Alternative treatment for autism

Hello everyone,

I know Wednesdays are usually labeled "encouragement" days, but today I decided to switch things up a little. Just yesterday, I watched an interesting segment on Nightline involving dealing with autism and alternative treatments. What was the treatment suggested this time? Taking your child surfing.

That's right, you heard me correctly. Taking your child surfing

Currently, the statistics in the US for autism is rising at a alarming rate. So much so that the American Journal Of Pediatrics is urging parents to screen their child twice for autism. Once at 18 months and then again at 24 months. Typical symptoms for the onset of the disease are your child not smiling, a child that has trouble keeping eye contact with someone or lack of speech.

Where exactly does surfing come into play in all of this? Well.. The program is called Surfer's Healing.The theory being that the ocean waves have a calming effect on austitic children. Program founder Isaiah Paskowitz, knows this firsthand. He experienced this with his child at a early age. As a result, he and his autistic son now have a hobby they can participate in together.

"There's some kind of magic that happens out there," he said

It isn't always about the surfing though. It's about the lessons they learn through surfing- this simple fact that they can do anything they put their mind too. This weekend activity also provides an avenue for parents to get together and discuss his the trials and tribulations of having a autistic child

For more information, you can visit the website at:

http://www.surfershealing.com/

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Citation for TV Program: "Nightline" News segment, . ABC channel 7 WXYZ Detroit, News at 11: 30 pm, October 29, 2007

Citation:

Differences

Hello everyone,

Thank goodness it's the weekend. It's been a very busy week with everything going on in my life. I barely have any time for myself anymore; it's a definite change from before. I'm still adjusting to everything myself. I guess that's a part of being an adult. Not a fun part. But an important part in itself, knowing that you have people counting on you every day to do your very best work. It's a big responsibility, but I know I'm up to the challenge. Anyway, since free time is difficult to find any more, I thought I would get a early start on next week. (Speaking of difficult, I am finding myself at a loss for topics. So if anyone has any ideas for me, please give me a holler. After all, this blog is for you, not only me.. I think I have tried to reiterate this point to my readers several times)

On to today's post..

Let me begin with the question.

What makes us different? I mean, really. I'm not talking about disabilities now. I'm speaking more in a broad sense. By that I mean, what makes one person unique, separate from another person? Is it our eye color, hair color and personality that makes sense unique or do our is differences go deeper than that? If you are anything like me, you probably believe that someone made you the way you are for a reason. Now, stay with me here. I'm not using this blog to preach my beliefs, by any means because honestly a relationship with Jesus is not something someone should take lightly. It is a personal matter. Anyway, where was I going with this? The point is, as I was thinking about the differences in people, a specific verse came to mind. It is:Psalms 139. I won't go through the whole thing, but here's what it says in part.

Psalms 139, verse 1-5 says:

"For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. "

Later on in the passage, David continues with his thoughts regarding being uniquely created. He continues in verses 13 through 15 saying:

" For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. "

My point in saying all this.. well. It's quite simple really. Everyone is different and we are made differently for a reason. There are no mistakes in the way we were made and it's about time we start appreciating our differences for what they are. Gifts.

Okay, so this idea differences as gifts wasn't all my usual way of thinking. But a recent who documentary on HBO family got me wondering. The show highlighted children with a variety of differences (I'm not limiting myself to disability, but also unique talents that are not often seen).

As one child puts it, "Everyone is special in their own kind of way,"

Henry Anderson is just another example. Unlike most boys, he is interested in ballet and dance. He has been dancing for seven years, since he was four years old.

10-year-old Patrick is another example of how differences don't have to overwhelm your life. Although Patrick is blind, he goes to a regular school and likes to be seen as a regular kid. Having to read using braille may seem a hassle to most kids. But he chooses to see the many good sides to his disability.

"Since I use my fingers, I can read in the dark without my parents noticing," he said

Eight-year-old Erin often gets asked why she is the way she is. Being little, this is often a difficult question to answer. Her reply:

"That's just the way I was made ."

When asked about how to cope with one's differences, one child simply replied: "Don't let them (other people) get you down, just stand tall."

