It is good to have 'anonymous' commentors (UPDATE: I have since stopped these comments being allowed, see comment section) here so that those with hate or disdain that needs to get out, can feel better about themselves while hiding.
We are not hiding, we have put ourselves 'out there' for the public to thank or criticize. We knew the risks and have gained new friends and have also lost 'friends' and 'family' over our media exposure.
The AutismBites Foundation, we are attempting to get off the ground, is NOT just about us. It will be a real 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. The Autism research money, as quoted here below, is needed. But, whether some believe it our not, family's ARE DEVASTATED FINANCIALLY BY AUTISM!
We get email everyday from families struggling with how to afford treatments, education and just basic needs. Why can't families have donated money put directly into THEIR hands. Do they not know their own needs best? President Bush and the Congress have agreed that Americans need money to be put directly into THEIR hands. Are parents of Autistic children less deserving?
We are not making any money from the AutismBites Foundation. If that changes we'll let you know. We do make some profits from the sale of the AutismBites t-shirts however. Does GM make profits on cars? Does McDonald's make profits from selling hamburgers? Does Apple ipods make money for them? Does Microsoft make a profit on sales? Sure they do. Do those companies also make donations to worthy causes? Yes.
We are no different, so far our scale is much smaller though.
So if you don't like what you see here and that it's some sort of injustice to society, pandering or lazy parents looking for a hand out... go away. We are not going to listen to whining about "it's all about the money" or "where do you get those figures" (from Autism Speaks facts of Autism sheet) or "Stop begging people for money"... anymore. It's just not true.
Take your hate and obvious ignorant comments and tell them to someone who cares. Parents of Autistic children have enough stress in their lives then having to deal with the likes of you.
I shall now return to my "life of sunshine and lollipops".
Dad
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Autism Funding Facts
Incidence vs. Private Funding
- Leukemia: affects 1 in 25,000 / Funding: $310 Million
- Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000 / Funding: $175 Million
- Pediatric Aids: Affects 1 in 8,000 / Funding: $394 Million
- Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding $130 Million
- Autism: Affects 1 in 150 / Funding: Approx. $116 Million
These figures are for research mainly, I can find NO numbers for helping the Mom's and Dad's that are being financially devastated every day by Autism.
Go back to our main website http://www.autismbites.com/ and click the AutismBites Foundation page. We are doing what we can to put into place something that could alleviate some of the financial stress on the parents. If you can do nothing else, please buy one of our AutismBites t-shirts and give it to a family. They'll have a shirt that will reduce the 'looks and comments' when out in public. And we are setting aside a large portion of our proceeds from the sales to get the AutismBites Foundation and parent support groups up and running.
If you know a good 'non-profits' lawyer that can do some pro-bono work... send them our way. Thanks!
Dad
- Leukemia: affects 1 in 25,000 / Funding: $310 Million
- Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000 / Funding: $175 Million
- Pediatric Aids: Affects 1 in 8,000 / Funding: $394 Million
- Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding $130 Million
- Autism: Affects 1 in 150 / Funding: Approx. $116 Million
These figures are for research mainly, I can find NO numbers for helping the Mom's and Dad's that are being financially devastated every day by Autism.
Go back to our main website http://www.autismbites.com/ and click the AutismBites Foundation page. We are doing what we can to put into place something that could alleviate some of the financial stress on the parents. If you can do nothing else, please buy one of our AutismBites t-shirts and give it to a family. They'll have a shirt that will reduce the 'looks and comments' when out in public. And we are setting aside a large portion of our proceeds from the sales to get the AutismBites Foundation and parent support groups up and running.
If you know a good 'non-profits' lawyer that can do some pro-bono work... send them our way. Thanks!
Dad
Monday, March 10, 2008
A Life that is all Sunshine and Lollipops
It's been a fun ride these past few weeks. Some have said we have put out our 'dirty laundry' for all the world to see. I don't see my innocent children that way and it gets the hair on the back of my neck very bristled. Those we thought closest to us have either ignored, supported or want nothing more to do with us. The last part hurts the most.
But, Robin and I will continue on as we had decided before all this attention that we set in motion. Now we know who our true friends and family are. We do have a BUNCH more new friends that we are very grateful for.
We've had the positive and the negative and we prefer the positive. We want to be healthy and not full of negative cancerous tumors. So, from now our life will be "A Life that is all Sunshine and Lollipops", whenever we come across negative people and comments we will delete, trash and ignore.
