Weekend Wrap Up: The Autism Walk

The past week hasn't been the most awesome over here in "Holland," but Saturday morning certainly made up for it. Our county's annual Autism Walk was a big success! We love being part of this walk because the proceeds stay in our local community and go directly to programs and services that improve the quality of life for children, teens and ADULTS living with Autism.   

Since CB was 8-years old, we have been doing some type of Autism Walk. Our team has always been just us - me, Dr. Fab and our kids. But on today's walk, we had a couple new walkers join us which meant the world to me!! Thank you to our friends Les and Susan for the generous donation AND your emotional support at the walk!!

The foundation that organizes this walk always does such a great job making it a fun and family-friendly day. When I told the girls we were walking this weekend, they were all like "YAY!!" I'd like to think that it had more to do with CB than the free cotton candy, popcorn, donuts, music and other entertainment but... they are KIDS after all.

CB started out strong. Here she is all like "Let's DO this!"

About 3 minutes into it she's all like "I'm hot and tired. I quit." But since she can't exactly SAY that, she tells me by spitting and dropping to the ground and scratching me.  

But she really hung in there. Walking isn't her thing and she had her moments but overall she did as well as I could have hoped.

At the event, I was able to meet author Kristin Arniotis and her son Billy. Kristin is the mother of four boys and was inspired to write "I Have Autism and That's Okay" by her now 8-year old son Billy. Billy is an adorable kid who likes to run, draw pictures, listen to music, and walk his friend's dog. Oh, and he happens to be on the Autistic spectrum too.

I love her message which eminates from the way she lives her life and sees her son. Yeah, sure, he has Autism, but that doesn't define him or put limits on his goals and dreams. Her book takes the "quirky" behaviors seen with Autism and aims to destigmatize them. It is a great tool not just for higher-functioning children on the spectrum but also for typical kids. It helps kids (and adults) to understand that Autism is something unique and interesting not something to be pitied or feared. I can see this book being a great learning tool in classrooms and preschools.

You can learn more about I Have Autism and That's Okay on their website and purchase the book there as well. (It's $14.99 and ships free).

Follow Kristin and Billy on Facebook and you'll be rewarded with inspirational posts about Autism. I love to support people who are putting good out there in the world, and Kristin is one of them. I thank her for that!

All-in-all, it was another great walk. 

The best part is that it's something the three little ones can do with their sister.  

It's a memory and a tradition they'll always have... 

...one we'll always treasure. 

Especially me.

Weekend Wrap-Up, Autism Walk and A Cool Video

What a weekend.   There were lots of things going on to include Friday night and Saturday morning soccer games, Pink's eye appointment (yes, she needs glasses too), a Saturday evening Spa Party with some girl friends, and family over all day Sunday.  Plus, our septic tank exploded again for the second time in less than a year (and exactly 2 months after we got it pumped out).  But, I'm not talking about septic systems right now.  I'm going to talk about one of the highlights of the weekend first:  The annual Autism Walk!

These photos ARE from this years walk, it is just an older Tshirt from 2010 because she got her newer one all dirty right before we left so we picked out an older one.  Anyway, it was a beautiful day for a walk - cloudless sky, crisp fall air and a bright sun.  Simply perfect.

 Our team, which is just the 6 of us plus CB's grandparents and father, raised over $3,000 this year which is pretty good for a team our size.  Big thanks to all who generously donated and the fund is still collecting even after the walk!!

What I love about this walk is that the money doesn't go to a giant, national organization that focuses on research, genetics and early intervention for the not yet born and the very young children.  This Foundation helps individuals living with Autism and their families in our very own County in NJ.  It helps with quality of life for all those little kids who grow up to be big kids and adults.  You know, I'm not opposed necessarily to discovering all we can about Autistic Spectrum Disorders and related conditions but honestly I often feel like not as much attention and resources go into helping families who have long been diagnosed and are LIVING with their wonderfully different children and young adults in the community.  What about them?  What about us?  They grow up ya'll.  These cute babies, these little toddlers, these children... they grow up.  And they still need us and it can be as challenging as it is rewarding.

I met a couple really nice Moms on the walk who recognized CB from this blog... Oh yes, we are ROCK STARS!!!  I was ready to have CB start signing autographs!  I was very touched by their support... you made my day ladies, if you are reading, and I thank you for introducing yourselves to me and making my day - heck, making my YEAR!

What I really love about this day is that it is something we do as a family once a year to support CB.  I love that her sisters look so forward to this event.  Okay, some of it has to do with the free cotton candy, popcorn and bouncy houses at the end, but they know it's a special day for CB too.

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Sunday was a great day with family celebrating birthdays.  My side of the family does not come together as much as we would like.  It is magical when all the cousins play and run and act like lunatics stuffing their faces with sugar.  These are the days they will remember fondly.  

The 'Partners-In-Crime' were reunited after a long summer apart.

And CB was breaking into spontaneous hugs.  She loves her Uncle!

 My mom and step-dad returned from Russia and brought everyone awesome souvenirs.

And Rella's Russian talking doll thingie was the biggest hit of all.  He was kind of like a Russian Teletubby and we almost peed ourselves laughing at this thing every time it talked and sang.  When we asked Rella "What is he SAYING?"  She answered with a sarcastic, "I dunno... I'm Italian!"

Update:  Thanks to a sweet and knowledgable commenter, I now know this toy is called a Cheburashka.  Thank you Galina!

If you're still reading (which I hope you are) I have saved the best for last!!  One of my favorite bloggers, Elizabeth at a moon, worn as if it had been a shell created a beautiful video for parents of special children.  What would you tell your younger self if you could go back to the day you received your child's diagnosis?  Get a kleenex and watch - it's so sweet.  And if you haven't checked out Elizabeth's blog, I strongly recommend that you do - she is incredible and I am in awe of her strength and beauty every day.

Don't forget to watch here!!!