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Citation for TV Program: "Happy to Nappy and other stories of me", HBO Family channel 309 at 6:55 p.m., October 14, 2007. (Original air date: February 24, 2004 )

Another post on Autism.

Well,

It's been a long and busy week. I'm still getting adjusted to having a new job and there's still a lot to be done before I move out in November. But that's just a part of life, I guess. I'm kind of grateful that I have a lot to do. It makes me feel useful and doesn't give me time to feel "sorry" or have pity on myself. I tend to do that sometimes now that a majority of my friends are gone. But I shouldn't. After all, I have a lot of good going on in my life right now. A new apartment, a new job. What more could a independent woman ask for?

I don't know.

Anyway, on to today's post.

Since I have been talking about perseverance and patience in my life, I thought I would highlight others with the same prospective. (Okay, part of my decision to write about this was because the movie happened to be on, but still..) Some of you may know what movie I'm talking about. It's called Miracle Run. Based on the true story of the Morgan family, the movie chronicles the daily struggle of a mother trying to do right with her children despite the devastating diagnosis of autism. For those of you that are unfamiliar, autism is a brain disorder that affects social interaction and communication skills. In some cases, this diagnosis leads to the institutionalization of people. Unwilling to accept this, Corrrine Morgan made it her mission to get her twin sons the best education possible. At a early age, she began to research her children's rights to a normal education with such adaptations as a IEP etc.

As the boys grew, they began to see themselves as separate and unique individuals becoming involved in a variety of activities . Philip has continued to pursue his interest in music, while Steven enjoys running. At the end of the film, it updates the audience saying that they are both hoping to get full scholarships to college. Their mother, Corrine, is happily married and the founder of "Miracle Run", a organization that hopes to find a cure for the disorder as well as just being there to help people deal and live with their diagnosis

Encouragement: Proof That People can get Through Just About Anything

Hey everyone,


Another day, another post. Contrary to my previous post, things ended up working for me and the apartment. It's mine for eight months at least. That is, if everything works out like it should. I plan on moving in by the middle of November. So I'm excited. My own place, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. Anyway, I'm sure I will have more about my apartment as I undergo the transition. Not much is going to change though, considering my place is only about 10 minutes away from my parent's house.


On to today's post, a post of encouragement. As I have gotten back into the habit of writing for this blog, I find it easier to highlight the good in the world rather than the bad things that can (and sometimes do) happen. That being said, here's a story that proves people can get through just about anything. This remarkable story of faith and heroism was first featured on last Sunday's episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The family chosen for the episode: the Brown's. In short, this family of four overcame the impossible when their house catches on fire. With everyone inside the house, Fred, the oldest son rushes to ensure everyone's safety. Unfortunately, Gloria, his mother is stuck inside and ends up sustaining severe burns on her chest before he is able to rescue her. Luckily, they all make it out alive.

Left with virtually nothing, the family is forced to start over in a rental house just a block and a half from where he used to live. Their old house is in shambles. Despite all the hardships they have faced, the family still takes time out to came back to their community.


"That's what it's all about. It's not about us that much; it's about the other person. It's about giving from your heart.." said Gloria

Ty Pennington, the team leader of the project summed the rebuilding of the house as a endng to their very long journey.


"I think this week for us is about knowing you're doing something for someone who's lost everything, but never really given up hope. Life is a path and these guys have had way too many obstacles thrown in their way. We have to rebuild from scratch.."



During the show, the family was able to go on vacation and visit some of the "Dancing with The Stars" cast. As they watched their old home get demolished on video, Gloria was glad for the fresh start.


"I saw that they rocked that house. I said, thank God it's over. All of the bad memories are gone."






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Citation:


Citation for TV Program: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" , . ABC channel 7 WXYZ Detroit, at 8 pm, October 14, 2007

ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's disease)

Hey~

Okay, so this week has been a busy one for me. Not only because of my new job, but because of the changes taking place in my life. On Wednesday, I decided to take some time and look at apartments. I was able to find one but, as always, there are complications. Hopefully they will clear themselves up. So I can figure out what I want for a change.

Anyway, I digress.

