Erin has stirred up quite the storm over at Queen of Spain, and I agree with her wholeheartedly. The timing is a bit awkward, because we are talking about giveaways and transparency and writing. My comments can be read over there, if you so choose, I won't beat a dead horse. The crazy thing is, though, I am doing a giveaway!
But here's the thing:: It isn't for some sponsored product, like bathroom cleaner or foot fungus soap, it's for autism awareness bracelets. And here's why: I bought three bracelets from Jularie Jewels at eBay at the beginning of April. They were very inexpensive, and despite being handmade, I didn't have high hopes. When they arrived I loved them sooo much that I contacted the seller and asked for 10 more to give away on my blog. I paid for them. Out of my own pocket, because it is a cause near and dear to my heart. And I wanted you to have one.
I purposely waited until almost the end of "Autism Awareness Month" because I wanted the bracelets to go to those who are intimately familiar with autism and would continue to wear them. For us, autism awareness occurs every day, when we interact with our children. So here is what I am asking:
While traffic is nice, please only enter the contest if you are intimately familiar with autism as in, have a child or family member close to you who has it.
To enter:Please comment in comments with the thing that makes you the most aware of autism, or a story about how autism affects you and leave me your email so I can let you know if you win! (I promise I won't send you any fake British lottery notices or anything)
Everyone gets one entry. I would love it if you tweet the giveway, or if you wanted to sub to my blog because you think my writing is the bomb or if you wrote about the giveaway on your own blog because you believe in it, but I am not going to manipulate you into doing any of those things simply to raise my SEO or rank. And I don't think you should do any of those things just to get extra entries on anyone's blog. But...that's just me. You can disagree with me and I will still love you.
I only have EIGHT bracelets. (I bought 10, but my daughter whined and I had to give her two of them). I WISH I had one for everyone, because I wish all moms who desired a bracelet could have one. I really do think these are nice bracelets, as I said, I have three of my own, one for each of my children. I don't get anything special for giving these away, except satisfaction of knowing EIGHT more women have a bracelet.
GOOD LUCK! I will choose the winners by random number generator (because how can I judge the quality of comments??) the second week of May. Love you all!
I hope you love your bracelet as much as I love mine!
T, who hopes you enjoy the bracelets as my gift to you
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19 sent chocolate:
How exactly to you enter to win one? Or is this how? - Colleen
This is very sweet of you. I know more about autism than I wish I did. I used to work in a special needs preschool with autistic children, now years later I have one of my own special kids. While he is challenging, we are lucky it is very mild. His main issues are aggression and high need for order and routine. But it's fascinating to see how he thinks. He's been a gift to me, despite the difficulties. Thanks so much for doing this!
Recent blog post: Things That Make Me Happy, and Might Make You Happy Too If You Try Them
What a lovely give-away!!
I'm a mom of 6 children. 4 of them, the boys, all have an autism spectrum disorder. The youngest boys has to deal with classic autism. He's at home every day, because there's no school for him.
Autism is a daily exprience for me.
When there are no problems with the kids, there are problems with those who are supposed to know how to deal with them.
Me oh my! I have to inform people so often that I feel like a CD, put on repeat. LOL!
I'm starting up an organisation in my country to spread awareness, inform people and try to improve things.
The organisations that we have are all kind of asleep. They function too low level.
Have a great day!!
Recent blog post: autism and plans for action
Almost, Colleen! You leave your story in comments of how autism has affected you or how you have become autism aware. That's it!
Hi, I'm not "entering" because I don't deserve a bracelet. I just wanted to tell you that I think what you're doing is wonderful! Have a lovely day.
I am have been fully entrenched in Autism since my triplets were born 11 yrs ago. One is nonverbal Autism(PDD-Nos), one has Asperger (&CP) and the third Adhd, with my younger also ADD. As you said everyday is Autism Awareness. I do like that there is a month that the public should be 'aware' though.
Autism affects not only the child, the siblings, family, finances, teachers, peers.....
Tina you are a great Blogger! Keep it up!
