This story just came in from the Autism Today newsletter. Enlightening for parents of all children, teachers too. I love the message to BELIEVE in your child, whether they have a diagnosis or not.
Jene Aviram develops communication tools for families @ Natural Learning Concepts.
YOUR CHILD IS FASCINATING. MY CHILD IS FASCINATING. ALL MY CHILDREN ARE FASCINATING.
ENCOURAGE….TEACH….INSPIRE….SUPPORT….WITNESS….DELIGHT….BELIEVE!
See the news story HERE. How about that headline? I swear it was the author’s choice, but it couldn’t have been cooler!! If you’re here for the first time because of the article, here is the Marineland story: READ To order a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs, click HERE. As you can imagine, it’s a book filled with heartwarming stories. (Great holiday or teacher gift!)
See the news story HERE. How about that headline? I swear it was the author’s choice, but it couldn’t have been cooler!! If you’re here for the first time because of the article, here is the Marineland story: READ To order a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs, click HERE. As you can imagine, it’s a book filled with heartwarming stories. (Great holiday or teacher gift!)
An exciting announcement: Just confirmed, the story I wrote here (and follow-up here) last fall about our visit to Marineland, is going to be published in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrates Children with Special Needs.
One of my readers suggested I send it in, so I did! Cool? Yes, very. It’s been edited a bit but they are including a picture, something new to me in these fine books. THIS is an honor that truly touches me. The book comes out October 2007. You can pre-order at Amazon or take advantage of a special through Autism Today: buy 2 get a 3rd free, HERE. (Sample stories available there too.)
And in case you missed the tiny clip I caught on my digital camera, look here. We are heading back to Marineland in one month, can’t wait to see our friends again!
An exciting announcement: Just confirmed, the story I wrote here (and follow-up here) last fall about our visit to Marineland, is going to be published in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrates Children with Special Needs.
One of my readers suggested I send it in, so I did! Cool? Yes, very. It’s been edited a bit but they are including a picture, something new to me in these fine books. THIS is an honor that truly touches me. The book comes out October 2007. You can pre-order at Amazon or take advantage of a special through Autism Today: buy 2 get a 3rd free, HERE. (Sample stories available there too.)
And in case you missed the tiny clip I caught on my digital camera, look here. We are heading back to Marineland in one month, can’t wait to see our friends again!
You’ve probably heard this one. The Starfish Story, author unknown:
A man was jogging down the beach after a major storm had just come through the area. He was dismayed by the huge number of starfish that the storm had washed up on the beach. He thought there was nothing he could do because of the immense numbers. As he continued down the beach he saw a woman throw something into the water. As he got closer, he saw the woman bend over, pick up a starfish and was about to throw it in the water. The man asked "Why are you doing that? There are thousands of starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly make a difference."
The woman looked at the starfish, threw is back into the water and said, "I made a difference to that one didn’t I?
One starfish at a time we can make a difference. As Autism Awareness month draws to a close I wanted to acknowledge all the people who touch Sam’s life, making a difference to him, and to our family. I know his teachers come here on occassion so this will be a surprise to them. To Maureen, Julie, and Dave, thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm for making Room 10 a success. You know our boys so well and constantly try to offer them the best in real life experiences in addition to their academics. Over the years I have had to offer Sam bribes to do certain things and the other day when I took him to the doctor my bribe was he could go back to school. Now that is cool. He loves it there. To Mrs. Gabler, Miss Rosie, Mrs. G, Mrs. B, Mr. O, Mr. C, all the staff at Schor, and especially the buddies, thank you for loving Sam like we do. It was a proud moment when the Room 10 boys sang the Star Spangled Banner at the school concert. In my heart I was thinking "Look at these Starfish, what a difference you all have made to embrace diversity. You applaud them singing on stage tonight, but you also act kind to them in the halls, and make school a place they want to be". One of many things I’m grateful for.
Several times, for end-of-the-year teacher gifts I have made something with a starfish and enclosed the story above. You don’t have to have a special needs child to see the meaning in it. Do you have someone who has made a difference in your life? Share the story, thank them, and then pay-it-forward by making a difference to someone, somewhere, somehow, soon.
I had planned to show you this video as part of Autism Awareness. It’s a song by Five for Fighting, and by viewing this clip the band will donate $.49 with each play to Autism Speaks. With the tragedy at Virginia Tech it is a fitting song to listen to…..What can one say at a time like this? Music is always my comfort, so I offer this. PEACE.
Got a package full of Wishes
A Time machine, a Magic Wand
A Globe made out of Gold
No Instructions or Commandments
Laws of Gravity or
Indecisions to uphold
Printed on the box I see
A.C.M.E.’s Build-a-World-to-be
Take a chance – Grab a piece
Help me to believe it
What kind of world do you want?
