Oh, The Places You'll Go!

"A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future."...author unknown.

This blog is dedicated to my daughter, on the occasion of her grade five graduation today.





Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!



You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the gal who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
You'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry.  Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.




You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing greats sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.






You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.



I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump
you're not in for much fun
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted.  But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out?  Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose?  How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three quarters?  Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.



You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place...

... for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a YES or NO
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.



Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.



With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of guy (gal)!





There's fun to be done!
There are points to be scored.  There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame!  You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't.
Because sometimes they won't.

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go.
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike.
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.



You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)



DAUGHTER, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!!

So....
be your name Jenny or Shante or Tiana
or Keanah, Lexie, Janki, Cynthia or Samantha
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!




You're never too young nor too old to profit from the inspirational words of Dr. Seuss!!

Oh! The Places you'll Go, my daughter...I know you'll go far, and of course you'll succeed, and I'll always be proud of you, indeed!  And that's 100% guaranteed!!

I wish all my readers the best in their journey, no matter what stage they are currently in.

Cheers!
Linda

Just like Reverend Scott

"resolve to be strong and fight for yourselves, and for others and those you love..and that part of God will be fighting with you all the way." ...taken from the guest sermon of Reverend Scott in the original movie version of "The Poseidon Adventure".

There is something about that movie that just draws me in, something much more than fond memories of a 70's classic.  I actually own the DVD, and watched it last night with my daughter.  It is a little cheesy in parts, I'll admit, but the character Reverend Scott (played by a young Gene Hackman), the unconventional preacher who basically delivers the message of not praying to god to solve your problems, but to pray to that god "within you" for guided strength, continues to inspire me to this day.  Throughout the movie, he literally had to practice what he preached, and was met with many detractors along the way, right from the start:

I loved this bit.  My daughter had the same reaction I did (nearly 40 years ago) when she heard him say a mild curse word!  Now I think the way he said it was very funny!  This character really pumps me up and motivates me to keep fighting for what I believe in, or to at least try and not give up.  Every time I watch this, I find it incredible how very few people actually tried and fought for their survival.  Were all the others too scared, or too lazy, and why weren't they listening to the voice of logic?  Instead they listened to the man "in uniform" who told them to stay put until help "arrived".  It didn't take very long into the movie to find out who they should have listened to!!

Another line later in the movie that stands out was when the main group, heading to the engine room, suddenly met up with a larger group led by the doctor, heading in the opposite direction.  Rogo fights with the preacher "what makes you think you're right all the time, maybe they're right, maybe we should follow them!", and Rev. Scott replied "That's brilliant! 20 people decide to drown, so that's alright..that's typical..everything by numbers".  Just because a larger group has decided something to be right, doesn't mean it is - we have to think for ourselves!

Of course the last words of Rev. Scott stand out above all others, when he gets angry at the end and addresses a speech to God.  He's tired, frustrated by having to face one obstacle after another in trying to get his group to safety and says "we came all this way with no help from you...we didn't ask you to fight for us, but dammit don't fight against us!".  And the way he delivers the line "how many more lives?" is worth the whole movie.  I get the goosebumps just remembering it now.

Well here is that scene, I could never describe it good enough, it's Linda's death, then Scott's sacrifice:

  

When I watched it last night, I noticed something for the first time.  As soon as he says to God "if you want another life, then take me", around that moment the steam stopped.  And that was their last obstacle.  It reminded me of Desmond's (tv Lost) conversation with brother Campbell (episode Catch-22), when he says to Desmond "perhaps you underestimate the power of sacrifice".  The scene was very emotional (and sad!), but Scott did inspire them, right until the end to not give up, to keep on fighting with his very last words "you can make it", "rogo..get them through!".  To me, this made the ending especially poignant:

I guess I'm just writing about this today because many of us out there right now are fighting, just like Reverend Scott, for something we truly believe in.  He was a hero who stood up against most to do good for people.  The only difference is we're not fighting for survival (thank goodness!), but we're fighting for those we love, for the rights and inclusion of our kids in their community, for better education, for earlier intervention and we're fighting for our seniors to receive better health care and home care when they need it.  And if we're not winning all our battles, we are not giving up, we keep trying to win, just as was said near the beginning of the movie "God loves tryers".  I'll bet many reading this are each day making small sacrifices for the good of others, especially those we love.

