Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Story Idea-pestecides containing mercury

This person wants coverage on pesticides. This item was emailed to this blog--AR


There are many mercury containing chemicals still present today. These pesticides are on our farms and golf courses in the form of stock piles. There are 150 trade chemical names containing mercury. We need attention drawn to these places for the waste collection programs or the clean sweep programs. Some are still being used like in Canada for turf mold and probably exported too.I think it should be urgent to follow the guide lines and

* Actively participate increase local farm-a-syst or clean sweep programs.

* Get word out about mercury in all local golf courses

Just one way we can help keep toxins down. I wish mercury just wasnt used.

Nov 14 Video of the day.Get Real!

This video is vry sweet and her son is so young.As a matter fact at times he remine me my own at that age 2ish, I guess?My little boy use to sleep in pj's as well.and be so sweet but as things go.The older he became his moods started to change the more he wanted to get across and couldn't understand why what he wanted to say wasnt what was coming out.His feeling and awareness of himself are at hand his frustrations are stronger and so is he.His ways of dealing w/these matters are no longer so easy and sweet to deal with.His hitting is harder.His legs are longer and stronger so kicking as well is harder and hurts long after the fact. And try get as much hair out of his hand you can before he pulls as much he can out.And spitting in the face it use to be just spit but the older he gets he has learned to clear his through before spitting. When he was younger he destoried some but now he destories and you cant stop him w/out sitting with him on you lap for hours on end.REALLY! You know I have a job as well and am a profess myself.I at one time did some teaching in Jeddad,Saudi Arabia.
And now to pick my words real fine.I cant believe a mother in the same place as myself I just with more exper read from some other mother whom at the time has not even the time to absorb what is going on and what is to come,has pointed such a finger at us who need help and are seeking help as we have given it our all and continue to give it our all.You must be Jenny Mc's fixed fan.All I can say to you is, keep on keeping on!

YouTube video of the day

A Change is on it's way w/out choice

As it's been said so many times.I will myself say for the last time here.There is an unseen world.And we as Americans are living so fast we cant seem to absorb sooner or later we will be faced with those around us that are at this time inside.People need to understand, illness in the family or not, they too are at one time or another going to come face to face w/Autism. As sooner or later these people have to live and get out.As it is only humen nature to have a social life. illness or not.Beyond illness lives a human.I believe the retail world needs step back and review policies that are fast failing the public around them.Charitis themselves need change their policies and things need be more indul.As we can see the train coming, that meaning an unplaned change on the structure we have set.I hope to see soon classes teaching compassion schools starting pre-k on.as well teaching what acts of compassion are.I hope the unseen world is able to live a life free of unneeded trouble as I'am sure it's going to take all they have to muster the courage to get out and live a life they so much need,want and dream to have.A life from behind the doors.Thank you for giving me this chance to say I have a son with AS.Thank you for caring.J.M.Addington mother of a 7 yr old boy named Ahsan Khan ( Ahsan meaning beautiful).

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Last minute thoughts?

We are getting down to the wire on shoots....2 more!
Let us know what you are thinking!
What are you hoping for this series?

What we are working on

We are finishing up our last couple of shoots....Then we start to air December 3rd...I will let our bloggers know if that changes. We will also have a preview package of the series we will post on the blog hopefully by next week.....AH! I can't wait to air!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Low-Funtioning Autism

Low functioning Autism has got to be the most frustrating thing I have ever had to deal with. Everything in my life revolves around Mickie. I just keep thinking that there will be no place for him in the world if he stays the way he is now. So I keep looking for ways to get him out of himself, so when I'm gone he can fight for himself.

When he was diagnosed at 22 months I thought he would just start learning if he had intensive therapy, but he didn't and in fact got worse. By the age of four he was completely lost in his world. Chelation therapy did help get some of his eye contact back.

On Mickie's 10th birthday I made the decision to start doing something more about my frustration with his slow progress. I had stopped video taping him right after the diagnosis of Autism. The life just kind of went right out of me. I started making videos of him again. I signed on to Youtube and created a channel for Mickie.

