Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Interesting and inspiring news story

I saw this on ABC news tonight and it is really inspiring although a bit sad that our kids may be feeling awful things when they stim and that is the only way they can express it.

If you have time, copy and paste the link to read about Carly and her story.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Story?id=4311223&page=1

An update on us

Just a little update on us. We are moving to San Diego in a little over a month! I'm so excited because I have heard wonderful things about EI there including ABA. I am really hoping that we get an ABA therapist soon and that Austin will get more intensive therapy and following that, more progress. :)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Currently Pi$$ed @ CBS!

Received this via email today and needless to say CBS shouldn't have aired the comment. I read that CBS is not responsible for the opinions of their contestants but nevertheless, they are responsible for editing and showing what they do. I'm glad someone has brought this to attention even if I don't watch this particular program. I am truly disgusted. I hope this guy ends up having to leave the show and gets fired from what I am told is a PR manager position for the United Autism Foundation. He should be definitely not be working for or anywhere near our children. See Below:

Hi everyone. The new season of Big Brother has begun on CBS. One of the players, Adam, works in public relations and claims to work with autistic children. On last night's show, he was telling the other houseguests about a haircutting place he wanted to start for special needs kids. Sounds great, right? He then said "So all the retards can get it together and get their hair cut". Yes, that's right, he referred to children on the autism spectrum as "retards". When later confronted by another houseguest, Adam was completely unapologetic and, in fact, stated he works with "them", so he can call them whatever he wants. As the parent of a special needs child, one with autism who is not mentally retarded, I cannot put into words how that comment cut through me. To think that someone involved in working with or for our children would laughingly refer to them as retards makes me sick. Even worse than the comment, however, was CBS's decision to air it on television, with no regard to the feelings of people living with autism. It was a decision surely made for ratings and controversy and one they should be made aware was wrong. I've already written to them and if you have a moment and feel some outrage, would ask you to do the same and to pass this message along to anyone else you think would care.

To do it online you can follow this link: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml.

To mail a letter, you can use this address:
CBS Television Network
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019

And to call you can use this number 212-975-4321

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

A nice day for a walk

WOW! Today was actually higher than 50 something degrees so we went for a walk to the park and just around our neighborhood. We haven't really been out like that for a few months due to the cold weather and I can definitely see some improvements in Austin. Mere months ago, he didn't really pay attention to things around him outside but today he got really excited about the birds, squirrels, dogs, and even cars driving past us! He looked everytime I pointed out something which is just amazing. I can remember trying to point out squirrels when we lived in Illinois but he just didn't really follow my pointing. Also, at the park, I let him just run around and play and he actually was interested in the park equipment. A few months ago, he would have just tried to run off but he stayed near me and in the park the entire time! YAY!! I can't wait for warmer days!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Martha Stewart

I saw 2 posts on GFCF mommy and GFCF mama about this and just thought I would take time to blog on it as well. The more people who see it & vote the better! And even though we are not GFCF anymore doesn't mean we won't be in the future.

So here is the scoop: Martha Stewart had a company wide competition for employees to come up with ideas for new project. It has come down to 7 finalists and one of them is an editor who wants to create a magazine that caters to people that have food allergies such as nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, etc...

Please copy and paste this link and vote every day to help out! BTW, when I voted tonight, this was the idea in the lead!

http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/martha/2008/01/the-big-idea.html?rsc=todaysidea_Homepage_Homepage