I thought it was a terrific movie - I'm sorry if I've spoiled it for anyone who hasn't seen it!  Even if I did, it's still worth watching the whole picture to experience the complete journey in its entirety.

I would love to hear about movies that have inspired you, like the ones you'd want to have if stuck on an island somewhere!

Cheers,
Linda

On With The Show - This Is It !

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best"...Henry Van Dyke

A school tradition we all look forward to each year is the annual talent show!  Students have the opportunity to perform their hidden  talents, be it in dance, singing, telling jokes, playing an instrument or doing a little magic.  It's like a kids only version of America's Got Talent, minus the judges!  For one special evening, these young gifted artists can perform for their whole school community, and the parents can sit back, enjoy and of course claim that "talent runs in the family!".

In our school board, we also have one special evening in June of each year dedicated to showcase the unique talents of the students with autism.  This year, the evening started off by visiting each school's display booths, where creative art work, including paintings, drawings, structures and much more could be viewed literally "in awe" by everyone including families and community members.  Some works that I passed through were simply stunning, and I shared equally a mother's joy and overwhelming sense of pride that talent has been discovered and career paths have been set.

Next, all visitors were directed to the main auditorium (this is not a school gym performance, it's a theatre!) where we were treated to a variety of acts including a young girl playing "don't stop believing" on her recorder, a young grade one boy who was a "super speller", he could spell words forwards and backwards (one word was "cantaloupe" - I needed my spell check for that word!), another boy sang and played guitar to "say it ain't so", and he in particular brought tears to my eyes, he was that good!!  I would buy his CD, so would many no doubt!!

Of course, for me watching my son's middle school class film of "The King who was Bored", was a personal highlight.  They worked six months on it, rehearsing their parts every day, and their hard work paid off - it was brilliant!  As much as I thoroughly enjoyed the production, what I most enjoyed was watching the group of boys viewing their own movie on the "big screen" displaying self pride throughout, and their smiles and laughter could only mean that making the movie was a fun and memorable experience for them.  Of course the teacher was sitting with them, and was just beaming! She should be congratulated for providing her students with such a wonderful learning experience and giving us all the opportunity to share that experience with them. 

If the evening could be summed up into only one word, it would have to be "inspirational"!!

I am thankful that our schools and parents continue to support arts education.  You never know what hidden gifts can become unlocked, and when it happens, those gifts can then be nutured until they blossom into something spectacular.  And throughout the process, self worth and confidence can be built - and that has value to all children!

My video for today is from my favourite tv talent competition from the 1980's - Star Search!  Here is one from the final rounds of 1988.  See if you can decide who the winner is before it's announced at the end.  I thought Raquel Herring sang a very beautiful song - love the lyrics - Enjoy!!

And who could not love 5 year old Allison Porter compete against 11 year old Tracie Spencer..

Have a great weekend ! (p.s. reminder of the Toronto Walk for Autism Speaks event is on Sunday morning - walk begins at 10:00am, Nathan Philips Square).


Linda

Welcome Back..Kotter

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge"....Albert Einstein

Well here we are at the end of another school year!  Is it just me, or are the years getting shorter as we grow older? (or is it our patience!).  Time just seems to be flying by.  In one week, my daughter will be graduating junior elementary, next year will be my son's last at middle school then off to high school.  Where has all the time gone??

Today will be the last assembly I attend at the school my kids first joined seven years ago.  I can't help but feel a little jealous of the parents I see with their little kindergartners.  Now I feel like one of those "older" parents, one whose children are as tall as they are and perhaps twice a year attend a band concert or a spring play.  I'm afraid my time of seeing cute monthly assemblies are a thing of the past..no more treats to adorable hits such as "I'm a little pumpkin" "the penguin shuffle" or "dinosaur rock".

Only a very few times have I ended a school year feeling completely content with my son's placement for September.  The times he started in a new school were especially worrisome.  If you are feeling this way, it may help to set up a short meeting in August, before the September madness begins to get things off on the right foot.  It's important to work collaboratively from the start and meet any new people working your child, such as his new teacher or teaching assistant.  Things are more friendly and personal when you can place a face to the writings in a communication book!  It's also a good time to check out his classroom space and make sure all environmental supports (from prior school year) have been transferred over.

