Posted on by Coy Barefoot

Coy Barefoot reacts to Michael Savage’s remarks on autism

Coy Barefoot, the father of a six-year-old boy diagnosed with autism and the host of “Charlottesville–Right Now!” shares his reaction to the recent comments of talk show host Michael Savage as well as WINA’s decision yesterday to remove the Savage program from its schedule.

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21 Replies to “Coy Barefoot reacts to Michael Savage’s remarks on autism”

  1. This is a great commentary. Thanks for sticking up for the kids and for the dads that love them. My husband is amazing with our twin boys who have autism. We know so well the public meltdowns and the judgment of people who don’t understand. Thanks again for speaking out.

  2. Thank you Rick Daniels et al for pulling Michael Savage. He is a cruel person.

    Coy, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I can relate so much. Your passion in helping all of our kids is truly appreiated.

    best

    Teresa

  4. As someone who works in radio and has an autistic nephew, I stand and applaud not only you for your comments, but also your station for removing “The Savage Nation” from your lineup. I worked for KLIF in Dallas which also carries Savage for a number of years, and I know they will not pull the program because they are more concerned about money than they are integrity. I applaud any station that has the courage to stand up and say, “Michael Savage, you will not pollute our airwaves with your ignorance.”

  5. Thank you, Coy for sharing your experiences…and thank you to Rick Daniels and the rest of the management team of WINA for standing up for our kids.

    It does not happen nearly often enough.

  6. Thank yoy Coy for sharing your experience and thank you all in the management Team for standing up for our kids. It doesn’t happen often enough.

  7. Coy, your words go straight to the heart. We too know all too well the critical stares and the misunderstandings of people whose lives are not affected by autism. Thank you for your honesty and kudos to the station. I will be at the protest in SF Sunday outside of KNEW. Take care,
    Keri

  8. I was shocked and saddened over Mr Savages verbal attack on autism.
    those of us who have children who suffer from autism know first hand what its like dealing with tantrums and excessive crying and other bizarre behaviors! We knows 1st hand how hard it is to get services and how hard our kids try to be the best thing can be under tremendous stress in their worlds!
    Mr Savage has no idea what he has done, in one fell swoop he has underminded all education in awareness that we as parents have worked for , over the last 30 years!

    I thank this DJ for coming forward with his personal story and to the station for pulling Savage’s show!
    Sincerely
    a parent with someone with autism

  9. Each station that carries Savage on the airwaves needs to pay attention. We will not tolorate hate directed at our children. The children of the world have autism and the world is watching and listening.
    Siroma from Vancouver BC Canada

  10. First, let me say thank you for doing the right thing and pulling Michael Savage from your airwaves. You are now on my lists of stations to listen to when I travel. I will also be sending my recommondations to my friends in your area to listen to you.
    Next, let me say to Coy personally, as a mother of 2 autistic children I was touched by the loving quiver in your voice as you spoke of your children and I thank you for being willing to share your personal pains and sorrows so that we can make everyone realize that their ignorance about issues like autism hurts many more people then just those that are unable to speak out for themselves.

  11. Thank you for getting rid of Michael Wiener Savage.
    His orginal comment was made exactly how it was intened.
    But NOW that people are enraged at him,He now pretends to be an advocate for children.
    Autism is growing and parents dont need his Dangerous misiformation floatimg around the airwaves!
    Coy is a fantastic person to have on the air!
    There should be more people like him in this world.
    ~Mother of a 3 year old with Autism

  12. Thanks so much for standing up to fight on behalf of our kids.

    Also thanks for sharing your personal story.

    Daddy of a six year old boy with autism

  13. thanks for standing up to fight on behalf f our kids.

    Also thanks for sharing your personal story.

    Dad with 6 y.o. autisitc boy.

  14. Coy, Thank you so very much for your sharing of your heart-felt experience with your autistic son. I too have a son with autism. I understand the emotions all too well. I know the struggle of the children and have felt my heart breaking many times wondering what to do and how to help my son. Bless you, and bless your show for removing Mr. Savage from your airways. We do not need any more misunderstanding of our children…the journey is difficult enough. We need compassion and support. Mr. Savage has offered neither. Thanks again. Janet Keith of Greenville, SC

  15. Dear Coy, Thank you so very much for your sharing of your heart-felt experience with your autistic son. I too have a son with autism. I understand the emotions all too well. I know the struggle of the children and have felt my heart breaking many times wondering what to do and how to help my son. Bless you, and bless your show for removing Mr. Savage from your airways. We do not need any more misunderstanding of our children…the journey is difficult enough. We need compassion and support. Mr. Savage has offered neither. Thanks again. Janet Keith of Greenville, SC

  16. Coy,

    I can’t even put into words how much your words have touched me — the pain, the love for you son, the description of when your son regressed into autism.

    When my son Miles regressed shortly after his dad left for military duty and shortly after rec’ing his mmr shot, he would wake up sreaming and wanting to come to my room.

    Being the *new mom* I asked my friend who was an *expert on children* (she was teaching special education for, of all things, children with autism) if I should allow Miles to sleep with me?

    Suffice to say, she told me it was not a good idea and suggested I put a gate in his bedroom doorway — which I did.

    To this day, I will never get over the fact that I *allowed my son* to suffer his injuries ALONE because I had been told that he was *acting up* and I should discipline him by letting him stand at the gate and cry himself to sleep.

    So, yes. I know the pain. And I’m right there with you.

    Best,

    Kelli Ann Davis

  17. Well, I started crying when I heard Coy say “I remember the day my son stopped playing”, and I haven’t stopped yet. My son was diagnosed with autism almost 40 years ago, but I still remember all of those days too, and the pain of watching your child “go away” right in front of your eyes, and being powerless to stop it.
    Thank you so much for giving your audience a window into the world of autistic kids, and a moving declaration of a father’s love.

  18. As a teacher of students with Autism, I was outraged and also greatly saddened by Michael Savage’s remarks about Autism. I was proud to see the response of many Americans, many who have no contact with Autistic individuals, their outrage, their disgust, their sense of fairness and compassion. These children can be extremely difficult. It is easy for me to say that I have learned a great deal from them, to see the gifts they have to offer, because I can go home at the end of the day, yes, sometimes with bruises, scratches and swollen eyes from crying, but I can go home and refuel for the next day. The parents of Autistic children, never get a chance to refuel. They have to fight moment by moment for their children and for themselves. They have to fight against the education systems, the insurance industries, goverment, ignorant staring eyes. They have to defend themselves and their child to family, friends and strangers. They have to decline invitations to places they know their child is either unwelcome or that their child will not be able to tolerate. They have to leave church…in a hurry…run from the grocery store, purchases unmade, with a child in the middle of a meltdown. Every event, every daily activity has the potential for disaster. I sometimes think it must be like living in a war zone, having to be constantly on alert. And yet these parents despite ignorant people and the Michael Savages of the world, get up every morning, loving their children, fighting for their children and doing it all over again and again and again, finding rare moments of joy, accomplishment and peace. Michael Savage could only wish in his dreams to have that kind of determination, integrity and love, I pity him.

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