Think Anything
Let’s start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now…
Should there be people or peoples
Money, Funny pedestals for Fools who never pay
Raise your Army – Choose your Steeple
Don’t be shy, the satellites can look the other way
Lose the Earthquakes – Keep the Faults
Fill the oceans without the salt
Let every Man own his own Hand
What kind of world do you want
Think Anything
Let’s start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now…
Sunlight’s on the Bridge
Sunlight’s on the Way
Tomorrow’s Calling
There’s more to this than Love
What Kind of world do you want
What Kind of world do you want
What Kind of world do you want
Think Anything
Let’s start at the start
Build a masterpiece
History Starts Now
(by Five for Fighting)
We woke up to a sunny day, praise God. After last year’s party with pouring rain, and the forecast of a Nor-easter on the way, we were lucky to have a day of sun. With the five boys from Room 10, fifteen buddies, six teachers, (3 came with their dogs) and our family, we had a lovely day outside! Sam hauled in lots of loot and had a terrific day.
Last year I passed out Autism Awareness bracelets in the goodie bag. This year I made bracelets with an "X", the Roman Numeral for 10. Since the boys are from Room 10 I thought it would be a clever way for the buddies to show they are in the clan. But really, they deserve a "10" for being such cool kids, befriending and encouraging our special boys.
If you would have called our house yesterday to wish Sam a "Happy Birthday" he would have replied "Why Thank You!", like a little gentleman. Who knows where that came from but it made many of us smile as he enjoyed his day, especially after Easter brunch was cleared away and it was time for ordering pizza.
Before Graham’s sister Sandra and her family left we took them to Rain Forest Cafe on Friday. A last night out, complete with Volcano dessert ordered for Sam. This birthday of his started early and will extend a week when we have the classmates and buddies come on Saturday for a party. So the Volcano comes to the table with the waiters making quite a hoopla and Sam gets all shy…..then later says "You surprised me!" Such spontaneous commentary, making me smile. The men were off on the train to the city for a R&R concert and we headed toward Build-a-bear so our niece Molly, age 5 could make a bunny. I hadn’t been there in years since Fallon, now 11, has outgrown the adventure.
What I didn’t expect was that Sam would join in! A Cat-in-the-Hat lured him in and soon we were at the filling station. HERE’S THE COOL THING: This month, for Autism Awareness, you can purchase a purple satin heart, proceeds going to Autism Speaks, to imbed in your animal. Sam smothered the heart in kisses and buried it in the Cat, and soon was skipping off with his newest beloved. Thing 1 and Thing 2 were added to the basket and I had one happy camper. To most people in the mall that night it might have seemed a little odd to see my now 15 year old carrying around his Cat-in-the-Hat, waving a hand saying "happy birthday". But for us, it was infectious to witness the pure joy in his heart.
I have always found it fitting that April is Autism Awareness month as we celebrate Sam’s birthday. Last year we had a HUGE party at the house with his classmates, teachers, and handfulls of buddies who come to help out in Room 10. These kids are so awesome and have made it Cool to be Kind – boys and girls who sign up to participate in activities throughout the day with our special boys. Having the party in April gives me the chance to thank them and to say a word about how cool it is to be in a school that embraces diversity. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain this Saturday like last year. Our home burst at the seams with 30+ guests last year 🙂
One last word today about Sam-the-Man. Check him out in a TIE! His first tie ever! I never thought he’d actually do it. I had to warm him up to it for several days. He still seemed resistant to the idea until it came time to get on the shirt….and he let me do it! He was so proud as we pulled up to the church to see one of his teachers, Mr. Dave, get married last week. Look how handsome the Room 10 boys look! I was so happy, I can’t even tell you.
(The Sam-I-Am toy in top picture came from Kohl’s, available last xmas, and Cat-in-the-Hat is from Builda-bear.)
She’s doing it!
She’s making a difference!
Ali is raising awareness, raising funds, and is making a huge donation to Autism Speaks on behalf of those who contribute.
Here’s the thing – Kevin Bacon’s Six Degrees Network will match her total if she’s in the top 6 at the end of March. He even mentions HER on Ellen today. (Take a look!)
HELLO? She’s in the top 3. BRAVO ALI!!! Thanks to ALL who have made donations, and those who will…..it’s time to solve this puzzle!
I don’t know how to make a badge link thingie in my sidebar so you’ll have to follow link from here.
(Photo of Simon Edwards from the 6 Degrees Badge for Autism Speaks, created by Ali Edwards)
EDIT: Tonight on CNN, Larry King will be hosting Toni Braxton and Bill Cosby to talk about AUTISM.
EDIT AGAIN: Autism Speaks Co-founder Suzanne Wright will appear on CNN’s "Larry King Live" to discuss autism on Wed., March 21, 2007 at 9 p.m. EDT. Wright will appear along with Bill Cosby and Toni Braxton, the stars of the upcoming Concert for Autism Speaks on April 9 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Braxton was recently named national celebrity spokesperson for Autism Speaks.
See details for the concert, and get more info on Autism Speaks: HERE
