Donation protected
SUPPORT FUND TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE LIVING WITH AUTISM
“I don't think based on your son's autism that it would be a good fit."
To any mother, watching your child be openly and publicly discriminated against is unimaginable and devastating. Kismutt Dog Rescue has made this a heartbreaking reality for my family.
My name is Erin. I’m a business executive, a wife, and most importantly, a mother to my wonderful nine-year-old son, who is on the autism spectrum.
To know my son is to know a loving, empathetic boy who would not so much as hurt a fly.
We have always wanted to welcome a dog again into our family but wanted to wait until we knew our son was ready. When he expressed that he wanted a dog, we were very excited to start the process of adoption. What we didn’t expect was the inequity, discrimination, and harassment we experienced.
When we reached out to Kismutt Dog Rescue, we were told that they have a policy in which they do not send dogs to homes with autistic children. When I pushed back, they responded publicly and used my name before spreading misinformation and stereotypes about autism.
After multiple attempts to educate Kismutt about their discriminatory views, their response became increasingly hateful, expressing that autism is just a label used for kids that are misbehaved and that mothers of children with autism are “nutters”.
Because of Kismutt’s continued discrimination and lack of willingness to learn and grow, I have no option but to fight back , through filing a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario – so that no parent has to be told their kid is not worthy of an animal’s love because of their disability.
I am fighting Kismutt’s discrimination to raise autism awareness and acceptance, and to fight for the rights of those with autism and their families. This fight is against the stigma, misinformation and discrimination that was displayed and perpetuated by Kismutt Dog Rescue.
The actions and words expressed by Kismutt were violations of both basic decency and Ontario’s legal protections for those living with disabilities — especially from a human rights and disability discrimination perspective.
Today, I’m asking for your help to ensure that this type of discrimination ends with my family – I am asking for financial support to make a change for the greater good of all those living with autism and their families.
Any excess funds raised will be donated to various autism-related organizations providing supports and advocating for social change for those living with autism and their families.
Thank you for reading our story.
Erin Doan
“I don't think based on your son's autism that it would be a good fit."
To any mother, watching your child be openly and publicly discriminated against is unimaginable and devastating. Kismutt Dog Rescue has made this a heartbreaking reality for my family.
My name is Erin. I’m a business executive, a wife, and most importantly, a mother to my wonderful nine-year-old son, who is on the autism spectrum.
To know my son is to know a loving, empathetic boy who would not so much as hurt a fly.
We have always wanted to welcome a dog again into our family but wanted to wait until we knew our son was ready. When he expressed that he wanted a dog, we were very excited to start the process of adoption. What we didn’t expect was the inequity, discrimination, and harassment we experienced.
When we reached out to Kismutt Dog Rescue, we were told that they have a policy in which they do not send dogs to homes with autistic children. When I pushed back, they responded publicly and used my name before spreading misinformation and stereotypes about autism.
After multiple attempts to educate Kismutt about their discriminatory views, their response became increasingly hateful, expressing that autism is just a label used for kids that are misbehaved and that mothers of children with autism are “nutters”.
Because of Kismutt’s continued discrimination and lack of willingness to learn and grow, I have no option but to fight back , through filing a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario – so that no parent has to be told their kid is not worthy of an animal’s love because of their disability.
I am fighting Kismutt’s discrimination to raise autism awareness and acceptance, and to fight for the rights of those with autism and their families. This fight is against the stigma, misinformation and discrimination that was displayed and perpetuated by Kismutt Dog Rescue.
The actions and words expressed by Kismutt were violations of both basic decency and Ontario’s legal protections for those living with disabilities — especially from a human rights and disability discrimination perspective.
Today, I’m asking for your help to ensure that this type of discrimination ends with my family – I am asking for financial support to make a change for the greater good of all those living with autism and their families.
Any excess funds raised will be donated to various autism-related organizations providing supports and advocating for social change for those living with autism and their families.
Thank you for reading our story.
Erin Doan
Organizer
Erin Doan
Organizer
Listowel, ON