Autism X 6: A Year Later

On October 1st Discovery Health channel will be showing our family story... again. During this past year it's been aired about 8 - 12 dates that we know of. It was shown in Australia and in England as well. Discovery Health did not tell us about the Australia showing (they don't have to). We found out from a number of emails from some new Aussie friends.

The show in England had a bit of lead up advertising and media attention. Robin was interviewed by a woman's magazine, we asked for a copy like we always have done with the other media, but we didn't get it. The most amazing thing for us was that we did not get a single response to the documentary from anyone in England. Maybe something was lost in the translation. Not sure.

We've had all the range of responses as you might expect. People wondering how we do it, other wondering WHY we did it. We received email from well wishers and others calling us the foulest names possible. Some have told us we deserve a Extreme Home Makeover show, and others said we don't know how to clean up a home. We've been accused of using our kids for financial gain, but the truth is we are worse off financially then a year ago -- just like the rest of the country.

But we are glad that the show was made and the other documentary, Keys to Unlocking Autism, that we were a part of. Awareness is the key and the beginning steps to making the life's of persons with Autism better. But even though the term 'Czar' is getting a bad rap lately -- we need one. An Autism Czar to coordinate the efforts correctly, as much as possible.

We call ourselves 'Autistic Parents', other parents know what we mean. Some goofs have thought we were saying we are Autistic too. We know how to handle the joys as well as the crap, literally, being parents to six children with Autism. And we're still plugging away a year later.

Dad

Autism x 6: Update to Our Main Website

I've made changes, updates and have refocused the meaning of our website: AutismBites

Autism with six children is still not the best part of the day, however we want to focus more on the positive. We've found that certain things work for us and make life A LOT better. Maybe it can help your family too.

Updates are on the main page, about us and links. Who can tell me first, the major change made to our blog?

Dad

I'm Coming to a Town near You

Life is settling down to somewhat of a routine once again and I'm back to blogging and Autism advocating. I've added videos back onto our YouTube page and will be adding more as I'm able.

As I travel in my 18-wheeler doing my new job as a trucker, I make stops all over the USA. I would like to meet as many of you as I can. As I receive assignments to know where I'm going, I'll post to this blog what truck stops I expect to stay at at the end of each driving day. If you live in the area I'll be staying, send me an email at: autism_bites@yahoo.com with a subject of: truck stop visit. Include your phone number, I'll call to set up a time and we can get together. I'd like to take pictures too and include them in this blog if you don't mind.

Let me know what you think and any suggestion you may have.

Dad

Life on the Road

This is just the second time I've been home since May 28th when I started my final "on the road" training to be a truck driver of a 74' tractor and trailer. I've been to WI, MI, IN, UT and CA, then of course through the states in between. Two things have been the hardest so far: trying to sleep on the bed in the sleeper of a moving truck as it bounces along the Interstate roads and getting a sore butt while driving for 9 - 10 hours straight.

Two more weeks and I'll be assigned my own truck and I'll be able to better establish a routine for me and my family.

Dad

Things Are Looking Up

I like many have been struggling with earning what our family needs lately. Last year was going well until November when the economy took its hit. I've tried to continue to earn with our internet businesses, BUT it wasn't making it. I sent out nearly 100 resumes in the last couple of months and only got a few nibbles. So after much discussion between Robin and I... prayers etc. we decided that I should go through the training of becoming a over the road trucker.

The accelerated class I started 2 weeks ago had 42 students, yesterday just 13 were left that passed all the requirements. I was in that group, of course ;) By the end of this coming week I'll be hitting the road for an additional 14,500 miles with a driving trainer to learn the actual on the road experiences. It will be somewhat difficult for Robin and the children, but I have to earn for our needs of course. Please pray for her especially and the family generally if you would. After I get settled into the job I'll be back on this blog and some of our other online hangouts.

Dad

Catch You All Later

Hey followers... I'm bugging out of here for I don't know how long. Life is crashing around us lately.

Autism Awareness Month - So What !!

So what has Autism Awareness Month done for you? Did you think more about your child and their Autism? Let me guess, you think about it all the time anyway. An 'awareness' month, has not really changed how you deal with Autism. Am I right?

What about your family? Did they come over to the house against their self-imposed avoidance of your family? No? Huh, really. You mean they didn't offer to watch the kids? Give you a break? Nothing?!? Didn't they know that it's Autism Awareness Month?

OK, ok. But, I bet you saw THAT celebrity on the talk shows again with their latest book on curing Autism. Do you wonder if it's all about adding some extra zeros into their bank account? Most of the blogs and posts believe that. I don't know, I'm not them. I hope they have a higher goal then just money.

But, there sure have been lots of newspaper stories and local TV reports. So at least some 'awareness' is going on. Right? Did you hear about some sort of new laws... or mandates that came out of Washington this month? Have we seen any real details and how it can positively affect families of Autism? No? Me neither.

I was hoping that since President Obama had lots of changes in mind, that it would include Autism. Autism IS high on his list of things to do. It says so on the White House website. There is next years Autism Awareness Month I suppose. Hmmmm, there still are a couple of days before the end of the month. Maybe we'll get a surprise Autism birthday present!

Hey! Stop holding your breath, I'm afraid you'll pass out.

We should be grateful that we have our own month. But is it for us? Are we getting any real benefit? What do you think? Is it just a bunch of lip service? To make us think that the media, government, etc. do actually care and are concerned?

If not, you need to get off the couch and DO SOMETHING about it! Every MONTH needs to be Autism Awareness Month, where things are getting done to help your situation. Not just a bunch of talk. If you as a parent or a person of Autism don't speak up and I mean really do some shouting... otherwise, we are just sheeple (people that act like obedient sheep) and be thankful for whatever crumbs fall off the 'table' of resources and finances that happen to come along. I'm just one voice, we need many more!

Otherwise, Autism Awareness Month is not for parents or persons of Autism... is it?

Dad