We are doing this mainly for our children and the better life we hope to provide for them. If we can be an example for others... thanks for the complement! If we can achieve our 3 step mission regarding Autism, it'll be that much better.
Dad
P.S. BTW, Mom's not been well lately and I've been working hard to clear up my 2 months of bronchitis and get back to the working world. So, we apologize for not posting as often as we would like to.
But, Robin and I will continue on as we had decided before all this attention that we set in motion. Now we know who our true friends and family are. We do have a BUNCH more new friends that we are very grateful for.
We've had the positive and the negative and we prefer the positive. We want to be healthy and not full of negative cancerous tumors. So, from now our life will be "A Life that is all Sunshine and Lollipops", whenever we come across negative people and comments we will delete, trash and ignore.
We are doing this mainly for our children and the better life we hope to provide for them. If we can be an example for others... thanks for the complement! If we can achieve our 3 step mission regarding Autism, it'll be that much better.
Dad
P.S. BTW, Mom's not been well lately and I've been working hard to clear up my 2 months of bronchitis and get back to the working world. So, we apologize for not posting as often as we would like to.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
God Bless the Parents Who Drugged Us
A friend sent me this story that I just had to pass on:
"The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question.
'Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?'
I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.
I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cocklebur's out of dad's fields.
I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place."
She didn't say who the author was, but they sure hit this right on.
Dad
"The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question.
'Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?'
I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.
I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cocklebur's out of dad's fields.
I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place."
She didn't say who the author was, but they sure hit this right on.
Dad
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Our David Archuleta and American Idol Connection
If any of you watch American Idol like we do, you've probably noticed the great voice of David Archuleta. At our home he is our choice for going all the way.
Our connection?
David and his family live just about 3 blocks from our house. Bobby, our 14 yr old, is in the same Boy Scout troop as David's younger brother. You've probably noticed that on America Idol they say David is from Murray, Utah. If you've seen our People magazine article is says we live in Murray, Utah (a suburb on Salt Lake City).
We've seen their family at Boy Scout functions and church as well. In fact, Robin, about a year and a half ago heard him perform a hymn at a church event. She said he had the voice of an angel and was pretty much swooning in the pew. Afterwards she approached the then 15 year old David and told him he is an INCREDIBLE singer and has one of the most beautiful voices she has ever heard. He then smiled his now well known sweet, boyish and slightly shy smile.
She said she's an aspiring screen writer and she would love to have him sing in her movies and would he be interested. He expressed some interest, so he gave her an email address to keep in touch. When she heard that he was going to be on Amercian Idol, she was very exited. She's watching the show now just to hear David, and watch him win it ALL. She still hasn't used David's email, and probably won't use it more than once now--just to wish him well. She says she probably won't be able to afford him now that he's already a super star. Have you noticed how the girls go CRAZY when that boy hits the stage?! Wow, this kid's amazing. Don't forget to vote for our boy David Archuleta!
What's next for us? Another busy week. On Monday. we have a film crew from Inside Edition coming. Then. our documentary film crew is here from Thursday to Saturday. Filming will not be complete until May. Our hour long story on Discovery Health will premiere in October of this year.
Dad
Our connection?
David and his family live just about 3 blocks from our house. Bobby, our 14 yr old, is in the same Boy Scout troop as David's younger brother. You've probably noticed that on America Idol they say David is from Murray, Utah. If you've seen our People magazine article is says we live in Murray, Utah (a suburb on Salt Lake City).
We've seen their family at Boy Scout functions and church as well. In fact, Robin, about a year and a half ago heard him perform a hymn at a church event. She said he had the voice of an angel and was pretty much swooning in the pew. Afterwards she approached the then 15 year old David and told him he is an INCREDIBLE singer and has one of the most beautiful voices she has ever heard. He then smiled his now well known sweet, boyish and slightly shy smile.
She said she's an aspiring screen writer and she would love to have him sing in her movies and would he be interested. He expressed some interest, so he gave her an email address to keep in touch. When she heard that he was going to be on Amercian Idol, she was very exited. She's watching the show now just to hear David, and watch him win it ALL. She still hasn't used David's email, and probably won't use it more than once now--just to wish him well. She says she probably won't be able to afford him now that he's already a super star. Have you noticed how the girls go CRAZY when that boy hits the stage?! Wow, this kid's amazing. Don't forget to vote for our boy David Archuleta!
What's next for us? Another busy week. On Monday. we have a film crew from Inside Edition coming. Then. our documentary film crew is here from Thursday to Saturday. Filming will not be complete until May. Our hour long story on Discovery Health will premiere in October of this year.
Dad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
