself for each and every time you denounced discrimination only to turn and hate those around you without the ability to defend themselves, the only ones around you without the ability to defend themselves. Pinch yourself for each time you have called someone else a “retard.”
If you have been wondering about my opening story, I’ll tell you that it didn’t happen, not as I described it. Can you guess what I changed? No, it wasn’t the focused hate on one person, and no it wasn’t the slanted Asian eyes or cookie cutter features white people have or that shrill Hispanic hyena laugh (yeah, it hurts when people make assumptions about your person and use them against you doesn’t it?).
The girl didn’t say “hey Negro.” There was no black person.
It was a mentally handicapped boy washing the windows. It was “Hey retard” I removed the word retard. I removed the word that destroys the dignity of our most innocent. I removed the single most hateful word in the entire English language.
I don’t understand why we use the word; I don’t think I ever will.
In such an era of political correctness, why is it that retard is still ok? Why do we allow it? Why don’t we stop using the word? Maybe students can’t handle stopping - I hope that offends you students, it was meant to - but I don’t think the adults, here can either.
Students, look at your teacher, look at every member of this faculty. I am willing to bet that every one of them would throw a fit if they heard the word faggot or nigger - hell the word Negro - used in their classroom. But how many of them would raise a finger against the word retard? How many of them have? Teachers, feel free to raise your hand or call attention to yourself through some other means if you have.
That’s what I thought. Clearly, this obviously isn’t a problem contained within our age group.
So why am I doing this? Why do I risk being misunderstood and resented by this school’s student body and staff? Because I know how much you can learn from people, all people, even - no, not even, especially - the mentally handicapped.
I know this because every morning I wake up and I come downstairs and I sit across from my sister, quietly eating her Cheerio’s. And as I sit down she sets her spoon down on the table and she looks at me, her strawberry blonde hair hanging over her freckled face almost completely hides the question mark shaped scar above her ear from her brain surgery two Christmases ago.
She looks at me and she smiles. She has a beautiful smile; it lights up her face. Her two front teeth are faintly stained from the years of intense epilepsy medication but I don’t notice that anymore. I lean over to her and say, “Good morning, Olivia.” She stares at me for a moment and says quickly, “Good morning, Soeren,” and goes back to her Cheerio’s.
I sit there for a minute, thinking about what to say. “What are you going to do at school today, Olivia?” She looks up again. “Gonna see Mista Bee!” she replies loudly, hugging herself slightly and looking up. Mr. B. is her gym teacher and perhaps her favorite man outside of our family on the entire planet and Olivia is thoroughly convinced that she will be having gym class every day of the week. I like to view it as wishful thinking.
She finishes her Cheerio’s and grabs her favorite blue backpack and waits for her bus driver, Miss Debbie, who, like clockwork, arrives at our house at exactly 7 o’clock each morning. She gives me a quick hug goodbye and runs excitedly to the bus, ecstatic for another day of school.
And I watch the bus disappear around the turn and I can’t help but remember the jokes. The short bus. The “retard rocket.” No matter what she does, no matter how much she loves those around her, she will always be the butt of some immature kid’s joke. She will always be the butt of some mature kid’s joke. She will always be the butt of some “adult’s” joke.
By no fault of her own, she will spend her entire life being stared at and judged. Despite the fact that she will never hate, never judge, never make fun of, never hurt, she will never be accepted. That’s why I’m doing this. I’m doing this because I don’t think you understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you don’t realize that you hate. But that’s what it is; your pre-emptive dismissal of them, your dehumanization of them, your mockery of them, it’s nothing but another form of hate.
It’s more hateful than racism, more hateful than sexism, more hateful than anything. I’m doing this so that each and every one of you, student or teacher, thinks before the next time you use the word “retard,” before the next time you shrug off someone else’s use of the word “retard”. Think of the people you hurt, both the mentally handicapped and those who love them.
If you have to, think of my sister. Think about how she can find more happiness in the blowing of a bubble and watching it float away than most of us will in our entire lives. Think about how she will always love everyone unconditionally. Think about how she will never hate. Then think about which one of you is “retarded.”