LOL! I somehow missed what I was supposed to write. Well, my son, who is now 6, was diagnosed with autism at 28 months of age. He is high-functioning but suffers from moderate-severe autism, which is actually kind of rare & just means that he's often good at coping with his difficulties. However, he still has a lot of challenges! The biggest thing that I've learned through our journey with my son is that I, myself, am on the spectrum. The more I learned about autism and how it differs from typical behaviors, the more it sank in. I was diagnosed with mild aspergers last year. We're currently fundraising for an autism assistance dog for Jude because he can be a danger to himself and others (as well as for some other reasons). You can learn more about us on our website at www.4pawsforjude.com. Thanks!
My special little girl is 5 1/2. She has Autism and we live with it everyday. To be honest she is loved for the way she is and we wouldn't have her any other way. Her brutal honesty, and unfiltered view on things amaze and awe us at the same time. We work with her daily to speak and communicate better but as for the rest of her, she is what I love about her. I always educate people on Autism. It is not just one typical symptom or sign. They do show affection, they can speak quite well and too the point, or they don't like to be touched. People do not know these things. They still only think of RainMan.
I think it is great what you are doing by the way. I love Autism Awareness Stuff!
I read blogs of parents of children with autism.
Recent blog post: Homing Development
I knew of Autism, and had donated to Autism causes in the past. I became aware of the trials of dealing w/Autism through my son who is HFA. This has been a fight, but we are standing strong together and making progress...except for the days when we don't. Ups and downs aside, there is no way I would have given up having my wonderful son in our life.
My son is 5 and has severe autism. Everyone always tells me what an amazing mom I am, and yet, I often feel that if I'm so amazing, why can't I fix him. I know that's stupid and silly and not even plausible, but there you have it. Thank you for continuing to keep your voice out there.
Recent blog post: well, thank god that's over!
Last nite was a perfect example of my life as a mother of two autistic children; 7yo autistic Taz comes running out of his room at 10pm to find dh; he freaks when I tell him dh went to the post office. Why you ask?
Not because dh is gone but because its 10pm and Cartoon Network is now showing The Family Guy. Taz in tears and near hysterics says "Daddy always changes to Scooby Doo when The Family Guy Comes One."
I grab Taz and drag him back to his room, telling him Mum can handle this catastrophy and as I stare at all the electronics he has on his personal entertainment center, Taz explains to me exactly how to go about switching from TV to the DVD player which has his Scooby Doo ready to go.
Then he calmly crawls back in bed and reminds me to hit play twice.
It's all about ROUTINE. 5 o'clock. . .time for Wapner http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_Man
Nianya
I am the uncle to a beautiful, funny, loving 29 yr old young man with Autism. Although he, his sisters and his mom(my sister) now live 1200 miles away, he is still one of the great joys in my life. After his father passed a few years ago, Walker & I became even closer friends in the most true sense of the word- absolute acceptance & understanding, FROM him!
Regardless of his communication level(oral & written)or his diagnosis (moderate-severe autism) I have learned, the hard way, to never question him if he has an answer, a fact or an opinion! More times than I want to admit I have gotten lost by not listening to his directions in the car. When there is a question or a dilema, if it interests him, Walk will come up with the simplest, most accurate solution that will leave the rest of us standing puzzled and sheepish!
Walker's younger sisters and mom all volunteer at Special O, in the Special Needs community,and his oldest sister is getting her degree in Occupational Therapy. Thursdays are "Walker" nights with his mom when they go to the community center for basketball. I'd love them all to move back closer to me so I could be more involved with their daily lives, but understand that their support network is very strong where they are. I've come to realize that those with Autism have been given a special gift that the rest of us simply haven't figured out yet.
Even if I don't win a bracelet, I'm going to get some for my sister and nieces as a small thanks for dedicating their lives to dealing with and "curing" Autism.
I'm intimately aware of Autism in my life, whether it is at home or at school where I work. It drives me, and makes me who I am, and it is a part of my son.
He would argue it is the best part of him.
Even if I don't win one, I will still buy some to wear and to pass out to family and friends. What a beautiful idea, T!!
