Marathon Blog

End Insurance Discrimination in New York

Charlie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:56:40 +0000

Most insurance companies treat therapies for autism spectrum disorders the same way they’d treat a broken arm… limiting the number of treatment sessions on a “per condition” basis. Apparently, they’re not aware that autism spectrum disorders don’t knit together quite as neatly as a non-displaced fracture of the tibia and fibula.

Thankfully, the legislature is finally getting around to doing something about that. There’s a bill currently making the rounds in Albany that would require insurance companies doing business in New York to provide proper care and screening for autism spectrum disorders — sort of a no-brainer, given recent studies showing that autism spectrum disorders now affect 1 in 110 kids.

“Parents across New York and around the country are paying for health insurance that denies them the services they need the most,” said Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks. “Families are literally going broke trying to give children the therapies they need and deserve to meet their full potential. It’s time that we eliminate this unfair burden and end insurers’ blatant discrimination against children with autism.”

“This bill has the potential to be one of the most comprehensive autism insurance laws in the country,” said Peter Bell, executive vice president of programs & services for Autism Speaks. ”It provides coverage for treatments for individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. Furthermore, since many national and regional companies are headquartered in New York, this legislation has the potential to extend to thousands of individuals across the country thereby having a major impact on the national autism community.”

To read more about this bill, and for information on contacting your local representatives, please visit AutismVotes.org.

Make a Donation

Charlie — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:17:40 +0000

The reason we’re running this race — aside from the fact that running marathons is pretty cool, an excellent way to get into shape, and something I always wanted to be able to say I’ve done — is to raise money for Autism Speaks.

If you’d like to make a donation, please visit this page and give what you can.

Follow Us on Facebook

Charlie — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:09:58 +0000

We’ve started a fan page on Facebook for anyone who would like to follow our progress as they’re managing their farms and/or mafia families. Check out http://www.facebook.com/charlieandstevemarathon and become a fan today.

The 18 Inch Training Run

Charlie — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:43:31 +0000

I was all set to get back to training last night.

Got the kids to bed at a reasonable hour.
Dug up my iPod and got it fully charged.
Found the little sleeve for my Nike Plus sensor.
Opened up the new watch I got for Christmas, set it to the correct time.

I drove over to the gym, and as I got out of the car, started the iPod so it would recognize the new Nike Plus sensor and start recording my mileage. Before reaching the gym door, I was all set to step on the treadmill and start shaking off months of rust.

You see there this is going, don’t you? The door. Locked. Planet Fitness closes at 7pm on weekends.

I look down at my iPod, and see that it has recorded my workout. I ran eighteen inches.

I’m hoping that’s not an omen.