James Cucek
James Cucek is a gifted pianist. He should be, has been playing the piano since age four. James is a savant. He also has autism. While these things are interesting, his real claim to "fame" has been the battle he and his parents, Linda and Stan Cucek, are waging with the Canadian government to keep its promise to provide funding for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training for James. ABA is typically offered to children and Canada has a generous plan for providing such services for children below age six but offers little for adults with autism. That's what this battle is all about. The Cuceks are not begrudging services for children but want the services to continue to meet the practical needs of adults with autism also. They have enlisted some "big guns" to help in their fight: Kim Peek (the inspiration for the movie Rainman) and his father, Fran Peek, an activist for autism services. They have visited with the Cuceks and have written letters of support. Not that Linda Cucek is a helpless female, she is a former U.S. Marine and fully capable of fighting the battle to its finish. Semper Fi! God bless the Cuceks!
A message from Linda Cucek: "James' court case is coming up November 12, 13, 14 Human Rights Tribunal, also December and January. Pray that we win. I know God is on our side."
Update: "The Government lawyer has changed the dates for the Human Rights Court:
Human Rights court dates will be: End of June and early July, 2004."
4-17-04 Update: Canada's Premier has "promised" Linda Cucek that he would pusue Lovaas treatment for James but later reneged on this promise. To see and hear his promise click on "The Promise" link:
"The Promise"
August 12, 2004 Update: "The Human Rights Court, has again delayed James court case to May 24, 2005 to June 10, 2005. Tentative dates: June 13-17, 2005."
November 25, 2004 Update: While the Supreme Court has ruled against the Cuceks, they are not giving up the fight:
James and "Rainman"
January 2005 Update
Mother Told To Go To US To Get Help For Son
At long last it appears that James may get the ABA treatment he needs. Read on:
Local Autistic Adult Offered ABA
Update: November 2005: James and his parents were presented with a Person-Centered Support Proposal that will provide James with the ABA training his parents have been fighting for! Praise the Lord! To view the proposal, click HERE. Please continue to pray for James' success and healing. May God bless all of you who have cared and prayed!
To hear a James Cucek composition click here (Note: Hit your "Back" button to return to The Autism Home Page):
Autism composed by James Cucek.MID (11712 bytes)
The Troubles of Life With Autism
To write an email of support, you may contact Stan, Linda, and James Cucek at this email:
lindacucek@telus.net
Read an editorial in support of the Cucek's fight to obtain services for James and see what you can do to help (Click the PDF file link, below):
Please Help the Cuceks
Scotiabank Address:
SCOTIABANK
BRANCH MISSION CITY, B.C.
33217 FIRST ST.
MISSION CITY, BC, V2V 4L1
(Phone: 604-820-5475)
Click the link below to view our picture album of the Cuceks, the Peeks, and to read newspaper and magazine articles on their struggle.
The James Cucek Album
Disclaimer: The material shared on this web site and the James Cucek Album is the property of Stan and Linda Cucek and is used by permission. Any copying of this material is prohibited without the express, written permission of Stan and Linda Cucek.
