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Letters to the Town Board - medical consideration of wind turbines

Reprinted here with permission of the authors

Stony Brook Pediatrics, P.C., FAAP

15 December 2005

Re: Tyler Bush

DOB- 4 November 1990

To Whom it May Concern,

Tyler Bush is a 15 year old young male with classic autism. Tyler's disability is quite severe. It is imperative that Tyler and his environment be quite structured and routine. At the present time, Tyler's program includes both home and school. In both environments, there is a daily routine and the physical layout is rarely changed. Because of Tyler's autism he is exquisitely sensitive to external stimuli such as touch, noise, and taste.

It is my understanding that there is the possibility of a windmill being placed in Tyler's environment. Specifically, Tyler would be able to hear the noise produced by the windmill. Because of the extra sensitivity to sound that Tyler exhibits because of his autism, it may very well cause Tyler to have behavioral difficulties and may impede the ability for him to live in that home. I strongly recommend that extra consideration be given to accommodate Tyler's disability, as placement of the windmill is considered.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

Sincerely,

Joan E. Flender, M.D.

It is not only the health and welfare of my son this board should consider. Dr. Flender has also told me there are between 10 and 20 other children with autism in Springwater and surrounding towns. I have no doubt there will be more to come in our future. Statistics show that 1 out of every 226 children now is diagnosed with autism. Will they have to withstand the noise or will it be the flickering they will be forced to endure?

There is also the health of area residents with pacemakers to be considered as stated in the last public hearing. How many of these people there are, I have no idea, but even one should make you extremely fearful of the consequence.

These towers were originally conceived for isolated areas as Carolyn Tinney has already stated. Were they thinking then how these towers would affect residents who already had health problems or neurological disorders? I doubt it. It is up to you to think about the many people of Springwater whose health may be greatly effected  by the installation of these towers.

Thank you,

Katherine Bush

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