If your child had a "not so great" school year, and the home/school communication became a little difficult at times (it's happened to me!), there is still time to end the year on a positive note.  Even if this seems impossible, there is nothing worse than negative feelings festering all summer long.  Any cheerful words you can give your school principal and child's teacher will really mean a lot this time of year.  Taking the time to thank them all for their efforts will make everyone feel more positive and enthusiastic about September.

If you wish to show your appreciation to a special teacher with a small, yet thoughtful end of the year gift (and don't want to give the usual soap!), there are places that make beautiful autism themed jewelry, for example a bracelet with the autism puzzle piece charm.  I have both given and received gifts like this and they are probably the most well received gifts ever!!  People will be very touched by the sentiment!

Here is a link to one place that I know of that makes beautiful autism themed jewelry (sold world wide) at very affordable prices:

http://www.moonandbackbeads.net/JewelleryGallery.html

My video for today will feature everyone's favourite 70's teacher, Mr. Kotter! Welcome Back Kotter was a terrific tv show the first three seasons (how could anyone forget the sweathogs...Vinnie Barbarino, Arnold Horshack, Freddie (Boom-Boom) Washington and Juan Epstein).

What I liked about the show most was that the opening began with Mr. Kotter telling his wife Julie a joke, and it always started with "did I ever tell you about....

It's always nice to start your day off with a joke or two!  O.k., any time of the day works for a good laugh! 

Cheers!
Linda

The Road Not Taken

I well remember reading this very popular Robert Frost poem while in high school.  Our class together analysed it and by the end concluded that it was a poem about choices and individualism.  At some point in life, we will be faced to choose between two similar yet different paths, and this choice will profoundly affect our future.  If only we could see that future, the choice would be a simple one, but as the poem (and life) goes, we can only see a short distance ahead, any attempt at the "long term" view is not possible...the "road will bend" and block it off.

The narrator of this poem took the road "less" travelled.  Does that mean less popular because it was tougher?  Perhaps to this traveller, the tougher road presents the challenge in life he was seeking "at that time" and that's why he chose it.  He had the courage to take what "he perceived" to be the more difficult journey.  

Where my class could not completely agree on was the ending, perhaps open to interpretation.  As stated, he took the road less travelled by and that has "made all the difference".  Many people in my class believed that he was happy with his choice.  Some others including myself, questioned his "sigh" at the end, was it a sigh of relief, or a sigh to express grief or lament?

In life, we never really know which choices would have given us a better outcome in the long term.  Looking back on my own difficult choices from long ago, there have been times when I pondered the wisdom of my quitting on an important career move after only three days.  When our household is short of money, that's usually when my "sigh" would be that of lament!  However, knowing that just one month later I became pregnant with my little girl, days like today, when this morning I proudly watched her running her heart out at her track and field school event...my "sigh" is one of definite happiness. 

When you think about it really, we can only try our best to make the right choices for ourselves and our family, and there is no proof that ultimately one is better than the other.  Proof does not exist because we only see one side of the decision.  For that reason, I feel we should never live life regretting our decisions.  While I agree that we can never go back and re-do the exact same ones, it is always possible at any time to conclude that the "current path" is, for whatever reason, simply not working the way we hoped, dreamed or envisioned.  At that point, we can create a new path, let's call this one "plan B" and know that again, there is no proof that plan A is any better than plan B.  

Remember the show "Who's the Boss?", (tv nostalgia time!), Tony's wife passed away, then he had to end his baseball career due to an injury, but he and his young daughter found joy in a very unexpected place:

 

lyrics..There's more to life than what you're living, so take a chance and face the wind.  An open road and a road that's hidden, a brand new life around the bend.  There were times, I lost a dream or two, found a trail and at the end was you!  There's a path you take and a path not taken, the choice is up to you my friend.  The nights are long, but you might awake to a brand new life, a brand new life, a brand new life around the bend.

I love that song!  It's so inspiring.  You never know what's around the bend, and it's never too late to find out!  And know that the life around the bend can be equally fulfilling to the one you lost, let go of or decided to change.

