One year ago I (along with a lot of other parents) was in the state capitol in Michigan advocating almost around the clock for three days for passage of Autism Insurance Coverage for Children in the state of Michigan.  Doesn’t seem like it would be a particularly hard thing to convince someone of, does it?  You have a child with a medical diagnosis.  A child with a real neurological condition.  A child that with early treatment and intervention has a great chance to overcome many of the hurdles that their medical condition would otherwise impose on them over the course of their lifetime.  To put it more bluntly, you help these kids and you give them a more promising, productive, rewarding future.

In the midst of what seemed like the final days before Spring Break in a middle school, we (the parents, therapists, children, etc. advocating for this legislation) watched as the legislators … many in their final days as legislators … ate cake and pizza and sang songs karaoke style on the floor of the Senate (seriously).  It was truly as if they’d gotten all of their work done early and were just counting down the final hours of their tax payer funded terms before they could all go home for Christmas break (you see Virginia in Michigan our Senators and Representative collect full-time paychecks but don’t necessarily put in full-time hours or work year round).  One of the things they forgot to do though was give the kids and families in Michigan battling Autism a chance to get their children the life changing help they need.  In what amounted to politics and political gamesmanship at its best (dirtiest?) the bill was blocked and kept as far away from the floor as it could because many (even those opposing it) knew that if the bill got to the floor of the Senate there were enough votes for it to get passed.  That would have been a life changing moment for thousands of kids and families in Michigan. But alas, it was not to be.

That’s history though and the point of this post is not to idly lament history.  My point IS to ask where the champions for our kids have gone in THIS session. You see, this year – 2011 – was supposed to be different.  A ton of new members in the Senate and House meant the entire process had to start over again but THIS time we had a leg up (or maybe not) …. because THIS time we had champions in high places that cared about this legislation (do they?).  But many of us are now, on the anniversary of the crushing defeat felt last year, wondering ….. where have our Champions (or potential Champions) gone?????

Where did Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) go?  He had hearings last year.  Gave countless parents hope and encouragement as he toured around the state in 2010 heading up his Autism Insurance informational sessions.  He accepted awards and spoke at rallies talking about the need for Autism Insurance Reform. He was supposed to be a champion for Autism Insurance in the Senate. Despite the failure last year we were assured that he was a champion, we were assured the he was a fighter, we were assured he wouldn’t forget …. so where is he now as the LEADER of the Senate Republican Majority?

Where did our Champion Lt. Governor Brian Calley go?  He famously has a daughter with Autism.  He was a leading voice late in the charge for the passage of the Autism Insurance legislation last fall. He spoke out on the radio and even did a video on behalf of the legislation trying to advocate for its passage.  He took his shots from the opposition but kept charging. By his own admission his outspoken advocacy for the legislation was perhaps a bit late in the game but there is no doubt that his efforts, if ultimately unsuccessful, were important. You can see him all over the place these days as the Lt. Governor taking the Governor’s message and fight to the two chambers in Lansing and the media (the bridge to Canada, the budget, school funding, tax reform, etc.).  He had fire and passion last year for Autism Insurance Coverage for Michigan’s kids ……. but where is our Lt. Governor today?

Senator Jim Marleau – Chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee – He has supported Autism and disability rights issues for years.  He sits on the board of the nonprofit “Homes for Autism”. When it was announced that he would be the Chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee and that the Autism Insurance for Children bills would be assigned to his committee there was widespread relief.  With someone who understood the issue we all figured the odds of it getting locked and blocked in committee never to see the light of day on the Senate chamber floor (as happened last year) would be a concern we could shelf. A funny thing happened on the way out of the Health Policy committee though …… nothing (it’s like visions of last year all over again). Our potential Champion who could bring this legislation up in his committee and send it to the Senate floor, well, ummmm … he isn’t. Senator Marleau …… where are you?