The response to Mickie's videos has been interesting to say the least. Most people are very gracious, but some of the others are just plain nasty. Interesting enough some of the most negative comments have come from mothers of Autistic kids. I an not in any way ashamed of him, not by a long shot.

Some have accused me of portraying Autism in a negative way. I just record Mickie being himself or what I like to call, "Mickie in the Raw". I'm guessing Mickie is not what the majority of people with Autism act like. I just got tired of seeing it portrayed as something just perfectly normal. It is what is; and, what is not is a dirty little secret that has to be hidden so that it won't offend the sensibilities of some.

It's a cruel world out there! It's evident when I take him out in public and people do stare and give dirty looks and shush him, because he can get really loud and there just no way to stop him. Perhaps they have never seen anyone like Mickie, because Autism is portrayed as something else.

Autism isolates the entire family, not just the afflicted child. It is difficult to visit and to have visitors. It is very hard and expensive to find appropriate childcare.

It is very tough to describe what it feels like to see your child suffer and not be able to help him. The pain of knowing that no amount of therapy and no amount of money will ever give him back the potential he was born with, can seem at times, unbearable. The love that I feel for this little boy is more than I could imagine, but at the same time I morn every day for the child he once was and might never be again.

Once in a blue moon I get a glance at the precious little person trapped inside his confused body - that person who views the world so different than me. And it's at those moments that I remember why I was meant to be his mother. It's hard to see everyone else's life around you go on as if everything was just fine, yet you know it's not ever going to be the same for you.

Sometimes when I touch bottom and I imagine this little guy as a grown man, and me too old to watch over him, I realize that this is as close as I have ever been to hell.

Am I bitter? Yes! Am I happy? No!! This days happiness is just a word, a front for the rest of world to see, because in the end; I just want my son back.

Zurama


Saturday, November 10, 2007

Michael-First View

Here is a sneak peek from our webcam. Thanks to Katie for putting this together!

Michael-Katie

I'm not even sure how to begin this post and start reflecting on our trip to Brookfield to meet the Colliers. The trip was incredible, especially because this was my first time interacting with one of the families we're featuring in the series.

I was struck by these family members' strength and affection for one another. Although Michael is nonverbal and unable to communicate like most of us, his grandparents, father, and sister all said they have no problem interacting with him - Michael just has his own way of communicating.

Each person had the same look on his face when asked about Michael; everyone smiled, sang his praises and spoke with pride about him and his accomplishments. Like Ashley and Mark mentioned, the Colliers stick to a routine and make everything look so easy! They all really helped us to capture a true day in Michael's life; we spent time with him in the classroom, his grandparents' home, and his home. It was nice to be able to see Michael in a variety of setting and watch him learning, playing, laughing, and communicating. Michael's dad and grandfather both said Michael is one of the happiest kids they know.

I hope you all check out the First View of our trip going up soon and look for the Colliers to appear in the series!

Story Idea-Diagnosis, Cost, Schools

This person wants to express their concern on some issues. This item was emailed to this blog--AR

Here are some issues:

Diagnosis
I am not sure how many different things I have been told my son had - He is 10 and was formally diagnosed with autism at 9.
First PDD, ADHD (still has that), Landeau Kleffner Syndrome, Sensory Integration Disorder, Slow - whats up with that.
I wonder about the mercury levels too because he also has numerous fillings in addition to being vaccinated.

Money
Who is going to pay me to stay home with my son as I can only work part time. SSI is only $623 a month - what does this pay for today??????????? Wth two people you don't even get $200 for food a month, so who will by supplements and special foods like gluten free bread etc.. which is supposed to be good for him. Let's not forget that most of these children are very smart and also deserve to go to plays and movies, bowling - none of which can be done because of the lack of $$$. Lets not forget that it takes 2 hours to get to the doctr and 2 hours to get back on public trans or the meltdowns because of flying bugs outside and the lack of personal boundaries and the stares and underthe breath comments and judgement from others.
Sorry Jenny, but I'm over it with your book, $4000 a week for special services of course your child would be getting better, but what about the normal people.????????????????????????????????? I will say that your story is as heart wrenching as mine and Sally's and Mary's and all the other moms that have had their hearts smashed into bits as you watch your child in the line at school and no one says hi to him or talks to him. n preschool I had a child walk up to me and say " I am glad you are here to get, ****, I hate him. I don't have time to write a book because I have to work part time and be home every evening with my son to do his homework. How much of the money made from this book DIRECTLY helped other children with autism. I saw nothing about proceeds or a % being donated.