Cheers!
Linda

Happy Father's Day!!

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty"...author unknown










Happy Father's Day, to all fathers out there, and especially to the father of our two sweeties....you are the best father they could ever have.  Thank you for being so wonderful, day in and day out!! 

Have a great day!

click here to read my post: First Sunday In September (Australia and New Zealand)

A Plate Of Homemade Wishes...

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life"...Christiane Northrup

When I was a kid growing up in the seventies, I secretly wanted to be a Bradford (so did all my friends!), if you don't know who the Bradford family are, then you probably missed my all-time favourite tv show (at least from when I was 11-14 years old), Eight is Enough.  Well here's the whole Bradford clan, bursting happily and joyfully out of their home (I wanted to live in their house, too!!)

Eight is Enough was known as a "dramedy" (comedy-drama), as it attempted to story-tell realistic family problems and often dealt with more serious and mature themes than other family shows of this television era.  But through all the drama, the warmth and humour spilled through each week, and most every show left me with either a happy tear or a big smile.

In one of the most poignant episodes that I recall, the oldest brother David was trying to separate himself from his family.  He was tired of always being the one the family leaned on for help (being the oldest), he no longer wanted to be part of solving every family crisis, he wanted his independence and was not going to allow his sister to guilt him into postponing his weekend ski trip to sing at a benefit she was organizing, just because the "whole family" was helping her.  However, he had a change of heart when he overheard his kid brother's conversation with an orphan boy, describing what a great family he had, "especially his brother, David", and all the orphan boy could say was how he "wished he had a brother".  This boy did not have any brothers, sisters or parents.  I guess David was forgetting how lucky he really was...and so he surprised his family by not only showing up to perform, but he treated them all to a special song he wrote for and dedicated to them.

The start of this video is in spanish.  What he says is "this song is written for my family.  When you belong to a large family, sometimes you forget you are a member...and well.. this is my way of saying "thank you" to them for not forgetting about me.

Lyrics:  There's a magic in the early morning we've found.  When the sunrise smiles on everything around.  It's a portrait of the happiness that we feel and always will.  And eight is enough to fill our lives with love.  Oh we're lucky we can share this beautiful space.  So many find the world an empty place.  Anyone who asks to stand alone, is only standing still.  And eight is enough to fill our lives with love.  Oh love makes all the difference now, and one that really shows.  Just look at everyone of us.  See how it overflows.  We spend our days like bright and shiny new dimes.  If we're ever puzzled by the changing times.  There's a plate of homemade wishes on the kitchen window sill.  And eight is enough to fill our lives with love.  More than enough to fill our lives with love.

To this day, I'm not quite sure what it means to spend a day like "bright and shiny new dimes", but the "plate of homemade wishes on the kitchen window sill" sounded....delicious!!

I guess I'm not the only one who loved that song, because after this aired, they replaced their opening theme with this tune:



Times sure have changed!  Today, big families like this are virtually non-existant, homes come in small lot sizes, and nobody has the same job their entire career.  But one part of life remains as true today as it was 35 years ago: no matter the family size, place, or other details, it's the people in our lives bringing us true happiness, it's those people who are "more than enough to fill our lives with love!"

Ahhh sweet and cheesy, I know.  Well, what do you expect from someone who really loves that theme song?  Come on, admit it, you like it too, right?

Cheers,

Linda

Sibshops

Yesterday my blog celebrated its 2 week Anniversary!  I am so delighted that my blog is attracting people from all around the world, and not just where I am - Toronto, Ontario, Canada!!  It pleases me enormously knowing there are people out there who share a common interest with me and are caring to stop by here from time to time...I hope you are finding this place a worthwhile visit and a useful resource!  Please know that I am working hard at updating it regularly, adding useful links etc., and my recent purchase of "Blogging for Dummies" is being put to good use, and not just collecting dust.  Which reminds me...I am waaaaaaaaaaay behind on my dusting!!

