In the last week our People magazine article came out. A camera crew from 'Good Morning America' was here almost the whole day on Wednesday. The day before I was making calls to coordinate them going to Emma and Nephi's elementary school and talking to one of our Dr's at the Autism genetic study we've been involved in the past 10 months. We'll know tomorrow when the show will air next week, could be Monday or Wednesday--stay tuned here!
At last count, hold on a minute... let me check... we've had 96 individual emails, 30 blog comments, other Autistic parents have purchased 217 of our 'Autism t-shirts' (that's twice what we've had since we put them online last spring), on this blog people have looked at my profile 293 times and Mom's has been checked 454 times.
Most of the family has been sick with a lingering cold. Mary threw up two nights ago, I took Sarah to the Dr on Tuesday, Emma barfed at school Tuesday, Robin's voice will sound much lower and hoarse during the 'Good Morning America' interview, Sarah made it back to school today after a week and I had to go to Ammon's school today to take him home, because his nose started running like a faucet.
We got info on a different school that Sarah could attend since she will not be able to go to her 'Autism only' school here since I missed getting in the paperwork on time and the school only has half as many openings as Autistic children that need to get in.
We've now received calls from 3 different daytime shows that are talking with us about appearing in the near future. They all wish to remain anonymous (so don't ask) and we are determining which one will give us the most time and best exposure. Sure it's our 15 minutes of fame, but the main reason we decided to start all this about a year ago is threefold:
1) We want to educate this country about Autism, its ups and downs for the families and Mom's and Dad's and other general knowledge.
2) Increase the tolerance for Autism, where people will not assume someone is a bad parent just because their child(ren) are acting up. And especially cause them to pause before making any uninformed or ignorant comments.
3) Make the world aware that Autism is financially devastating for families. Find ways to have needed funds get into the parents hands for what they feel is best for their children. Be it treatments, interventions, diets or home needs. Our poll to the right shows most of the visitors here agree. Money spent now will decrease the money needed and the 'burden' on society required later when Mom and Dad are no longer there.
Then there was today. I was at Mary and Sarah's school to talk with their teacher about how they are doing. Mary, 3, (PDD-NOS) is doing pretty good and is at the worse just a year or so 'delayed'. Sarah, 6, (classic Autism) however worries us, her average 'age' is from 6 to 18 months. Many times she's look at us and get upset like she's trying to communicate and just can't. Like she's trying to get herself out and can't find the way. It's so hard and sad.
At last count, hold on a minute... let me check... we've had 96 individual emails, 30 blog comments, other Autistic parents have purchased 217 of our 'Autism t-shirts' (that's twice what we've had since we put them online last spring), on this blog people have looked at my profile 293 times and Mom's has been checked 454 times.
Most of the family has been sick with a lingering cold. Mary threw up two nights ago, I took Sarah to the Dr on Tuesday, Emma barfed at school Tuesday, Robin's voice will sound much lower and hoarse during the 'Good Morning America' interview, Sarah made it back to school today after a week and I had to go to Ammon's school today to take him home, because his nose started running like a faucet.
We got info on a different school that Sarah could attend since she will not be able to go to her 'Autism only' school here since I missed getting in the paperwork on time and the school only has half as many openings as Autistic children that need to get in.
We've now received calls from 3 different daytime shows that are talking with us about appearing in the near future. They all wish to remain anonymous (so don't ask) and we are determining which one will give us the most time and best exposure. Sure it's our 15 minutes of fame, but the main reason we decided to start all this about a year ago is threefold:
1) We want to educate this country about Autism, its ups and downs for the families and Mom's and Dad's and other general knowledge.
2) Increase the tolerance for Autism, where people will not assume someone is a bad parent just because their child(ren) are acting up. And especially cause them to pause before making any uninformed or ignorant comments.
3) Make the world aware that Autism is financially devastating for families. Find ways to have needed funds get into the parents hands for what they feel is best for their children. Be it treatments, interventions, diets or home needs. Our poll to the right shows most of the visitors here agree. Money spent now will decrease the money needed and the 'burden' on society required later when Mom and Dad are no longer there.
Then there was today. I was at Mary and Sarah's school to talk with their teacher about how they are doing. Mary, 3, (PDD-NOS) is doing pretty good and is at the worse just a year or so 'delayed'. Sarah, 6, (classic Autism) however worries us, her average 'age' is from 6 to 18 months. Many times she's look at us and get upset like she's trying to communicate and just can't. Like she's trying to get herself out and can't find the way. It's so hard and sad.