Maybe this has become more of an issue today because society is changing, slowly, to be sure, but changing nonetheless. The mentally handicapped aren’t being locked in their family’s basement anymore.
The mentally handicapped aren’t rotting like criminals in institutions. Our fellow human beings are walking among us, attending school with us, entering the work force with us, asking for nothing but acceptance, giving nothing but love. As we become more accepting and less hateful, more and more handicapped individuals will finally be able to participate in the society that has shunned them for so long. You will see more of them working in places you go, at Dominicks, at Jewel, at Wal-Mart. Someday, I hope more than anything, one of these people that you see will be my sister.
I want to leave you with one last thought. I didn’t ask to have a mentally handicapped sister. She didn’t choose to be mentally handicapped. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have learned infinitely more from her simple words and love than I have from any classroom of “higher education.” I only hope that, one day, each of you will open your hearts enough to experience true unconditional love, because that is all any of them want to give. I hope that, someday, someone will love you as much as Olivia loves me. I hope that, someday, you will love somebody as much as I love her. I love you, Olivia.
Soeren Palumbo
Soeren Palumbo is a senior honors student at Fremd High School in Wheeling, Illinois, and big brother to Olivia. During Writer’s Week (in March 2007), he gave the following speech to a gymnasium full of his high school peers and faculty and received a standing ovation.
Carol, thank you for sharing that with me. What a touching story and very true. I would have loved to be in the room when Soeren gave that speech.
Congratulations to your son on his fantastic school work!
[…] following was posted as a response in my More on Adam Jasinski and the United Autism Foundation entry. I felt it was worthy of a front-page appearance so am reposting it, in its entirety, […]
Perhaps he has been fired? When did Big Brother start taping? And/or when would he have given his 2 weeks?
Big Brother has live feeds available to Internet subscribers plus they have a live show on Showtime called Big Brother After Dark. I think it comes on at 10 Pacific; if I’m awake I’ll put it on and see if he’s still on the show.
I’m guessing he’ll end up getting booted from the United Autism Foundation if, indeed, it is a completely legitimate organization.
If you go to the IRS website and download Publication 78 (a listing of almost all tax-exempt qualified charities) you will see that the United Autism Foundation is NOT listed in there. If Adam Jasinski is claiming that he is working for a tax-exempt charitable organization then he is committing tax fraud on national television and CBS is allowing this to happen. The only thing I see on his website is fundraising opportunities for him, personally, with absolutely no services being offered for people with autism.
Correction - Sorry…United Autism Foundation is listed in Publication 78. However, I do not see anything on the Foundation’s website indicating how any of the donations will be used.
Check this out, a job listing for UNIAF from December: http://broward.jobing.com/job_details2.asp?usecache=0&jobid=1307674
The number below is a “NON-WORKING” number this morning- but the fax machine is still up. If you are near a fax machine - hit em’ up!
————————
Please call the UNIAF and demand they do so, immediately and publicly.
1001 W Cypress Creek Rd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 449-4991
(954) 449-4317 fax
I received this email a few minutes ago.
—————————————————————-
Good afternoon,
This email is an Official Apology for any and all irresponsible, misleading and unprofessional comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9, a CBS Reality TV Show, about children and adults who have been diagnosed with Autism.
In the name of the United Autism Foundation, I would like to apologize for all disrespectful comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9 to the entire Autism Community as well as all children, adults and families who are affected by Autism.
I am aware that Adam Jasinski hurt many people in our country, but please understand that Adam does not represent the United Autism Foundation with his personal point of views or his personal believes.
Please accept my apologies and please keep in mind that the United Autism Foundation is committed to help special needs children in order to improve our society today. UNIAF is committed to support our community, and we need your support to make a difference.
The United Autism foundation is not about Adam Jasinski - UNIAF is trying to create awareness in order to help and support all those who have been diagnosed with autism.
AGAIN, I AM SORRY AND I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR THOSE COMMENTS MADE BY ADAM JASINSKI ON BIG BROTHER 9.