Parents should do all they can to help their child but do not do any new diets without first consulting a physcian or someone with a degree in nutrition - you can't just take dairy out ofthe diet with out having a specific plan with how your child will get things like Calcium and Vitamin D and other nutrients - there is also organic milk without hormones and such. You can't replace food with pills or vitamins and it is unwise to do it without some PROPER guidence. Iguess if you have $500 or whatever to pay for all the really espensive stuf and fancy doctors - well then do it I guess.

Education
Schools are still not up to speed, because of lack of funding and educated staff. Don't lower the bar! This is the first year my son is getting a "report card" - why is that? he does the work?
Alternative schools or programs such as self contained classrooms or computer area (lack of) that keep the bar low and comfortable for the teacher that usually has no other support. As a parent I would love to volunteer at the school but that would negatively impact my child and our almost nil income.
I am constantly talking with the school and thought they are really nice - they don't have the resources.

Meeting 11/8

Friday, November 9, 2007

Michael



Michael has autism and is non-verbal. This was a very insightful shoot to say the least.

When we got to Brookfield we went to Michael's school to get some video of him. The school was super at accommodating our requests. We were so happy to work with a school who supported our series.

We then followed Michael's bus to his grandparents. Routine is so important for these kids. We didn't want to interrupt Michael's routine so we basically followed him for the rest of the night.

At his grandparents we got video of Michael having his after school snack, and swinging on the swing set with his dad.

Michael is such a happy boy. He was laughing a lot while he played. When I interviewed his grandmother, he became fascinated with the camera. He was just curious and continued to smile while he was checking out what we were doing.

We then followed Michael, Andy, and Sarah home. It was neat to see his big sister giving him so much attention and love. She makes sure everyday to spend some time with him.

Andy was very open and positive with us. He told us his story in an uplifting light. This will be a nice addition to our series. He has gone through so much with his son. I think one of the best parts of the interview is when I said to Andy, "Your son has never said, 'I love you'..." and Andy proceeded to tell me, "Michael doesn't need words to tell him he loves me."

Pictures from Michael Shoot


















YouTube video of the day



Please comment! Gotta video? Email me.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Self Evaluation, Books

This person wants to share some thoughts about books and self evaluations. This item was emailed to this blog--AR


Hi ,I'm a concerned person and I've been reading about Autism and Aspergers PDD-NOS OCD and everything else in-between...I can't get enough of it ,but it has shed light for me, right now I am reading Autism Answer Book by William Still-man. and It makes me laugh because all my life when I look back at myself I can recall not making eye contact with people,and not very often but I'll be rocking and stop myself and flicking my fingers.

It's frustrating because once I am aware that I am doing it trying to explain it to you is hard. but also,I could just be really shy and just not be able to talk to people face to face..... I have basically self evaluated myself. and all arrows point to this. but I am still skeptical I am not a doctor so there fore I can not be 100% sure. .but one thing I have noticed talking about autism online, in chat rooms is that people will ask me a question , like who in your family has autism? and I sit there thinking to myself , If I tell this person I think I am,then they will ask how do you know? then if I say I read up on it and came to a conclusion myself ?? they pretty much wont believe me. because I think they rather talk about a child with it and not an adult.

I just get really annoyed to not be able to say hey, why can't I talk about this ? why do I have to be JUST labeled anxiety or OCD or ADD whatever other label they want to place me in but autism or aspergers., I am just trying to find answers to my problems that's all. I could be way off, and it is something else. but this is a start to my journey In understanding myself . good day to you .