At two o'clock the Autism genetic study worker from the University of Utah came by to get blood samples from Mary. Yes, Mary. I was very concerned how she would react, it was her first needle poke. I held her in the recliner, Bobby held her arm steady and the worker put on the big rubber band thing. The whole time she was watching the whole thing and smiling brightly. We talked to her gently and then it came time for the stick... nothing. She continued to smile and watched as he took six small vials of blood. "Look at the little blue butterfly on your arm Mary", I told her. It must of helped that she has seen this worker come to our house many times over the months AND his technique was perfection. Took it out, put the stretchy bandage on she wanted a bottle and she was on her way. To say the least I was quite surprised. When we did Ammon last year it took THREE adults to hold him down.
Our Schwanns delivery driver, Mike, came by about 4. This is one of the prizes we won when Robin won the 'Busy Mom' contest last year. Then Robin went to Cub Scouts for the running of the Pinewood Derby.
To top off the day, the three youngest got their SSI payments shorted AGAIN, second month in a row. I've written and left phone messages. Guess I'll have to go in and see if I can get things straighten out.
Here are some of the comments on emails sent to us that touched our hearts.
"...I love your tee shirts...when ricky was little his actions drew a lot of attention...you know what i mean.We could have used one of those shirts!..."
"...The "gentleman" said "Some people need to learn to control their children." At that point I turn(ed) politely to him and replied, "He is Autistic." He then said (rudely), "How was I supposed to know that? It's not like he's wearing a sign..."
"...You both are truly a blessing from God to both have bared these children and raise them in such an amazing and loving way ! God Bless you Both... God Bless you ALL !!"
"...Please know that just by word of mouth about the internet and websites I am for sure that your foundation will get off on the right foot!! We all need some support from some where..."
"...I cried as I read your story. Your family is beautiful!"
"...I am going to put the photo of John hugging Ammon up in my kitchen so I can see it everyday..."
"...I have read the article written in the People magazine, and I hope it will show some in light on people who do not understand the many forms of Autism."
"...I read and re-read and re-re-read the article in People magazine and the more I read, the more awe-struck I became. You and your family are truly the example of dedication, love and preseverance. Your strength and outlook on life amaze and inspire me..."
To Emma: "...You are a very fine artist! We would like to buy a piece of your art for my room to add to my collection. Would you consider selling us a piece?" (Emma says yes)
"...I will be watching you site and hope the non-profit gets started--we all need it..."
"...Your article was reassuring because it reminded us we aren't alone out there..."
"...Like your kids, our Peter has no friends...and thank goodness he has his siblings. Both my husband and I have felt so much despair in our lives, and thank goodness we have each other..."
"...We read the article in People magazine and my mom started crying because she thought having one autistic son was difficult. My mom has been deppressed about our situation lately but now you guys have inspired us to look at the brighter view. thank you!"
Our thanks to all, now do keep those cards and letters coming!
Dad
Our Schwanns delivery driver, Mike, came by about 4. This is one of the prizes we won when Robin won the 'Busy Mom' contest last year. Then Robin went to Cub Scouts for the running of the Pinewood Derby.
To top off the day, the three youngest got their SSI payments shorted AGAIN, second month in a row. I've written and left phone messages. Guess I'll have to go in and see if I can get things straighten out.
Here are some of the comments on emails sent to us that touched our hearts.
"...I love your tee shirts...when ricky was little his actions drew a lot of attention...you know what i mean.We could have used one of those shirts!..."
"...The "gentleman" said "Some people need to learn to control their children." At that point I turn(ed) politely to him and replied, "He is Autistic." He then said (rudely), "How was I supposed to know that? It's not like he's wearing a sign..."
"...You both are truly a blessing from God to both have bared these children and raise them in such an amazing and loving way ! God Bless you Both... God Bless you ALL !!"
"...Please know that just by word of mouth about the internet and websites I am for sure that your foundation will get off on the right foot!! We all need some support from some where..."
"...I cried as I read your story. Your family is beautiful!"
"...I am going to put the photo of John hugging Ammon up in my kitchen so I can see it everyday..."
"...I have read the article written in the People magazine, and I hope it will show some in light on people who do not understand the many forms of Autism."
"...I read and re-read and re-re-read the article in People magazine and the more I read, the more awe-struck I became. You and your family are truly the example of dedication, love and preseverance. Your strength and outlook on life amaze and inspire me..."
To Emma: "...You are a very fine artist! We would like to buy a piece of your art for my room to add to my collection. Would you consider selling us a piece?" (Emma says yes)
"...I will be watching you site and hope the non-profit gets started--we all need it..."
"...Your article was reassuring because it reminded us we aren't alone out there..."
"...Like your kids, our Peter has no friends...and thank goodness he has his siblings. Both my husband and I have felt so much despair in our lives, and thank goodness we have each other..."
"...We read the article in People magazine and my mom started crying because she thought having one autistic son was difficult. My mom has been deppressed about our situation lately but now you guys have inspired us to look at the brighter view. thank you!"
Our thanks to all, now do keep those cards and letters coming!
Dad