Respectfully,
Olaf Hampel
President
United Autism Foundation
My question is this…Are we sure Adam is no longer associated with this foundation?
and
Where is an apology from CBS and Adam????
the link you want is sunbiz.org - offers documents for incorporated entities in Florida. There are two entries for this “foundation” - the website of which is not currently working (just the home page)
http://sunbiz.org/scripts/cordet.exe?action=DETFIL&inq_doc_number=N01000008318&inq_came_from=NAMFWD&cor_web_names_seq_number=0001&names_name_ind=N&names_cor_number=&names_name_seq=&names_name_ind=&names_comp_name=UNITEDAUTISMFOUNDATION&names_filing_type=
http://sunbiz.org/scripts/cordet.exe?action=DETFIL&inq_doc_number=N07000005944&inq_came_from=NAMFWD&cor_web_names_seq_number=0000&names_name_ind=N&names_cor_number=&names_name_seq=&names_name_ind=&names_comp_name=UNITEDAUTISMFOUNDATION&names_filing_type=
This is public information, so I feel it’s ok to post it.
[…] to Carol O. for posting this in response to “More on Adam Jasinski and the United Autism Foundation” Good […]
Thank you Carol O. and Barbara.
Barbara - I agree it is public information that is accessible by all, just makes it easier to post it here.
Carol O. - I published the apology as a new blog entry as well. I also commented on your very valid questions. Here’s the link:
http://www.mindlessmommy.com/2008/02/united-autism-foundation-apology-from-olaf-hampel.html
Hi folks -
I’m a special ed teacher and was shocked by Adam’s comments. Let’s use this as a vehicle to learn more about autism and the associated disorders; look at a person’s ABILITY instead of any disability.
ABC News had a segment on autism tonight. Please check the story; Carly is an amazing young lady -
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4311223&page=1
Many of you have done a fantastic job of double checking the validity of the ‘charity’ and the website. Note the reply from the ‘president’ didn’t address his firm’s tax exempt status, and it had some questionable capitalization errors. Also the ‘president’ disassociated his firm from Adam, yet apologizes for him in the last sentence.
Many past contestants have lied about their jobs, but Adam appears to have set a new low. I could care less about how this plays out in the house, but the burden is on CBS to have Julie put out accurate information about the ‘charity’.
Windell
As the mother of a son diagnosed with autism, I have been very upset by Adam’s remarks. I have posted quite a bit on the CBS forum about Adam and have researched this foundation extensively. I continue to view it with great skepticism. I would never deny anyone the right to feel and express their outrage and upset over the use of the “R” word and CBS’s refusal to apologize, but I want to share my eye-opening experience.
For whatever reason, I just haven’t been able to shake this off. It has really bothered me and since I’m writing about it today, I guess I’m still not off the topic.
However, last night as I said the Lord’s prayer with my son (and he says it by rote with me), one line really hit me “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”. I’m not the preachy type and honestly don’t even go to church that often, but it took hold. I guess because my son said it (I don’t know if he understands it) “let us forgive those who trespass against us”. I have always beleived there is something very special and spiritual about children with autism. They are a gift from God. I felt like he was telling me “let it go, Mom”. I don’t know why. But, I really had a strong feeling come over me and knew that is what I should do.
I still recognize Adam is a creep and there are a lot of Adam’s in the world. It makes me sad. I want to protect my child and all like him. But, I think my son is so far far above him spiritually that he is telling me to let my heart forgive him and let it go.
That’s just my opinon. I’m in no way defending Adam and I have great respect for all of you who are fighting to protect your children and stop intolerance.
I got the sunbiz site to work, and the filing for United Austism Foundation is a name change from Trees Are Beings, Inc which was created in 2001 to “protect and preserve the trees, rain forests and land areas” - then they changed their name (same officers) and made their purpose just the general purposes that comply with IRS regulations. I think this whole thing was a scam, to give him something to look stupid about in the BB house (he sounds just like Matt Dillon in Something About Mary) and it got him just what he wanted - lots of attention.