"The road to a friend's house is never long"...Danish Proverb

In our area we have a special program specifically designed for the siblings of children with autism, we call it "Sibshops".  My daughter attends as often as she can - and loves it!  Basically it's an informal "get together", where they have an evening to play games, have pizza, and have a chance to meet new friends, friends who share that uniqueness of being the brother or sister to a child with autism.  My daughter has many friends both at school and in the neighbourhood, yet she still is very much drawn to this program, and I think it's because she wants to be with others from time to time who understand "her issues", because they are living with them too.  Maybe it's an opportunity for her to vent a little bit (if she chooses, nothing is ever forced in this setting) if she needs to, or listen to another child of the same age group that may need an understanding and sympathetic ear.  Whatever her reasons are, she loves getting her invitation in the mail!!

I have noticed as my daughter is getting older, she has more and more questions about her future as it relates to having her "special" brother.  For example, just last week she asked me "Mommy, when I have a baby, is there a big chance he will have autism?"  That's a big question for a girl not yet eleven, and I'm sure I did a terrible job answering it!  But it does show that she "thinks" a little bit differently than most girls do, and it's times like this where having a "special" friend who shares similar worries would be really helpful.

If you are in Ontario, Kerry's Place Autism Services is the agency that runs the Sibshops, you can find the link to "Kerry's Place" on the right sidebar of this blog if you are interested.

For my video today, I'll feature two of my favourite tv friends, Laverne and Shirley, this one Shirley sings their special "cheer me up song", High Hopes, (this is the song I would always get a little tear in my eye each time they would start singing it).  How do the lyrics go?  Just what makes that little old ant, think he can move that rubber tree plant, anyone knows an ant..can't..move a rubber tree plant..but he's got: HIGH HOPES, he's got HIGH HOPES, he's got high apple pie in the sky hopes, so anytime you're feeling low, instead of letting go, just remember that ant...whoops there goes another rubber tree plant....enjoy!

Cheers and have a great day!

Linda

One Day At A Time

"This is it! (this is it), this is life the the one you get, so go and have a ball..  This is it (this is it), straight ahead and rest assured, you can't be sure at all.  So while your here enjoy the view, keep on doing what you do, hold on tight we'll muddle through, one day at a time (one day at a time)...So up on your feet (up on your feet), somewhere there's music playing..don't you worry none, we'll just take it like it comes, one day at a time"....tv theme lyrics for the 70's show, one of my favourites "One day at a time".

Here is the video tv theme of One day at a Time, from season 1, 1975, I really love this music!



Look at the size of those cars!  Ahhh the 70's!

I'm going to talk more about this wonderful show on another day, today is just one of "those days" where I needed a quick pick me up, to as the lyrics go, get up on my feet and know that somewhere today I'll find that place where "there's music playing", and of course, I'll muddle through my day somehow, like I always do.

If any of you are having a bad start to your day, or week, I hope this song gave you that zip you needed to carry on or in some way made you feel better.  It did me!

Cheers,

Linda

Family Sports Time

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family....Anthony Brandt

Being physically active with your kids is both fun and healthy.  I've always been terrible at most popular sports, however I do try to set a good example and participate where I can, even if it's just in simple ways.  For example, I love going for long walks with my son, we both really enjoy it and it has two extra pluses..it's very easy and it's very free!! 

Finding a sport activity for us all to do as a family is a challenge.  The four of us have different interests and abilities.  Most every Sunday we attend public swim together, but we're mostly all doing our own thing once we get in the pool.  Plus, I'm finding I cannot keep up with my son (who I have to watch pretty closely) once the slide is turned on!  This is when my 30 minute workout begins!  I climb out of the pool, then climb up 20 steps, go down the curvy slide (while keeping track of where my son is as he goes down first), crash into the water, fix my swimsuit straps and undo my wedgie, then find my son and my way out to do it all over again!  Yesterday in the course of 30 minutes we got 20 slides.  Our all time record is 32 slides!! (my son keeps track).  I know, you're getting tired just reading about it!

While all this is good exercise and it is...fun, I'd like to find another activity we could do perhaps as a team, that's fun, easy and all year round.  I'm thinking now about us forming a bowling team and entering a family league.  My husband and I used to be pretty good bowlers (though that was a long time ago!), and we can teach our kids the basics...currently they are both using a technique that looks about like this:



Of course, we all aspire to be at the level of Fred Flintstone!!

I'll let you know in future blogs how "our team" is doing.  I would also love to hear about the sports and activities you do as a family.  I'm always looking for new ideas to try out!