Just to be clear I’m not disparaging any of these three Republican politicians. (I highlight Republican here because it IS the Republicans stopping this legislation just as it was last year.  As a conservative Republican it pains me to say this but the reason our kids in Michigan don’t have Autism coverage is because the Republicans … at least thus far …. have not wanted them to have it. The truth hurts but that doesn’t make it less true …. sadly.)  I have a tremendous amount of respect for them and believe that the leadership they could provide this State is much needed.

My frustration however is this ….. they’ve all elected to not be loud, vocal, aggressive advocates for our kids.  Despite their strength and influence and stature they’ve all elected to sit on their hands and not do anything.  Despite their vocal support of these kids and families and helping them at Autism related events ….. they’re not delivering.

Who knows, maybe I’m wrong.  Maybe behind the scenes these three potential Champions for our kids are working hard and trying to line up the votes. However, these Republicans are finishing up their first year in office. They’ve passed 231 new laws. Of those laws 95% of them have been laws championed and introduced by Republicans. That’s 231 new laws in less than a year.

So it’s not like they can’t get something they care about passed.

But not a whisper about Autism.

The rate of Autism and the number of births in the State of Michigan would suggest that over 1,000 additional children in the State of Michigan were diagnosed this past year. That’s over 1,000 additional families that are discovering that their insurance company WILL NOT cover their child.

They will not cover the life changing therapies.

They will not cover the interventions that literally will mean a savings of millions of dollars over the lifetime of that child.

Approximately 1,000 additional children were diagnosed with Autism this year and they won’t have coverage because our Senators and Representatives don’t think that they’re important enough to protect.

Michigan was one of the first states in the country to take up the Autism Insurance fight for our kids.  In the time that our State Senators, Representatives and Governors have done nothing, 29 other states have stepped up to protect their children.

A year ago I was in Lansing tonight working hard with other parents to try to get coverage passed that would have helped thousands of children and families across the state. We were fighting for our kids but we were also fighting so that those 1,000 children newly diagnosed this past year wouldn’t have to suffer like our children and families have had to suffer.

A year ago we watched the Senate singing karaoke on the floor of the chamber, glad handing each other while they ate pizza and cake and then snuck out of town after abandoning our kids.

This year’s Senate and House have also chosen to ignore these children.

Where did our Champions go?

Have they really forgotten about our kids that quickly?

Source: The Dome Magazine

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What does fate have to do with our Personal Legend? (by Mike)

There’s an important difference between blind fate and the path of the personal legend. When we speak of fate, man’s free will is absent: we are merely puppets in the hands of a cold and distant puppeteer.
In the case of personal legend, there’s the dimension of mission. This means that the person has to actively wish to thread down the path that will enable her to flourish. It is a difficult path, there are many obstacles, but it’s the person’s choice. There is always the possibility for us to turn our backs to our personal legend.

Can the heart be wrong? (by Antonya)

How will you judge that? With your mind? If you do this, you will always find ways to discredit your heart. But these are illusions.
Think of your heart as an instrument that goes beyond the typical right and wrong views. Your heart will always be your north star in life – as long as you listen to it and give it a chance to talk to you.

If the Universe says No, sometimes more than once, to something you really want, what do you do? (by Angie)

If your wish is deep-rooted in your soul, persist. If not – the Universe is simply echoing your inner turmoil.
Always ask yourself how far are you able to go in the path of your dreams. Only when you are capable of answering that question will you be able to move forward.
But don’t forget: to enjoy the rainbow, you must also enjoy the rain

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NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS FOR MOMS

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode
only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of video games flipping through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh aloud, “Oh no, now what’s the matter?”

With the dripping toilet brush still clutched in her hand,
she descended the stairs, and saw the old man.

He was covered all about with ashes and soot, which fell from his hat as he gave a small shrug.
“Oh great,” muttered the mom, “Now I’ve got to clean the rug.”

“Ho-ho-ho!” cried Santa, “I’m glad you’re awake.”
“Your gift was especially difficult to make.”

“Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some quiet time alone.”
“Exactly!” he chuckled, “I’ve made you a clone.”

