"Open Every Door" – An Autism Song by Nimal Mendis

Sri Lanka-born superstar, Nimal Mendis recently released ‘Open Every Door,’ a song for autism. Mendis has created history by being the first South Asian singer/songwriter to compose a song on autism. He hopes that the song will create even more awareness about the condition.Mendis has backed the work of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. A copy of ‘Open Every Door’ was presented to Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons. Leading British parliamentarian, Lee Scott MP for Ilford North who is championing the cause of autism in Westminster was also presented with a copy of ‘Open Every Nimal Mendis Song For Autism ‘Open Every Door’

Mendis has urged parliamentarians of all parties to do more for people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in the United Kingdom. There are 587,900 people with autism in the UK. In London alone there are 15,000 people with autism from minority ethnic communities – including the Sri Lankan Community.According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children may haveautism spectrum disorder. In Sri Lanka they say there are 39,000 children with autism who have virtually no access to education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

Nimal Mendis is an award winning singer songwriter. In the 1960s he released 22 pop songs on the Decca label in London. He appeared on BBC TV’s ‘Top of the Pops’ television programme with Sandra Edema singing his hit, ‘Feel like a Clown.’ One of his compositions reached Number One in the Radio Luxembourg Charts in the height of the 1960s. Mendis has also produced television documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC Television covering a range of issues including human rights and poverty.

Swift action needed for autism strategy

Swift action needed for autism strategy

The following is a letter to Andy Scott, MP for Fredericton.

If at all possible, could you at some point address the House with the following:

As a member of the Canadian Forces, I have served to honour the ideals and freedoms that we all enjoy as Canadians. As a father of an autistic child, I relate to the struggles of families across Canada who are touched by autism. I respectfully ask that the government respond to the Senate recommendations regarding the autism crisis in Canada with swift action towards the implementation of a national autism strategy.

There is much to be done to address the immediate needs of autistic individuals of all ages. This is the great passion that I have to serve my provincial autism society at the federal level.

BRIAN RIMPILAINEN

Fredericton

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