Today, I have chosen to highlight the subject of ALS in my blog. ALS is more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. Why have I chosen to highlight this disease right now? The answer is quite simple really. This last week, thanks to TiVo, I was able to watch a program called "Jenifer". This documentary style program chronicled the life of the Jenifer as well as the Estess' sisters on their journey to find a cure for ALS. For those who don't know, ALS is a disease which destroys the neurons that carry messages from the brain to the muscles. Unfortunately, this disease is generally fatal within two to five years; it has no known cure or treatment.

Faced with the debilitating diagnosis, she refuse to give up as she dealt with the reality of her own death. Like always, their sisters depended on each other for support. They began to research other forms of alternative medicine, such as stem cell research etc. To find out more information about the Project, go to http://www.projectals.org/

Relationships, I guess I will continue the series

Okay,



So I just happened to be searching for new topics that I could use for the blog when I came across this article. Recently, I've gotten in the habit of looking for topics on the Internet and then saving them to my e-mail for future reference. I do the same thing for TV programs related to disability issues as well. Anyway, I figured since I explored the difficulties of being single as well as disabled in the United States. I would take this a step farther and explore the impact that friendships have on disabilities. As I believe I have stated many times before, I don't know where I would be without the friendships I've made in my life. Specifically, the ones I made in college. They not only help me in function independently without the assistance of my parents, but allowed me to florish as an individual.



Anyway, enough about me.

Looking back at the article, I find myself having a hard time trying to condense it. So I have decided to let the readers read it for themselves. All I can say is that it's a powerful story of a friendship. It really shows you the importance of looking beyond differences(both physical and religious). I encourage you to read it.

http://newmobility.com/articleViewIE.cfm?id=11001

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Citation:

Furlong, Roxanne "Friendships That Endure " newmobilty.com, October 2007 15 October 2007 http://newmobility.com/articleViewIE.cfm?id=11001

Encouragement: The Life of a Disabled Young Woman

Hello Everyone,

Another early installment on my blog. I hope everybody had a nice weekend with their families. Mine was okay, simply just not long enough. Dad left on business early on Sunday; not giving us enough family time at I would like. I start work tomorrow. I'm excited.

Anyway, onto today's post..

As I set out to write this, I'm not really sure how I should approach the topic. But the simple fact is many people struggle with this on a daily basis and I want them to know they are not alone. So I guess you're wondering what the topic is. The topic is, being single and disabled in the United States. Now, I'm risking things a little by telling you I myself am single. But I feel that it is necessary to tell you, to assure you that you are not alone.

As a single woman who is disabled, I want what everyone wants. A person who loves me and accepts me for who I am. Sure, we may encounter different obstacles than most, but we love each other and are able to look past the obvious differences. I will love and respect the tasks that my husband will do for me because I realize the sacrifices he's made for me.

I just have to trust and believe in God's timing.

Other people may not have the same perspective that I do. But the key thing to keep in mind is that they never give up hope. Take for example a recent article in New doing what one Mobility Magazine. Amber Ramsden is another 27-year-old who admits she is a "chronic " dater. After being disabled in some kind of accident (it wasn't specified in article), Amber went through the typical feelings of the disabled community. She began to wonder if she would ever be capable of having normal relationships. It was as if her identity as a woman had been taken from her since the accident.

After attending a camp for people with disabilities, Amber realized that was the wrong way to think. Meeting a young man named Eric opened her eyes to the real meaning of being an individual. He gave more than just a fake tattoo, he also gave her her first kiss. It was then that she realized she liked the idea of long-term relationships. She felt that was the only way she could have someone support her.

After a number of brief relationships, she now realizes many of the mistakes she made. First, Amber understands the importance of knowing who you are before you enter a relationship.

Part two of this post deals with the waiting process. Now this can sometimes be the most difficult part of a struggle. After all, we are surrounded by a world that does often tells us we have to be a success. But what defines success? Usually, it's a good job, a family of your own, etc. it doesn't help matters when good men seem like they're all taken and all of your friends seem to be getting married before you.

So how do you respond?

The truth is, I really don't know. But here is one perspective

http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001594.cfm

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Citation:

Ramsden, Amber.. "Single In the City: In the Game " newmobilty.com, October 2007. 17 October 2007

http://newmobility.com/articleViewIE.cfm?id=11000