Welcome

Thank you for reading my blog.  I know how busy you are.

My day to day life involves two small children, both girls that are five and two.  Our five year old was diagnosed with autism a few months after her second birthday.  We've been holding our breath sorta, kinda about our two year old, but we can safely say she is neurotypical.  Phew. Phew. Phew.

I was super-lucky when we heard the news about our older daughter's diagnosis.  I googled and found hope.  The day after the diagnosis she was gluten, casein and soy free.  I read it could help, and by God I do everything in my power to help. I'm a very no-nonsense sort of person.  I act and then experience the emotions later.  I don't have a lot of tolerance for hemming and hawing about stuff.  In my journey, when I flounder, it isn't a good idea for me or my family.

The diet was first.  Getting us on waiting lists for services and clinicians was next.  The DAN movement was about a month later when we talked our way into an appointment with a now famous DAN doctor (the nurse simply couldn't keep telling me day after day that the doctor didn't have 15 minutes for us).  I knew deep down that my daughter was ill.  She looked and acted it.  I thought if I improved her health, she would be cured.  Yes, I said cured.

I was wrong.  I love Jenny McCarthy's image of a kid getting hit by a bus best.  After getting hit by a bus, no one will ever be cured but he/she could recover from the injuries.  My daughter has made tremendous gains over the past few years.  She is not recovered, by any means.  She speaks and plays.  She's very gifted cognitively.  She is anxious and inapporpriate socially.  Her biggest challenges  are socially, visual-spatially, vestibular/motor planning and her expressive speech.

This is where we are after spending every minute helping her recover for almost three years now.  Did I mention every dime we have (and don't have) too?

My husband is a creative genius.  One of the many reasons that I married him.  He came up with this brilliant idea of free stuff for families impacted by autism in the shower one morning.  Can I be cynical?  He often comes up with great ideas and then someone else becomes rich because he never organizes himself behind the idea.  He got organized.  Got amazing people in Hollywood to work for free for autismfreezone.  Got people excited about this idea, including the guy who helped start Craig's List---I thought that was pretty cool when I heard he had several meetings with him.  I'm proud of him.

It makes total sense to me.  People joining together as a community to act jointly to get things for less or for free.  Ummmmm...isn't that what Costco is all about...they've done pretty well for themselves.  Let us do the same.

 

Comments

[lisa]

This is a wonderful idea! I have so many things my son no longer uses and have been thinking about how to give to another autistic child. I dont personally know any in our area his age ( 2 )I hope you get your 500 members soon as I cant wait to get started : )

[Royce]

Lisa,

Thanks for your positive comment. We thought this was a great idea, and we are so excited that others agree. We have a million things that over the years we don't need anymore, but we don't know what to do with them either. Hard to throw away because you know how much they cost. Not really appropriate for a garage sale.

We have books, OT apparatus, vitamin supplements that have never been opened, DVDs, etc. that we can happily pass along to another family.

Now if the 100 members that signed up this weekend could get one friend to sign up this week, next week at this time, we will have doubled our membership. There is so much power in numbers.

Thank you so much,
Royce

[Mary H]

Great idea! Count me in. I am mom to two--one who was severely autistic with only 5 words of sponteaneous speech at age 4, no eye contact, testing at 18 mo. level for receptive language. We started with the diet and miraculously, after 9 days he "woke up" and began talking in 4-5 word sentences. I thought we were so close to a cure! but we have spent the last 6 years working on the remaining issues. As a single mom without child support who was dedicated to recovery, I spent all my savings to do what I could before the "window" closed. My son is doing really well. He is amazingly intelligent, verbal and affectionate. But we struggle financially every day to afford the supplements, foods, etc. that keep him on track.
I am joining and passing the word. I have have things to share. I'm also a creative person--I do graphic design and art direction for publications. Perhaps my talents would be of use in the future...
Mary

[Royce]

Mary-

You rock. I am not a single mother, and we struggle each and every day to heal our daughter. I can only imagine how overwhelming it would be if I didn't have a partner. Thank you for sharing your story. Your talents sound like they will be needed VERY soon. We will surely be in touch.

We really appreciate your spreading the word. We have close to 125 members so far!!! I think people are signing up because we all need finanical help on this crazy journey we call life.

All the best,
Royce

[Patricia Reid]

I think it is a fabulous idea! Such a great and valuable tool for everyone involved with Autsim. I am a mom/wife of 3 kids and one on the spectrum. Thank you for starting this wonderful website. I made a post on Parents.com website about this and learned of this on cafemom so word is spreading fast!

[Royce]

Patricia:

Thank you for spreading the word and sharing your story. Spreading the word is precisely how we will be a HUGE force for companies, clinicians and each other. We can get discounts and deals as a cohesive and organized group.

You are 224th person to sign up! We are astounded and so grateful for everyone's interest. Thank you, thank you.

Best,
Royce

[Jeanne]

This idea is incredible! I am already thinking of all the "things" I have that I am going to pass on to someone else... for free! I love it!

You guys made my day!

[Royce]

Jeanne-

You rock. Thanks for your positivity. It's contagious. We can't wait to get the free market up and running.

Best,
Royce

[Kathy]

Thank you so much for your passion and your initiative...this is a diagnosis that knocks the whole family on their your know what...and affects us all in so many ways...we were lucky to get an early diagnosis and to be able to start treatment early, but it never feels like enough. I could totally relate to your words...our children are precious, they are in there, and I, like all other mommies, want to know mine, and I think I will...

[Royce]

You are right, Kathy. So much of the work we do is merely to feel related to our children. Thank you for your support.