Recent blog post: A Weekend of Inspiration and Awe
Autism entered my life as a 14 year old girl. I volunteered for a summer for United Cerebral Palsy in my hometown. Each day M-Fri we spent the day surrounded by special children. Usually on a one to one basis. The child I was assigned to was a 4 year old beautiful blonde little boy with big blue eyes named Mikey. Mikey made noises like a monkey and walked on his tip toes. Was told that he had autism and would be in his "own world" for the rest of his life. I fell in love with that baby and was extremely protective of him. I read to him, sang to him, took him in the pool and sunshine and never received a reaction. Many days I too thought it was hopeless but I never gave up. The last day I was with Mikey it broke my heart to say goodbye. As he was getting on the bus to go home, I walked away tears in my eyes. Until I heard the words "MIKEY" from his bus driver, I turned to see he had broken away and was running at full speed straight for me. Scared he would get hurt I bent down to catch him. I scooped him up and looked at him. With tears in his eyes he looked straight at me and said "love you." Those were the first and only words Mikey had ever spoken as of that point in his life. After that summer Mikey went his way and I went mine. He never returned that next summer but I always wondered what had happenned to sweet little Mikey.
When my son was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of nine in 2001, the Master's degree educators sat at the IEP meeting and said, "What's that?". My answer dredged in ignorance was, "Well, it's supposed to be a form of Autism". My only knowledge of Autism at the time was movies such as "Rain Man" or "Mercury Rising". Evidentally, so was theirs, because they said, "Oh, no. That can't be right. Kenneth isn't autistic. He's higher functioning than that."
So, began my arduous journey of discovering just what Autism was all about (who knew there was a spectrum) and specifically Asperger's. God, I wish I knew then what I know now. I wonder how many parents of autistic children, particularly of late, have mutter the same thing.
Eight years later and we are still climbing up that hill, finding surprises along the way. I have a better idea of the terrain now, but I still find myself getting lost and wonder if I will ever be a trailblazer. But I know one thing. I know what Autism is now and I can tell you all about Asperger's.
So, I'd like to have a bracelet and wear it everyday. And when someone admires it and says, "Cool bracelet. Where'd ya get it?". I can tell them all about Autism and my son and hopefully create a room of future educators who when told, "He said it was Aspergers" will respond: Ah, we thought that might be the case. Let's put our heads together and create an enviroment that will best teach your child.
Then, maybe, truly, no child will be left behind.
Recent blog post: Foggy Bottom Blues
I'm much more aware of autism since my preteen daughter was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with a mood disorder and 'high functioning' autism. We've spent the past few months adjusting our own behavior in an effort to help her learn how to modify hers. She's almost got us trained, at least. ;-)
My 3 year-old nephew has been through a gamut of evaluations over the last 2 years. He has been diagnosed with highly-functioning autism and SPD; he is incredibly intelligent, and is thankfully receiving services to help him & his family. I am inspired by your post...what a great idea!
Recent blog post: Yes, Officer, I Know My Roots Are Showing (with Update)
Living with autism is extremely difficult and especially more difficult when you have to deal with society discriminating the very individual who is Autistic. Autism is a strong topic to argue because I have a innocent, sweet five year old son who has been diagnosed with classic autism, a life disability that he cannot control nor decide if he wants it or not.
The general society in my small community discriminates him because he has a communication barrier that intertwines with his behavior. Our lives surrounded enough in chaos as it is with routines and schedules, we have the shadow of society's cruelness that hangs over us or in other words a dark cloud that follows pouring on the heavy rain. The impact of the words that people use and how they choose to use those words, hit you hard in the gut like the gut rot you may get when with the flu. Sometimes confrontation can be like a car collision, especially with my spouse who cannot even understand how people can be so ruthless towards a helpless child. I myself use to get pretty fuming mad till I be red in the face like a tomato, and which made me even more mad is when they would throw the remarks like a curve ball catching me off guard. No matter where we go in public there is always someone who has to put their two cents in about him. My son picks up on the actions of society's cruelness which makes it even more difficult because he does not understand the world as you or I understand. If those who make remarks knew him as I do, they would see that he has traveled a long way to be where he is today, I bet he might be more intelligent then those Neanderthals that cannot even think before speaking. Saying hurtful things to anyone no matter “normal” or not still hurts, just like how a surface scrap,stab wound or gun shot wound would hurt. Just because someone is different does not mean that they are any less important, they are important to someone. Society has to come to terms that there are people with differences from them and they need not to discriminate because of those differences. Especially if they have not walked in my concrete filled shoes that are at times difficult to move, people should hold their tongue before speaking. Autism in my life has been the foundation for teaching me the very patience that we all need to understand anyone with disabilities or differences, everybody needs to be treated with politeness
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