[…] Now, there is also this link to UNIAF…thanks to the fabulous sleuthing by Mindless Mommy. This one looks quite more credible although it is certainly not a foundation but rather a […]
[…] More on Adam Jasinski and the United Autism Foundation […]
This looks pretty suspicious, however the charity is registered according to the Internal Revenue Service site: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=178801,00.html look under “U” for United
Here is a link to a news broadcast about this foundation:
http://cbs4.com/topstories/United.Autism.Foundation.2.395451.html
That said I find it interesting that Olaf Hampel who evidently started this foundation claims to have been a tackle with the Denver Broncos…he never actually made the team…he only made the practice squad and only for one year, 1993.
As for the alternative link to the foundation, that does look a bit more professional…however, if you actually click on any of the links they will take you to an “oops, page not found” message…that is except the link for donating…that link will take you straight to pay pal to empty your wallet for the benefit of who knows who.
I find it very hard to believe that this is a legit foundation…it would be very interesting to know who is receiving the money…because it is doubtful that they are serving people with autism and their families.
Honestly…Adam’s comment was disgusting and completely unacceptable…but if this foundation is the fraud that it is starting to look like it is…that is an even worse offense…and sadly it also means that Adam’s comment was more than likely premeditated to draw people to the website to get more people to donate.
I too have been doing some digging on Adam’s and UNIAF background …
the site http://www.unitedautismfoundation.org is a new installation of a customer management software that has no information under any of the links including the contact link … they just go to page not found ….
the information in whois for this website gives an address of
1001 W Cypress Rd, Suite 401, Ft Lauderdale FL, 33309 Phone number 954 326 3639. I called the number and reached a voice mail but they did not identify themselves … I tracked the phone number .. it is a cell number …
the other three sites I have found … http://www.uniaf.org http://www.unichaf.org and http://www.bb9adam.com all have 6538 Collins Ave. #465 Miami Beach, FL 33141 with no phone number. The whois info on these sites is an address in Germany and a Germany Cell Phone number.
The Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc Director emailed me last night to inform me had one of his staff members go to one of the addresses (I will confirm what one later today) but that it lead him to a PO Box at a UPS Store.
I was informed by one of the Advisory Board Members that Adam was a telemarketer for less than 6 weeks before being Justifiably Discharged …. (From the beginning of November till mid December 2007) that they hired him because of his impeccable references on his resume that included CBS - Big Brother ….
Responses from the President of UNIAF have been slow and have not shown he understands the magnitude of this situation … or he is sticking his head in the sand till it all blows over … which is the feeling I am getting from CBS … not one of my questions have been answered concerning how and what type of medical/criminal background checks they complete on the contestants … yet alone the reference UNIAF claims Adam has on his resume to being an employee with Big Brother …
Yes they are a registered charity as of October 2007 … however this is very easy to do and only costs about $500.00 to set up … a $500.00 investment …. FREE international exposure … would not take much time to scam allot of money and make the investment back … and contrary to what they claim … donations have been made …
I have not been able to confirm any of the projects they claim to have initiated and they have not supplied me with the requested documentation as to where there projects are or who runs them …
So far I have not found anything that confirms to me that UNIAF is a legitimate organization ,,, yet alone that Adam or CBS is not guilty of placing a former employee in the BB House …. they have not responded to my request for confirmation or denial as to his affiliation with BB prior to the show … but UNIAF Advisory Board Member informed me that was the main reason he was hired … his impeccable references …. so who is covering up … is UNIAF lying about EVERYTHING …. is ADAM lying about everything ….. or all three … UNIAF … CBS Big Brother … and ADAM …. guilty of lying to the world ….
I get the feeling they are trying to stick their heads in the sand until it all blows over ….
I have received two apology emails , one yesterday … one today …
The following is yesterdays apology:
Good afternoon,
This email is an Official Apology for any and all irresponsible, misleading and unprofessional comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9, a CBS Reality TV Show, about children and adults who have been diagnosed with Autism.
In the name of the United Autism Foundation, I would like to apologize for all disrespectful comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9 to the entire Autism Community as well as all children, adults and families who are affected by Autism.
I am aware that Adam Jasinski hurt many people in our country, but please understand that Adam does not represent the United Autism Foundation with his personal point of views or his personal believes.
