...if you are of a certain age, you might recognize this as the opening line of the Theme From Romeo and Juliet by Henry Mancini, 1969. No nasty comments about age, please.
Well, this is the day the the world lights up blue for International Autism Awareness Day!
Just look at the places that have lit it up blue!
Why blue? I don't know. Maybe it is because autism is prevalent in boys and the founders of Autism Speaks have a grandson on the spectrum?
Whatever. My porch will be lit up tonight and the rest of the month. How about you? Will you join me?
hugs,g
Showing posts with label Autism Awareness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Autism Awareness. Show all posts
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Awareness?
This is the first in my attempt to do the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Twenty-six days, twenty-six entries, one for each letter of the alphabet.
As April is Autism Awareness Month, I can see no way around starting off with an "awareness' blog.
At this point in time, I do believe that anyone who has access to communications is "aware" of the existence of autism. Overall, I find people to be quite kind when they learn my granddaughter is on the spectrum. Seems that everyone has someone they know who has been touched by this disorder.
This site, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html, will give you milestones your child ought to be reaching at certain ages. EARLY intervention is so very important to your child's development.
Awareness isn't just knowing that something exists; it is knowing about and dealing with the disorder as early as possible Did I say that already? I guess I really mean it!
Personally, I knew something was going on with my grandbaby before her first birthday. I still kick myself for not saying somethibng to my daughter sooner than I did. Better to be cautious than sorry.
Any questions? Looking forward to visiting and getting to know some of you. gail
As April is Autism Awareness Month, I can see no way around starting off with an "awareness' blog.
At this point in time, I do believe that anyone who has access to communications is "aware" of the existence of autism. Overall, I find people to be quite kind when they learn my granddaughter is on the spectrum. Seems that everyone has someone they know who has been touched by this disorder.
This site, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html, will give you milestones your child ought to be reaching at certain ages. EARLY intervention is so very important to your child's development.
Awareness isn't just knowing that something exists; it is knowing about and dealing with the disorder as early as possible Did I say that already? I guess I really mean it!
Personally, I knew something was going on with my grandbaby before her first birthday. I still kick myself for not saying somethibng to my daughter sooner than I did. Better to be cautious than sorry.
Any questions? Looking forward to visiting and getting to know some of you. gail
Monday, May 23, 2011
A Walk in the, uh, College Campus
Yesterday, we walked for Autism Speaks. The organization is not perfect but it a big help for families dealing with the autism spectrum.
As the team captain, the weeks leading up to the walk are stressful to me. I did nowhere near as much fundraising through sponsors as I did last year as I was paralyzed by what I saw as the immensity of it. It really isn't a big deal but, in my mind, it was of gargantuan proportions.
Last week, not only did my fms flare but my ibs decided to come along for the ride. Ugh. I am so thankful that I was able to nap and function well enough to do what I had to do.
Our team Isabella came out beautifully! The girl wanted pink but I put my foot down and we settled on orchid (pale purple). A couple of the guys were not thrilled but real men do wear purple!
How wonderful it was to have both our side of the family, Isabella's dad's side of the family and dear friends join us in support of our girl! Even my mother-in-love, who has issues with her legs, joined us in a wheelchair for the second year in a row! It was wonderful to push her along the 1.6 mile route.
After the walk, most of us broke bread at a local eatery and continued our fellowship and good time. Our girl, Bells, did so very well. We couldn't be prouder.
Will we walk again next year? As long as children are newly diagnosed, we have the strength and we are able, yes. Will I get all worked up? Probably. Let's just hope I start earlier and get more productive with corporate sponsorship!
blessings to all, g
As the team captain, the weeks leading up to the walk are stressful to me. I did nowhere near as much fundraising through sponsors as I did last year as I was paralyzed by what I saw as the immensity of it. It really isn't a big deal but, in my mind, it was of gargantuan proportions.
Last week, not only did my fms flare but my ibs decided to come along for the ride. Ugh. I am so thankful that I was able to nap and function well enough to do what I had to do.
Our team Isabella came out beautifully! The girl wanted pink but I put my foot down and we settled on orchid (pale purple). A couple of the guys were not thrilled but real men do wear purple!
How wonderful it was to have both our side of the family, Isabella's dad's side of the family and dear friends join us in support of our girl! Even my mother-in-love, who has issues with her legs, joined us in a wheelchair for the second year in a row! It was wonderful to push her along the 1.6 mile route.
After the walk, most of us broke bread at a local eatery and continued our fellowship and good time. Our girl, Bells, did so very well. We couldn't be prouder.
Will we walk again next year? As long as children are newly diagnosed, we have the strength and we are able, yes. Will I get all worked up? Probably. Let's just hope I start earlier and get more productive with corporate sponsorship!
blessings to all, g
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Welcome to Holland
WELCOME TO HOLLAND
byEmily Perl Kingsley.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
byEmily Perl Kingsley.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Success is Sweet
The Walk for Autism Speaks was a resounding success. Over 4000 people showed up and we are nearing the monetary goal set by our chapter. I was so proud of our team. Two people didn't show up for our team due to illness but two other adults and two children took their place unexpectedly!
Recently, I read that, in the future not so distant future, autism will be the health care issue to be more concerned about than elder care when it comes to finances. It's reported that every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed. Sounds like a pandemic to me because the autism rates are consistent around the world.
Himself and his fellow behavior detection officers at the airport were given training having to do with recognizing autistic behavior as opposed to someone just being obnoxious or mentally unstable, e.g. someone exhibiting echolalia. This type of training is taking place in police departments in some areas, too. It is wonderful to see!
