Day Dreams from an Autistic Mind

Things tend to spread like wildfire on the net, with social networking fanning the flames... sometimes, there are jewels, like this gem from a Facebook page, Day Dreams from an Autistic Mind (click on the image to enlarge):

I loved the way this mom so succinctly summed up the challenges we face from those on the outside looking our way, and more importantly the sole reason we do what we do - for the love of our children.

Because I recognized the images are personal (with the exception of the upper center and cartoon), I contacted the mom to request permission to share her message and inspiration. She kindly obliged and included the following about her family:

"I am a mother of two children, Emma is 4 1/2 and Lukas is 3. He was diagnosed with Autism on November 17, 2011. He is moderately Autistic. He is also nonverbal. As soon as we found out we put him in early intervention that changed our lives. He is very smart and very clever. He is now in an Integrated Preschool using the TEACHH program and he gets OT, PT and ST. He is am amazing little boy and I love him just the way he is."

Thanks to Emma and Lukas's awesome mom for reminding us what it's all about! =)

Apples, Oranges & Supported Employment

With all the talk of community support, naturally the issue of supported employment for persons with intellectual / developmental disabilities comes up... After all, doesn't everyone need to be needed and have a sense of accomplishment? Does not every life have a purpose?

A while back, I met with NC Representative Bill Current to discuss my concerns surrounding the statewide Medicaid overhaul and the recipients and families who will be affected. Dr. Current, a retired dentist, is a kindly conservative southern gentleman rooted firmly in his strong beliefs of integrity and hard work among other things - and does not hesitate to share his views regardless of yours (much like my late grandfather, a WWII veteran and former magistrate). I liked him immediately.

We chatted briefly about UNC (his alma mater), UNC basketball, and changing times in the field of dentistry before settling down for business. Before I could get started, Dr. Current was quick to share with me his position regarding government handouts and free for alls. I listened quietly as he spoke and then I told him,

"I agree completely."

I highlighted for him my 7 years as a struggling single parent raising a young child with disabilities without child support or much of any other... of undergoing a major back surgery when my child did not walk, going back to school, working and eventually buying my first home on my own - never once receiving government assistance, because I made too much money to qualify and some months, not even enough to live on.

I told him I knew exactly what he was talking about, that I could fill up a page on his legal pad with names of people I knew on welfare or capable persons receiving disability who have made a career mooching off the system, residing in supplemented housing and living and eating far better than my own family and driving brand new SUVs - and my husband and I work our butts off.

"But let's separate the apples from the oranges. I'm talking about a population of people who would do absolutely anything to be able to work, give back, and have a sense of independence, pride and accomplishment. People who desperately want to have just a taste of what the rest us us take for granted every day..."

So, today when I saw this image from The Arc of San Francisco, promoting supported employment through their We Can Do It program, I could not help but smile all the way through! It is absolutely, positively AWESOME and I LOVE IT!