Please accept my apologies and please keep in mind that the United Autism Foundation is committed to help special needs children in order to improve our society today. UNIAF is committed to support our community, and we need your support to make a difference.
The United Autism foundation is not about Adam Jasinski - UNIAF is trying to create awareness in order to help and support all those who have been diagnosed with autism.
AGAIN, I AM SORRY AND I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR THOSE COMMENTS MADE BY ADAM JASINSKI ON BIG BROTHER 9.
Respectfully,
Olaf Hampel
President
United Autism Foundation
This is todays email:
Today’s email had BREAKING NEWS - FOUNDATION APOLOGIZES TO THE COUNTRY in the subject line … it was sent from uniaf@unichaf.org and in the CC line it said “National Media” that linked to uniaf@unichaf.org .
(Miami, FL – February 21, 2008) The United Autism Foundation, also known as UNIAF, founded by former NFL pro football player, Olaf Hampel, is officially apologizing for the disrespectful and irresponsible remarks about children and adults who have been diagnosed with autism made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9, a CBS Reality TV Show.
It is important to know that any and all remarks about children and adults with autism made by Adam Jasinski are his personal beliefs, and not the beliefs of the United Autism Foundation. Adam Jasinski did not make any of those unprofessional comments while he was working with the United Autism Foundation. Therefore, Adam Jasinski did not show any evidence about his personal beliefs in the few months he assisted the foundation and its mission to improve our community.
It needs to be clarified that the foundation has not received any financial support by the government or agencies, other foundations or even companies and was only funded by its founder. As the financial limits of the founder have been reached at the beginning of 2008, the United Autism Foundation was forced to downsize its operation and Adam Jasinski was no longer employed by UNIAF at the time of his comments, although he had continued to offer some assistance as a volunteer.
Based on the published comments on national television, Adam Jasinski cannot and will not represent or work for the United Autism Foundation after his time at the Big Brother TV show. His statements do not do justice to this overseen and the fastest growing disorder in our country.
UNIAF deeply apologizes to the Autism Community, all children, adults and their families who are affected with Autism and the entire country for the disrespectful comments which have been made on national television by a former employee. The United Autism foundation is trying to create public awareness in order to help and support all those who have been diagnosed with autism and is deeply offended by statements which can hurt any individuals in our nation.
To find out more information about the United Autism Foundation and its programs, please visit UNIAF at http://www.UNIAF.org
I am the mother of an adult autistic son. I am also the managing editor of a small rural newspaper. We received the “apology” from the unaif this morning. I don’t watch Big Brother, so I had no idea what it was all about, but it piqued my interest, so I did some cursory investigating. Interesting that the “press release” claims that uniaf was founded by “former NFL pro football player, Olaf Hampel.” Also interesting that I could find no information on him on the official NFL website, which lists hundreds of past and present players. I couldn’t find any verifiable information on his being in the NFL anywhere else, either. Could be Adam Jasinski isn’t the only one who says things that aren’t true.
[…] to this website, Adam is quoted as saying -”I am an alpha male. I’m pretty much self-centered. I love […]
[…] advertisements from Big Brother in light of Adam Jasinksi’s foot-in-mouth comment calling the autistic children he works with retards. In the entry Lowe’s Pulls Advertisements From Big Brother After Jasinski Comment, a press […]
no kids no wife lonely loooooser… looooser…
How bout we all file a class action lawsuit against Adam against cbs and against the foundation, I am.
[…] is mindlessmommy.com. This post isn’t about autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, anxiety, or Adam Jasinski. This post is about my dad. *insert awwww sound clip […]
Wait till when Big Brother 9 ends this season this Adam will be told he got fired and lose his soulmate.
well done, brother
[…] autistic children as "retards." Now there&39s a second reason he may …www.starmagazine.comAdam Jasinski Big Brother Autism Faux PasAdam Jasinski stuck his foot in his mouth calling the special needs kids he works with through his […]
I want to start by saying I have a son that is autistic. Before my son was diagnosed, I had heard of autism, but really did not understand what it was.