Isabella looks at me and asks, "Do you love me?" Where that came from I will never know. I'll bet you know the answer! She is my heart.
Thank you for caring so much, dear ones. Bless you all.
Recently, I read that, in the future not so distant future, autism will be the health care issue to be more concerned about than elder care when it comes to finances. It's reported that every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed. Sounds like a pandemic to me because the autism rates are consistent around the world.
Himself and his fellow behavior detection officers at the airport were given training having to do with recognizing autistic behavior as opposed to someone just being obnoxious or mentally unstable, e.g. someone exhibiting echolalia. This type of training is taking place in police departments in some areas, too. It is wonderful to see!
Isabella looks at me and asks, "Do you love me?" Where that came from I will never know. I'll bet you know the answer! She is my heart.
Thank you for caring so much, dear ones. Bless you all.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A Walk in the Park
Tomorrow, we walk 1.3 miles to cap off a time of fundraising. My team and I have collected over two thousand dollars for the organization Autism Speaks which raises awareness, funds research and assists families in this "club" we belong to.
Did we choose autism? No. Do we want a cure? I do, some don't. We have a wonderful child in our lives who just happens to have autism. She sometimes makes gains in her journey bringing her more and more into this world and we see our girl's inner self emerge more. She is fun and happy and a joy in our lives.
Other families have no idea if their children are happy or if they know love. They seem to be far, far away in another world. It is for these children and for their loved ones, as much if not more than for our own, that we collect and walk and pray.
When autism speaks, are we able to listen? Sometimes only with our hearts.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Back in the Saddle
I am going to do my best to get back into the swing of blogging. Other on line activities have taken me away from my first love and I long to type more than one sentence at a time!
Recently, we had the yearly IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting at Isabella's school. It took a while for my daughter and me to understand that the system is taking away services while telling us how well Bells is doing. "Your child is doing well so we are going to reduce her time in school and take away her summer program." Huh? If it is working why change it? Bottom line, let's save money.
Budget cutting measures are made by people who aren't in the trenches. If they met these wonderful children would they be as quick to pull the rug out from under them? If they were to look into the eyes of the parents who are exhausted from the daily care of special needs children and from working full-time to put food on their tables could they justify the measures they are taking?
More and more I see the need for groups like Autism Speaks and P.O.A.C. which are on the front lines of defending the rights children on the autism spectrum. When I reached out, I was given information to help my daughter fight this I.E.P. and insist on getting Bells the services that are helping her to flourish.
On May 23rd, team Isabella will be walking for Autism Speaks. We hope to raise $1000 to help raise awareness of autism, education and research for a cure. If you wish to join us let me know! If you want to donate, great. What I ask for most is your support and encouragement for myself and any other families with members on the spectrum. Learn about autism. Reach out; give them a break if you are so inclined.
Awareness and education; our greatest weapons and our greatest defenses.
blessings from the trenches, gail
Recently, we had the yearly IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting at Isabella's school. It took a while for my daughter and me to understand that the system is taking away services while telling us how well Bells is doing. "Your child is doing well so we are going to reduce her time in school and take away her summer program." Huh? If it is working why change it? Bottom line, let's save money.
Budget cutting measures are made by people who aren't in the trenches. If they met these wonderful children would they be as quick to pull the rug out from under them? If they were to look into the eyes of the parents who are exhausted from the daily care of special needs children and from working full-time to put food on their tables could they justify the measures they are taking?
More and more I see the need for groups like Autism Speaks and P.O.A.C. which are on the front lines of defending the rights children on the autism spectrum. When I reached out, I was given information to help my daughter fight this I.E.P. and insist on getting Bells the services that are helping her to flourish.
On May 23rd, team Isabella will be walking for Autism Speaks. We hope to raise $1000 to help raise awareness of autism, education and research for a cure. If you wish to join us let me know! If you want to donate, great. What I ask for most is your support and encouragement for myself and any other families with members on the spectrum. Learn about autism. Reach out; give them a break if you are so inclined.
Awareness and education; our greatest weapons and our greatest defenses.
blessings from the trenches, gail
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Different, Not Less
As a rule, I don't cry. Well, maybe at the end of It's a Wonderful Life at the line, "To my big brother George; the richest man in town!"
However, tonight I cried like a baby. Himself and I watched the movie Temple Grandin on HBO. Claire Danes performance as the title character was brilliant.
Temple Grandin is a woman with autism. She didn't talk until she was four years old. Now in her early sixties, she graduated college, earned a Master's degree and has a PhD. She is a highly respected scientist and advocate for autism.
Why was I crying? Because the sky's the limit for my Isabella! She may never be a scientist or have a PhD but, although I have always had hope for her, this movie gave me even more. We don't know what is going on in Bells' mind; how she processes information. Hopefully, like Dr. Grandin, she will be able to tell us one day.
Don't give up! As Dr. Grandin said, people with autism are different, not less.
Thank you, HBO.
With faith and hope, g
However, tonight I cried like a baby. Himself and I watched the movie Temple Grandin on HBO. Claire Danes performance as the title character was brilliant.
Temple Grandin is a woman with autism. She didn't talk until she was four years old. Now in her early sixties, she graduated college, earned a Master's degree and has a PhD. She is a highly respected scientist and advocate for autism.
Why was I crying? Because the sky's the limit for my Isabella! She may never be a scientist or have a PhD but, although I have always had hope for her, this movie gave me even more. We don't know what is going on in Bells' mind; how she processes information. Hopefully, like Dr. Grandin, she will be able to tell us one day.
Don't give up! As Dr. Grandin said, people with autism are different, not less.
Thank you, HBO.
With faith and hope, g
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