Thursday, March 27, 2008

Where's My Lollipop?

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

16 comments:

Shanna Grimes said...

I think what you are doing is great. Don't listen to the nay sayers. They don't have a clue of what it's like to deal with SN children. Keep up the good work!

Have you ever thought about stopping annonymous comments? We want to hear more about you guys, not about these ignorant people. If you are wasting time posting about these negative people who have nothing better to do, we don't get to hear about you. Your free time is so precious, why spend it on these dorks. You said it yourself, you don't need the extra stress.

-Shanna
Mom of 3 SN kids
Javi (Autism), Ethan (PDD-NOS), and Kaylee (Tuberous Sclerosis, Seizure Disorders)

*Jess* said...

I agree with Shanna. I think for some people, they cannot understand what its like to raise children with autism. Or any developmental delay or special need for that matter.

Irene said...

I don't comment much on any blogs anymore but I do still keep up and read them. I just had to say I love this post! Thanks for all you do in helping to spread awareness and DOING something about the needs we all have. I just struggle with keeping up with my kiddos and I only have three (one moderate, classic autism, one recently diagnosed Aspergers and one not affected).

Sarah and Tim said...

I think that what you are doing is a great thing. Thanks for sharing the most intimate parts of your lives!

Dadof6Autistickids said...

Thanks guys, your comments here has helped me the come to the conclusion... you are right.

Anonymous comments are not allowed anymore.

When we first started the blog last Spring we were hoping for ANYONE to comment so we had some activity.

You're right, too much stress and a time waster. The goal of this blog is to help one another in our journey toward better lives for us and our children.

MiSScNeLLY said...

The internet has created a new brand of cowards. I am glad you are addressing them and not letting them bother your goals and missions!

Mama Skates said...

thx for eliminating the anonymous comments! i'm not sure why people like that would continue to come to ur blog if they dislike it so much - but i'm glad we no longer have to read their garbage....i'm a long time reader and first time commenter....my oldest child (7yr old son) has AS....u guys are an inspiration!

not just a mom said...

Thank you so much for being the kind of parents that are advocates for their children! And not only are you looking out for your brood, you are extending your expertise to other families. I have already learned the value of children but, after hearing your story, I will strive to live it each day better and better. thank you again.

Maralee said...

It's been interesting the last few days since anonymous comments have been not allowed how there has been absolutely no negativity. It's not like no one can post what they think anymore, they just have to actually take ownership of their opinions. It reinforces what I already expected; that most of those comments were not made out of any true belief or opinion, but were more likely just the result of miserable hateful people trying to bring everyone else down as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for people being able to express themselves, and I love a good debate. However if it is important for you to be able to speak your mind and you truly believe in what you are saying, then you should be willing to sign your name to it.

sharkbyte said...

hey i think it is a great way you deal with everything life throws at you. i wish i knew about you years ago. i am 35 and have just been diagnosied with aspergers about 3 years ago untill then i was given every thing from add to bi-polar to ptsd and so on and on all types of meds. i also had a daughter who passed away in march of 03 who had pdd-nos but she wasn't diagnosed with that till she was about 7 she had an intestine problem as well and that is how she died not the autism. but if i knew there were alot of others out there it would have helpped. p.s. you might want to be carful with your site because i accidentally went to autismsucks.com and it is a porn site. please e-mail me back so we can chat thanks rich a.k.a. sharky

Pweshes Mama said...

Hi, I've only just discovered your blog and I'm so wishing I have discovered it much earlier..

You are a true inspiration to all autism parents out there in trying to make a change, whether it's through promoting more tolerance and acceptance of autism, providing valuable information on autism and now with you starting a foundation to help ease the financial burdens of autism parents.. AND amazingly on top of EVERYTHING you have to do in taking care of 6 autistic children daily, you have proven yourselves to be so much stronger by professionally handling all the negativities thrown at you with such dignity and patience.

Just to share, myself and some other parents are just starting a non profit society not unlike autism bites here in our country and we have gone through and are STILL going through numerous rough patches here and there in terms of negative reactions from certain people.. I guess you really can't stop these people thinking what they want to think even though we waste so much time analysing why they need to say such things when they are clearly being so hurtful and vicious to parents who not only have to deal with daily struggles of raising autistic children but really are only doing what they are doing to help others. I guess the best way to handle them is just to not only ignore them but try our best to not provide a platform for them to spread their hate. I am happy and I salute you for putting a stop to all those hateful anonymous commenters!

I've also received comments about keeping my son "anonymous" for whatever reason I don't really want to know.. all I know is when I see you and your family put yourself "out there" it makes me feel proud to tell my story too and there is absolutely NO reason at all to be hidden about it..

So before I start feeling sorry for myself ever again, I shall remember you and your brave family and your mighty mighty strength and pick myself up and try my best to do how I would see you and your family do..

Thank you so so much again, for sharing your stories with others. No words can describe the positive impacts you've made on me and I'm sure other parents out there.

Warmest Regards,
Riana from Brunei

Anonymous said...

You are doing an awesome thing here! Truth is parents of autisic kids need the money! I am so frustrated trying to find a job that works with his therapy schedule...our county will pay me to watch our friends autistic son, pay our friends to watch our autistic son..but no help for me to take care of my own son..... in the meantime I have had to leave a great admin job making decent money and try to find something "flexible". People just don't get it. God bless you guys and keep on keepin on.

sharkbyte said...

you guys are doing so great i am so impressed whit all you do. my wife is a greeting card maker and she has come up with mothers day and fathers day cards for parents with children of autism and well any parent who sacrifices for theis disabled kids i am a 35 year old male with aspergers and currenttly i am a manager at a mcdonalds resturant near lexington Ky and i know how hard it is for everyone dealing with this my daughter also had pdd-nos well keep in tough @ sharkbytenow@yahoo.com thanks

sharkbyte said...

you guys are doing so great i am so impressed whit all you do. my wife is a greeting card maker and she has come up with mothers day and fathers day cards for parents with children of autism and well any parent who sacrifices for theis disabled kids i am a 35 year old male with aspergers and currenttly i am a manager at a mcdonalds resturant near lexington Ky and i know how hard it is for everyone dealing with this my daughter also had pdd-nos well keep in tough @ sharkbytenow@yahoo.com thanks

sharkbyte said...

you guys are doing so great i am so impressed whit all you do. my wife is a greeting card maker and she has come up with mothers day and fathers day cards for parents with children of autism and well any parent who sacrifices for theis disabled kids i am a 35 year old male with aspergers and currenttly i am a manager at a mcdonalds resturant near lexington Ky and i know how hard it is for everyone dealing with this my daughter also had pdd-nos well keep in tough @ sharkbytenow@yahoo.com thanks

sharkbyte said...

i love what you guys are doing and i thought it was just hard with my 1 pdd-nos daughter and myself(i have aspergers). just a side note my wife sells greeting cards that are a bit different they deal with life. and she has some for mothers or fathers of kids with autism or well any disability but they say thank you for giving up dreams or goals and dealing with difficul times for the families please get in touch with me if just to chat at sharkbytenow@yahoo.com thanks and keep up the excellent work sharky