Also, if any of you are interested in signing your children up to learn a new sport this summer, in a non-competitive environment, where they can gain self confidence and social skills, plus improve their strength, gross motor, balance and co-ordination, I have just learned about a program called "sportball", it is all across the greater Toronto area, and they have "adapted" programs for ages 5-17, to include children with autism, asperger's, etc.  It looks quite interesting, here is the link to the adaptive programming:

http://www.sportball.ca/programs/adapted-programs/

And here is another link to read about the sportball methodology in general:

http://www.sportball.ca/about-sportball/


I'd love to hear how it goes if you decide to sign up.


Cheers,
Linda

The Good Old Hockey Game...and Team!

"Oh! The good old hockey game, it's the best game you can name..and the best game you can name, is the good old hockey game."...singer Stompin Tom Connors

This evening will be Hockey night in Canada (and USA)!!!  Here's the music to get you in the hockey mood, of course, it's the original theme:

While I'm not a huge hockey fan, it is exciting that we have a Canadian team in the Stanley Cup Finals and I have been watching the games this week. Go Vancouver!!...and good luck to Boston too! 

While we're in the hockey spirit, I would like to draw your attention to a very special hockey team, the Innisfil Snowdogs.  The Innisfil Snowdogs is a hockey team founded 3 years ago by the parents of a child with special needs, and is affiliated with Special Hockey International for people with special needs and disabilities.  To date they have 26 players ranging in ages from 5-30 years of age.

What this family has done is so incredibly sweet.  They have created an opportunity for kids to participate and be part of a team, when there isn't a place for them in a mainstream hockey program.  They have provided an opportunity to shine in front of their parents, have fun, and feel safe and accepted, no matter what their disability.

The Innisfil Snowdogs are currently in a "very close" race to win an exciting contest, "The Keg Steakhouse $25,000 grant online contest".  Winning this contest will go a long way toward fulfilling their fundraising dream of entering a tournament in Boston (hey Boston again, that's cool!), where they will compete against other teams from Canada and around the world (how exciting!!!), and the prize money will be used toward uniforms, transportation and funding equipment for those in need.  This is an experience that they will remember for a lifetime, and will certainly help develop their hockey as well as social skills.

This is such a worthwhile project and I wish them the best of luck in winning.  If you would like to read more details about the contest and about the Innisfil Snowdogs, I'll give you a link to it, where you can vote vote vote (you can vote once a day until June 14).  Here's the link to the Innisfil Snowdogs Project page - Go Snowdogs!!!!

http://www.thekegthanksamillion.com/en/phase2/projects/show/p/19

Let's end the week with a bit of nostalgia, hopefully this great hockey tune will bring back some old memories.  It sure did for me as country singer "Stompin Tom Connors" was one of my father's favourites.  Here is the Hockey Song (the Good Old Hockey Game) - Enjoy!!

Cheers,

Linda

House..Lines in the Sand

"For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude."...Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Today my daughter is home from school with a cough and fever.  Something I am so grateful for is that both my kids, including my son with autism, have been able to tell me when they are ill, and describe to me their symptoms.  My son's verbal skills are very weak relative to his peers, but I do take comfort in that even when he was a little boy he could at least point to where he was hurt.  I am also very fortunate that he does not have any serious medical issues to deal with on top of autism, nor has he ever had anything more serious than a minor cut, bruise or common ailment.  My heart goes out to those families who have to cope with chronic medical conditions with their children, especially if they also cannot communicate the problem easily.  I can only imagine how stressful that must be to know your child is in pain, but to not know where, why or how to help.

As we can all relate, a trip to the doctor is not always the most pleasant experience either, especially when you are first faced with a long wait in a crowded waiting room full of sick people!  Fortunately for my son, the trip to the doctor so far has always ended with the doctor telling us what the specific problem is, thank goodness, and then sending us on our way with prescription in tow.  How worrisome, awful and frustrating it would be to not have that happen...what if the doctor could not find something obviously wrong and needed to send him to a specialist...a doctor unfamiliar to him?  To be honest, that is something I never even want to think about because it would be so incredibly scary for both him and me!