Now, I live with the challenges it represents everyday, as I care for my son. But let me say this. Just as we have morons in this world that make remarks about someones race, or religion, we will always be faced with morons making comments about those with disabilities. Did Adam’s comment anger me? You darn betcha it did. Will I file a suit? Of course not. The bottom line is, these people are being shown every moment of every day. There are many of us that have said things in our past that we would not be proud of, and his happened to be aired on national television. Now, I am not defending him, as I think he is a complete incompetent loser, but suing people or Cbs will not change the views of those that are too ignorant to be educated, nor will it make my son’s autism disappear.
That is why my family and I simply chalk it up to the fact that there is one more moron in the world.
As far as the company he is employed with, yes he should lose his job…NO DOUBT. But I have my doubts that it is a REAL CHARITY at all. I give my donations to the Autism Society of America. I know they are a reputable organization that offers a lot to children and adults afflicted with Autism .
Let it go. We will never be able to rid the world of idiots.
I am crying as I read that wonderful story about the brother. I am a grandmother who helps my daughter with my 2 year old autistic grandson everyday and his 5 year old sister. A women the other day said on the Big Brother forum that her father and brother were Autistic and they wouldn’t trade it for the world. I couldn’t believe that. We are doing everything we can to help my grandson. He is in ABA therapy 5 days a week. Speech Therapy. But that is her opinion. Adam is supposedly no longer with this fake charity. Support other charities or help Autistic families with your time. They could use the support. Sheila said she will help him raise money in California if he takes her to the end for his fake charity.
Here is the IRS site for verification:
http://apps2.irs.gov/portal/site/pub78/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.72f1796ad102792acd9e6be24937a759/?javax.portlet.tpst=289c57ca6035546c47564fe84937a759_ws_MX&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=token&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=token
To whom this may concern,
As a grandmother of child recently diagnosed with Autism I just wanted to say a few words. My grandson was diagnosed after Adams comment. I am a big brother fan and as was taken a back by his words. I wanted him gone immediately. I continued to watch bb9 and as I did I saw Adam in a different light. I saw him as a very caring and loving person. He shows that he really cares for Shelia in his DR Sessions. With that said I was watching bb after dark this a.m.(4/24/08) and saw Adam laying in bed thinking. He was staring off into space and you could see in his eyes the tears that were coming. This was not for show because no one was even around. That made me really care for Adam and prayed that he would win. I immediately got on the internet to search for this foundation to make a donation. That’s when I realized all the controversy his comments has made. Like I said at the time my grandson was not yet diagnosed and I still found it to be very offensive!! Like I also said I continued to watch and see a caring and loving Adam. After viewing this last nights after dark show something clicked. While watching him lay there he was making his usual face tics. That’s when clicked. Does Adam have Autism????? After reading so much about it lately to educate myself
so that I will be able to do as much as I can to give my grandson a great and bright future. I have read that tics r a very character sign of Autism as well as some children have remarkable memories like Adam. He has mentioned that he had a rough childhood growing up with all the kids teasing him.
I would be a lot more forgiving if he did have Autism because even if you overcome a lot of Autistic traits growing into adulthood you still will always have Autism from what I have read. Could it be that comment he said was one he has heard many times and he himself has come to except the term “ Retard “ ?
I will be very upset and angry if all this talk about helping Autistic children turns out to be a hoax as will all Americans who desperately want the derogatory remarks to cease and dismiss. I for now want to have faith in Adam and hope that he wins bb9 only because I have a nagging feeling that he does have Autism. How great would it be if someone with Autism could pull something like this off to show the world a that people with Autism are not RETARDS!!
I only hope he does not disappointment me. If this is a man who does nothing with Autistic children and does win the money I will be deeply hurt that I put my faith in such a man. To all families dealing with any type of handicap I feel your pain and I only hope that one day everyone can grow and live in a world that has a better understanding for others. I feel that people who make these comments may have the biggest handicap of us all. It is called IGNORANCE.
