Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Ian Lived So That We Could Learn...

I met Ian, and his mom Deanna, when I agreed to be the point of contact for Captain Joe Mickley who wrote to David Kirby HERE.

Deanna will be on Autism One Radio on January 29, 2009 2:00 to 2:30 EST. Please visit Ian Gromowski and the Gromowski Family. Read Ian's story. See Ian's life.

Deanna and I both felt an instant kinship. The Hep B vaccine brought Ian's sunset. The Hep B vaccine caused my own son, Isaac, to develop an autism spectrum disorder. Ian tugs at my heart everyday to keep moving and pressing forward; for my kids and all of our kids. The image of his precious and innocent face is forever burned into my brain. And what Ian endured in his 47 days on this earth, so that we could learn from him, commands the utmost respect.

Ian, My little man... words can never describe what is in my heart, but I know, you know. You are the epitome of a Warrior Son.

Deanna, You my Kindred Spirit, are the ultimate Mother Warrior. I think, my dear, that you have already kicked cancer's ass!!! Yes... I believe so. You and Ian have much work to do, and you are not allowed to leave work early!

Scott, Warrior Father... You are a MAN! You've stepped up to the plate when other "guys" would back away. I pray for you and your family's strength every single day. You are truly a man.

Vance, You, my little buddy; you are showing us the difference. You are a Warrior Brother. I know what your Mommy and Daddy have done, and I know you will be a voice for your brother Ian, and you, have made change!

So... Deanna, Scott, Ian, and Vance... I love you.
In Kindred Spirit,
Ang




Posted by Angela Warner at 11:16 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

And The PECS Winners Are...


Drum Roll Please :D

Michelle P., Ann O., and Asylumelissa!!! Congratulations!!!

Send me an email - autismrr at gmail dot com - with your name and mailing address and I will get them off to you ASAP!

Now, this is for everyone now and anyone who may happen across this post in the future. I have a document that is on my PC that is pages and pages of all kinds of really good PECS. They are separated so they're ready for cutting and laminating. You can pick up a decent laminator at Target (GOD I love Target!) (It's the abc laminator) for around $25.00. The sheets are reasonably priced as well. Now here's a few little tips I figured out. Get some good heavy card stock. I found some good stuff at Office Max - 250 sheets for $11.00. Then you need one of those little tape things like you use for scrapbooking. Stick the pecs cards to the inside of the laminate sheet so they will stay in place when you're getting it ready and when you laminate! One last thing... if it comes out kind of foggy, run it through the laminator again.

Hope this is helpful, and I'll look forward to hearing from you!

Ang

P.S. I do have more PECS that I plan on giving away - the sets just won't be quite as complete - so stay tuned!




Posted by Angela Warner at 4:26 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Faith's Bill: End Seclusion, Restraint, and Abuse In Our Schools Against Our Children!

This past Friday I received a highly disturbing email. We've all heard about the seclusion, restraint, and outright abuse of our children with autism by those we trust to provide our children with an education. My son, Nathan, was one of those children who suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of his teacher, just this past spring.

The email was a posting on a military yahoo group I belong to, and was from Michael E. Robinson, Sr., who is the Director of The Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children. When I read his posting, I knew I had to reach out and help in any way I could. Of course me being the person that I am, I had to "meet" Michael first. So I called him up! Let me tell you, Michael is AMAZING! and the autism community has a solid and devoted supporter of putting an end to the abuse that our children suffer. Michael has drafted Faith's Bill, and is looking for feedback from the autism community.

"Either way until they figure out how to properly certify the use of
ANY restraint or use ANY seclusion, we must Ban it as a Nation. Too
many children have died over simple non compliance. A little disabled
girl goes to jail in handcuffs in Idaho because she couldn't wear a
shirt ?"
Michael E. Robinson, Sr.
And this was the link...
Battery charges dropped against 8-year-old girl in N. Idaho

They were considering charging an eight year old with autism? The crime was committed by the school. Children have died. Faith has died, and at the hands of educators. It should be a federal crime. What Nathan went through along with another child in his classroom (whose mother is a close friend of mine), should be a federal crime. Almost a year later the memories still tramatize him, and his friend as well. Just so ya know... The teacher that was responsible for my son's injury... well... she no longer has her job.

Another quote from Mike...

"How stupid does this have to get ? How come they couldn't simply let
a child with a disability be a Child ? Until they can there's no
other choice at this point other than to put legislation before
congress and our new President and have Seclusion and Illegal
Restraint banned."

Please provide Mike with your feedback for Faith's Bill. The injury, abuse, and killing of our children, because they have autism, MUST STOP! You can reach Mike at Peace4kids at yahoo dot com.




Posted by Angela Warner at 12:56 AM 2 comments

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Not Romantic or Sexy, But Definitely An Autism Contest!

I've announced the WINNERS HERE!!!



I know... cheeky title! I couldn't help it with Kim's contest title ( HERE). I've had these PECS hanging around for awhile now. I decided I needed to do something with them. So I took an afternoon and went through each drawer, all 120 of them, and came up with this.



Not just one, not two, but three of these bags. Each bag has at least 140 PECS, if not more. They are laminated and some have velcro already on the back. And I am giving them away!!! It makes no difference whether you are a military or civilian parent, or a teacher or therapist just starting out on this journey. All I care about is seeing these go somewhere where they are going to get used and children are going to be helped.