Writing about this now reminds me of a very well written episode of "House", from season 3 (episode 4), entitled "Lines in the Sand".  If you are unfamiliar with this tv show, "House" is an unconventional and misthanthropic medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians  at a fictitious teaching hospital.  He's got the worst bedside manner you could ever imagine!  I love this show, mostly because of the amazing talent of the star Hugh Laurie, and I especially love this particular episode, where House has a young boy patient with severe autism and very complicated symptoms.  I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you are able to find this episode somewhere from a fan who may have the dvd, I would highly recommend it - especially the ending - it's a 10, and when you watch it, you'll know what I mean by that!

I was unable to find a clip of the show on you tube, but here's the opening theme of House - it's got the coolest music going!!



I would love to hear about calming strategies you have used with your children at the doctors office, or any other experiences when your children are sick.

Cheers,
Linda

Toronto Walk for Autism Speaks

Today I would like to draw attention to an upcoming special event in our community.  On Sunday, June 26th will be the 7th annual Toronto Walk for Autism Speaks!!  The day's events will begin at Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30am and the 3km walk begins at 10:00am.  There is still plenty of time to register a new team or join one already in place.  Here is a link to all the details:

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1052&eventID=505


Our family has participated in this in the past and it was a very positive experience.  The walk raises both money and awareness so that autism research can continue to be funded, and that is so important to us all.  On a personal level, nothing warms my heart more than being part of a huge community coming together for a shared common purpose.  The energy is electrifying!

My daughter was still in kindergarten when she attended her first walk.  I still remember her face lighting up and asking "are all these people here helping my brother get better?"  So sweet!  And then she wanted to wear my event t-shirt even though it was several sizes too big!  She did the entire walk and was so proud to be there-even though it was raining!  Here is a picture of her wearing the t-shirt...so cute!

There will also be a resource centre at the event, so it will be a great opportunity to connect with agencies as well as other families.

Hope you are able to come out!

Cheers,
Linda

Roller Coaster - Metaphor of Life

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard hard work you already did."..Newt Gingrich

My blog is one week old today!!  I'm really enjoying writing it!  I appreciate all the views here - keep coming back!  It's still a "work in progress" and I'll continue to work on it often.  Please email me (see my profile for email address) anytime with comments, or comment directly into the blog - I'd love to know what I'm doing wrong, and right!!

On Sunday, we went to Canada's Wonderland!  It was our third visit this year already and we loved it.  I've loved Wonderland since I was a grade nine student and fondly remember being one of the first school groups to visit the park when it opened in 1981 - 30 years ago!  The three "big" roller coasters back then are still in the park today - Wild Beast, Dragon Fire and the Mighty Canadian Mine Buster.  Though there are so many more choices today, the Mine Buster remains a pretty cool ride! (in my opinion).

Getting our Wonderland seasons passes on opening day has been a family tradition since our kids were 4 and 2 years old.  We couldn't wait to take them and hoped they would enjoy it as much as we still do.  Of course the fun part of being a parent is re-living parts of your childhood over again.  Unfortunately, our first few experiences were anything but fun!  Our son wouldn't go through the turnstiles to enter the park, he would scream and hold his hands over his ears.  Then he protested getting his hand stamped, we used to have to hold his hand down, get it stamped, then lift him over the turnstile all the while kicking and screaming.  By the time we got in, we were so exhausted, we were ready to go home (and possibly never return!).

But we persevered and eventually he started to like Wonderland enough that he was entering both happily and easily.  He knew that gaining access to his two favourite reinforcers (roller coasters and cotton candy!) was contingent on him entering the park properly.  Hey, we were using some ABA principles back then and we didn't even know it!  Oh, but it was not exactly smooth sailing once we got in...it was the waiting in line that presented us with even bigger problems.  Our son would race to the front of his favourite rides and then drop himself to the ground in a tantrum when told that he has to wait at the back of the line.  This was sheer torture for all of us!  I remember around this time a family informing us that because he has a disability, he could be given a special Wonderland pass that would allow us special consideration i.e. we would no longer have to wait.  Oh that idea sure was tempting, but we declined and we're happy we did.  After all, waiting is a necessary life skill that must be learned, as we spend a considerable amount of our life in that as Dr. Seuss calls it, that most useless place..The Waiting Place...for people just waiting:

"Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come or a plane to go, or the mail to come, or the rain to go, or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow, or waiting for a YES or NO, or waiting for their hair to grow.  Everyone just waiting.  Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break, or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.  Everyone is just waiting."  Got to love Dr. Seuss! 

