Profiles of Massachusetts Members
	Clara Claiborne Park.   Without the hard work of Mrs. Park and other parents and professionals like her, the lives of children and adults would be far different.  Mrs. Park played a prominent role in the creation of the Autism Society of America.  In 1967 her groundbreaking book on autism, The Siege, was published and covered the early life of Jessy, her youngest child. At that time, autism was barely understood, and Mrs. Park worked hard to educate Jessy and break through the barriers of autism as best she could.  A follow-up book, Exiting Nirvana continues with Jessy, now an adult and a recognized artist, still struggling with the limitations autism imposes. Both books give vivid insight into the struggle of autism the hard work of dedicated family.  Mrs. Park continues to lecture on autism and in 1999 won the American society of Magazine Editors Award for Feature Writing for an article in American Scholar, also titled "Existing Nirvana."  Mrs. Park is also the author of Rejoining the Common Reader and You Are Not Alone.  To view the art of Jessy Park, please go to her website at www.JessicaPark.com.