So leave a comment to enter. I'll be announcing the winner before the end of the month so stay tuned!




Posted by Angela Warner at 6:05 PM 28 comments

Autism, Romance, and Sexy??? What???


Have you ever uttered those three words in the same sentence? Well you just might after reading Kay's book!!!

Wanna win a signed copy? Well, hop on over to Kim's Blog. Kim interviewed Kay, and man if I don't win this book, I'll be buying it. First novel I'll have read in years. Now go to Kim's Blog and leave a comment to win!




Posted by Angela Warner at 5:42 PM 3 comments

Sunday, January 11, 2009

A Big Autism Salutes For David Warner II !!!

Yes, that's right, an Autism Salutes for my husband! He is my best friend. He is a wonderful father to our four children. And today it was announced that my husband, Dave, was awarded Airman of the Year for the 142nd Fighter Wing!!!

Dave, I am so incredibly proud of you that it brings tears to my eyes. You are a man of great integrity and great strength. I knew it the minute our eyes met across the bar in Wild Wing Cafe twelve and a half years ago, and your integrity and strength grow stronger with each passing year. I am just so damn proud of you and I love you with all of my soul!

Ok... enough mush! Let me tell you a little about my husband. Dave works in Financial Management. He makes sure people get paid.

Dave has helped many military families who have children with autism and other special needs, get travel and expense related issues resolved in order for these families to get their children's treatment needs met, without undue financial hardship being placed on the family. Outside of work hours. These were not just 50 mile trips. These were families who travelled hundreds, if not, thousands of miles for major medical treatment. My husband was honored to help them.

Another example, and this one I always found amusing, involved our Base Commander. The Colonel had gone TDY (temporary duty station), and upon his return was required to submit his travel voucher to get re-imbursed for any related expenses. The Colonel turned in his paperwork, and Dave found a msitake. He then called the Colonel who said he could live without the twenty cents. My husband made the Colonel re-submit his travel voucher because the Colonel was due the twenty cents. I laughed so hard when Dave told me this story! Yeh... He's like that!

So... Dave sends me an email later this morning telling me to go buy a new dress. Ahhh... yes... there is an awards banquet. Semi-formal at that. So I looked up some pictures of where the event is going to be held. Ohhhh my... A new dress. New shoes. And matching handbag. Yes, they are NECESSARY. You're talking, here, about an autism mom who gave up "dressing" a long time ago. I'm a naked faced, hair plopped on top of my head (most of the time), cami top, jeans and Birkie wearin', Ameribag sling "purse" carryin' momma! Good grief, I don't even own a bottle of hairspray... or any gel for that matter. And what to do with this mop of mine? I certainly am not going to cut it off! I'm growing it out really long again, so I can lop off a foot to donate to Locks of Love, and still have some hair left. I have no time for daily styling, you see! :D Yes, me... the ex-hair-artist. That was another life and a story for another day. Open to suggestions... you know how to get ahold of me! :D

This is going to be a fun adventure for me. I've got two months to prepare. And I am very sure that it will be absolutely wonderful for my husband that I am just so proud of, to see me "dolled" up, knowing that we're "steppin' out" to celebrate his achievement and award for Airman of the Year!!!

Ok... one more mush. Dave! YOU ROCK!!! And I LOVE YOU!!!




Posted by Angela Warner at 5:26 PM 18 comments

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Autism Salutes!!! My Dad... Rex Ivan!!!

He was a Father Warrior way before his time. He would have given the shirt off his back if you needed it more than he did.

Twenty-five years ago about this time (10 pm) the Johnny Carson show was "coming on". I was in bed; tired from ballet practice for an upcoming recital. My mom had picked me up from practice about 8:00 pm. We arrived home and my dad was gone. No biggie... I grabbed some food and off to bed. All was fine. Hell, he was gone trysting those nearby mountains with nothing more than a knife and 38 Special for almost two days to reach a spot.

But it was not fine. Over the intro to the Carson show my mom heard the sirens and knew something was wrong. We lived in a small community in Arizona... now it would be called the burbs of a small city... not in 1984...rural.

My mom followed the sirens. They led her to the vacant lot (undeveloped) across the street from one of my best friends home. There is a reason he was there. Jerome, Arizona. Mingus Mountain... Have you ever seen at it night? When it's pitch black? Jerome floats. It's the City in the Sky. My dad used to love to look at Jerome on nights such as this. Pitch Black.

Twenty - Five years ago and it is still difficult for me to "go there". I wake up... my dad has been in an accident. His car exploded in the vacant lot across the street from Melissa's home. Melissa's dad was the person who called the Fire Dept. Eight minutes elapse... They found him in the backseat of the car. I've talked with a few of the officers and fire chiefs who were there and remember the scene and investigation.

For those curious... those conversations happened after my boys were diagnosed.

It was a '78 Nova. My grandparents are on their way. A 20 minute drive. I think I fall asleep again. I do not understand it all. Then my grandparents and I are at the hospital and I see my dad. Bandaged from head to who knows where. My dad who has second and third degree burns over 80% of his body sees me, and reaches out to hug me. He lived for two months to the day.

I learned alot from my dad during those two months. And he was never conscience again.

Daddy, I Love You




Posted by Angela Warner at 12:56 AM 3 comments
Newer Posts Older Posts Home
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)