He eventually did indeed learn to wait for his turn - with lots of practice!  Luckily, those roller coasters were so motivating (ABA again!) that learning this skill was possible.  Never try to teach waiting in a grocery store lineup - how boring! 

I have heard the roller coaster often being called a "metaphor for life", you know life is full of ups and downs and twists and turns, which of course is so true.  If you think about it though, how boring would life be if it were all ups and no downs, just stuck up in the clouds forever.  Life is life, it's not some kind of suspended animation.  I'd say you've only got one ticket, so you better enjoy the whole ride!

Nostalgia for today... I tried to find a tv family enjoying a day at the amusement park - here are the Brady Bunch..toward the end of the clip they are riding the roller coaster - Enjoy!

I would love to hear your Wonderland experiences or strategies you've used to teach your kids how to wait patiently.

Cheers!
Linda

Mrs. Beasley

"A friend is a brother who was once a bother."...author unknown

We all know it is inevitable that our children will not always get along.  A couple of days ago, my daughter noticed my son playing with her DSi and soon began screaming that some of her special audio files were erased. He replaced them with his own unique recordings of his nearly thirteen year old crackling voice! She immediately went into an angry tirade..at me! "Mommy he "always" does things like this and you don't do anything about it because you don't understand what it feels like to have your things touched and broken!!!"

For a fleeting moment, she almost got me feeling guilty with her blame that somehow I'm responsible for everything her brother does wrong. But instead, after a couple of deep breaths, I calmly said that I was very sorry for her loss (respecting her feelings). But then I gently reminded her that her brother is responsible not me, and that going forward, she should try to remember to keep her belongings safe in her private spaces such as her bedroom or bags. And I then reminded my son that he can only use his own DSi and he needs to use his words to ask for help when he can't find it. Shortly she began to feel at least somewhat "less mad".


Later on we talked about it again, because, from time to time, I know she feels like these situations only come up because her brother has autism, as if a typical brother would be perfect all the time. This was the opportune time to remind her of "Mrs. Beasley".



Mrs. Beasley was my very special Christmas gift when I was about six.  If you do not recognize this doll, it was an extremely popular doll of the early 1970s, originally introduced by Buffy from the old sitcom "Family Affair".  Buffy used to carry it around claiming it said funny things to her.  I remember wanting one so bad for a very long time...this is a picture of Buffy with her Mrs. Beasley: 

My wish finally did come true, and how delighted I was to open my gift and find not any old Mrs. Beasley, but the "talking Mrs. Beasley!!". Quite innovative for its time, all I had to do was gently pull her chord and she would talk to me.  I remember gleefully puttering around the house, just as Buffy did, holding my Mrs. Beasley close and enjoying our little chats..

But, not for very long. I'm afraid my story does not have a very happy ending, as one evening my older brother, let's call him "curious boy", really wanted to have a "look" at her.  Of course, I did not want him touching my doll!  And as I continued to pull her chord, he at the very same moment decided to yank it away from me.  There I was left holding, not my beloved doll, but only the chord!  Mrs. Beasley was permanently silenced!  At this point, after a moment of shock, I was ready to let out a scream that would blow our roof off when suddenly....wait..confusion...gasp...horror!!!  What was my brother now doing with those scissors?!? ... Why was he performing surgery on my doll!?!  Within a couple of seconds, my Mrs. Beasley had a big hole in her, all her stuffing was falling out and all he did next was pull out her little voice box and say "Oh look.. it's a recorder..this is how it works!!"...as if he was trying to show me something really neat!! 

Don't worry we joke about this story now!  But it sure is a great example of how "all" brothers (and sisters!), whether bigger or smaller, older or younger, friendly or unfriendly, and with autism or without autism, have the potential to irritate, infuriate or even terrorize their siblings, and surely will...often!

For those craving some nostalgia - here is a video clip of the old show, Family Affair - maybe you'll even see Mrs. Beasley!  Enjoy!

Cheers,
Linda