“A clone?” she asked, “What good is that?
Run along, Santa Claus, I’ve got no time for chit-chat.”

Then out walked the clone.The mother’s true twin.

Same hair, same eyes, and same double chin.

“She’ll cook, she’ll dust, she’ll mop every mess.

You relax, take it easy, watch The Young & Restless.”

“Fantastic!” the mom cheered.
“My dreams have come true!
“I’ll shop. I’ll read.,
I’ll sleep the whole night through!”

Then from above she heard the the youngest child fret.
“Mommy?! I scared… and I think I got wet.”
The clone replied quickly, “I’m coming, sweetheart.”
“Hey,” the mom smiled, “She really knows her part.”

The clone changed the small one, and hummed a soft tune,
as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.

“You’re the best mommy ever.
“Mommy I really love you.”
The clone smiled and sighed,
“Darling I love you, too.”

With that the mom frowned and said, “Sorry, Santa, no deal.”
That’s my child’s love, that she’s trying to steal.”
Smiling wisely Santa said, “To me it is clear,”
Only one loving mother, will be needed here.”

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her in bed.
“Thank you, so much Santa, for clearing my head.”

“I sometimes forget, that it won’t be very long,
’til they’ll insist they’re too old, for my soft bedtime song.”

The clock on the mantle then started to chime.
And Santa whispered to the clone, “It works every time.”
With the clone by his side Santa said, “Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, Mom, You’ll be all right.”

~~ Author Unknown

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In honor of our Sensory Friendly Family “Lights Up, Sound Down” movie this weekend – Yogi Bear – here is a great classic Yogi Bear cartoon. Enjoy ….

For details on the movie this weekend please click here.

Click here for a copy of the flyer for this weekend’s movie that you can print or share with friends (email, FB, Twtitter, or in person)

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When I was young I dreamed of getting a BB gun for Christmas.  Wanted it in the worst way (yes, yes … save the Christmas Story – Ralphie references).

Thinking back it was probably the one Christmas gift over all of the years, as a child or as an adult, that I wanted the most (ok, well that and the “Olivia Newton John Greatest Hits #2 when I was 8) …. until now.

If only THIS product were real …. maybe Santa could have his elves whip one up (they are magical after all):

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We’re near the end of the year and that frequently means taking some time to get mentally quiet and reflect on where you are in your life and where you want to go in the next 1-2-5-7-10 years.  It’s also a great time to sit down with your children and teach them to do the same. A book that I really like and sometimes fall back on during this end of the year reflection is the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.  I’ve quoted him here before but this selection below is why I really like this author … and this book:

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked, when they had made camp that day.

“Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.”

“But my heart is agitated,” the boy said. “It has its dreams, it gets emotional, and it’s become passionate over a woman of the desert. It asks things of me, and it keeps me from sleeping many nights, when I’m thinking about her.”

“Well, that’s good. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say.”

“My heart is a traitor,” the boy said to the alchemist, when they had paused to rest the horses. “It doesn’t want me to go on.”

“That makes sense. Naturally it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.”

“Well, then, why should I listen to my heart?”

“Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what you’re thinking about life and about the world.”

“You mean I should listen, even if it’s treasonous?”

“Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly. If you know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you. Because you’ll know its dreams and wishes, and will know how to deal with them.

“My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,” the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

“Every second of the search is an encounter with God,” the boy told his heart.

“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him,” his heart said. “We, people’s hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later, we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them—the path to their destinies, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out indeed, to be threatening place.

“So, we, their hearts, speak more and more softly. We never stop speaking out, but we begin to hope that our words won’t be heard: we don’t want people to suffer because they don’t follow their hearts.”

Here’s hoping that in the next year we all spend more time following our hearts and teaching our children to do the same.  Following your heart won’t insure success (nor prevent the bumps in the road) but it’s the only way to insure even a chance of happiness in the short …. or long term.

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Regardless of your politics or personal feelings there is a beauty and honesty in this quote that can, hopefully, give us all pause today:

“The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.”

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