Sincerely,
Teresa Plosz
Teresa.a.plosz@gmail.com
[…] the past several days, a few of my stories on Adam Jasinski’s comment on Big Brother 9 have appeared on a few popular Big Brother message boards. Naturally, some […]
Have any officials in the state of Florida undertaken an investigation into the legitimacy of United Autism Foundation? Has CBS bothered to check? On the finale of Big Brother, Adam Jasinki said he was going to donate $100,000 to that organization. As a telemarketer for that group, was he soliciting donations to help “retarded” kids?Was his employment coincidental with his application to be a contestant on Big Brother? One would hope Adam has the good sense to redeem himself by donating to several reputable Autism organizations and offer a formal apology for his thoughtless characterization of those afflicted with autism.
I have a daughter with Asperger’s; however, Adam’s comment didn’t phase me in the least bit. His comment is one of ignorance, which unfortunately, too many people exhibit. It’s unfortunate that someone can utter such an uneducated phrase and garner so much attention from it. My daughter’s not a “retard.” She has an IQ of 128—now tell me…HOW is that “retarded”? When people utter such idiocies, THAT makes them a social retard.
Melissa…Thanks for the post and your concern. I was just as concerned especially after I read this article…
http://bigbrother9.net/big-brother-9-autism-scandal-hit-by-web-scam-scandal-warning/
I sent an email to UNIAF - it was blunt. I gave them the above link and asked them for an explanation.
Their response was this: Subject was: You have no clue
Email message: Say something when you know the truth. Obviously you don’t know anything – keep on reading other peoples BS.
Good luck….
I wasn’t too impressed with that. The accusations and rumors didn’t originate with me. I, like many others, have read this information and I wanted an explanation. I pointed out to UNIAF that they should be as prompt to speak out against the rumors as they were regarding Adam’s words. If they are legit, I would think they would want to passionately defend themselves.
I pointed out that to not defend themselves is to risk not receiving donations as people want to give money to organizations that have a reputation for doing the right thing.
Incidentally, I believe that it only takes $500.00 to register paperwork with the IRS and become a 501c3 organization.
The fact that they show their IRS information is not too remarkable.
Just a little more information for you. I think someone (probably a reporter) is looking into this and at some point we will hear more about it.
I certainly hope Adam is not trying to pull a fast one. My gut tells me he isn’t as I think he is smarter than that, but then I don’t know him. If he is clueless,I wonder if he really knows who he is involved with?
When you read the article, read the comments….there is a comment from a man that was scammed by Olaf Hampel…very interesting. I bet the problem lies with him. He seems to be the bad guy in this.
Thanks again!
AKM
Oh and just in case you see my comment on the link I gave you….I made up a name (Erica). I was a little worried to give my real name since I had shared that email with UNIAF…never can be too sure about anything these days!
AKM are my real initials.
I would be happy to foward you the email I received as well as the one I sent UNIAF if you are interested.
Best wishes,
AKM
Tell the truth and shame the devil. Sorry you have such thin skin. Retarded is a perfectly correct word, look it up in a dictionary. It is a word that conveys it’s meaning very succinctly and leaves little room for doubt about its meaning. We are allowed so few words that do any more. We seem to want a language that is so weak that a paragraph is need to say something that one word expresses. Instead we have politically correct, Passive-Aggressive language that seeks to shame those who are not afflicted with what ever the the subject is, be it skin color, physical disability, mental disability. We are to be blind, but at the same time ever eager to make any accommodation to the person we are blind to. This world is full of people who unable to things most people do with ever having to think about it, (normal), over coming those disabilities is very commendable. It just as wrong to assign to disabled people incapability or feelings as if all have them.
My life has brought me in to contact with people who have almost all disabilities. My nature is to be respectful to all and in most cases people of all stripes have returned my respect, but I, from experience, do know there are people from any group you can devise that are just down right not using their abilities, limited or not, to be a descent person. They resort to anger and disrespect as first response, and are not by any means loving or kind.
And those who are offended by these terms have no problem using single, very pointed words to damn those they disagree with. Terms of hatred can be used at that time with no thought that there is any repercussion to them. The thought seems to be, well you are in the majority and therefore have no right to be offended because your presumed status insulates you from all harm. If any one isn’t to seen as member of a group, then no one should be seen as a member of a group. If I, in any way hurt anyones feeling sorry, but I happen to a member of one of worlds smallest minority.
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