Okay so I know I have not blogged in a long time, but I am a senior in college and trying to get through my first few weeks. I wanted to post this though so many people can see it. It is a video title I Am Autism and it is great. Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdcDlQVYtM
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-Off
It is the second annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks in Columbus, Ohio and we are gearing up for another exciting year. I recently attended this amazing event and besides the great food and the fabulous decor put on by the Limited, the speakers were just as amazing this year.
A few things that I wanted to point out about this event still have stuck in my mind even though this event occurred 5 weeks ago. The first is about this high school boy who spoke. He talked about what it meant to be a hero and how being an athlete he was his brothers hero (his brother is on the spectrum). Little did his younger brother know, but he was this high schooler's hero. Out of all the NFL, NBA, and MLB players this high schooler's younger brother who has special needs was his hero. This really touched me because when you think of hero you think of those all stars when in the end it is really the one who has saved you and been with you through it all. It was exciting to see that even high school kids can understand what it means to be different and to stand out.
The second thing that was great about this night was the main speaker. Harry Slatkin is the President of Limited Brands Home Design and his 9 year old son is on the spectrum. Last year at this time Harry and his wife decided to place their son in a home due to his violence and his lack of improvement through all types of therapy. This year Harry was happy to report that ever since his son's move to this amazing home for children on the spectrum, he has improved significantly and is no longer violent.
The third and final thing I wanted to talk about from this event was the decor. There were kites hung all over the place and an e-mail was sent to our Kick-off chair person Michele Worthington from Matthew with Zen Genius who described the decor for the event and the e-mail goes like this:
"The kites above us with all the wonderful pictures of our kiddos are there to inspire and encourage action for people who have autism and to remind us how beautiful the results can be. Also worth noting Matthew said, is that the kite dances not always easy. Sometimes it takes a dramatic dip, tumbling to the ground with no warning or understanding, just like the struggles of those who live with autism."
The last note I want to leave is the reason why I walk: I walk to give back hope.
A few things that I wanted to point out about this event still have stuck in my mind even though this event occurred 5 weeks ago. The first is about this high school boy who spoke. He talked about what it meant to be a hero and how being an athlete he was his brothers hero (his brother is on the spectrum). Little did his younger brother know, but he was this high schooler's hero. Out of all the NFL, NBA, and MLB players this high schooler's younger brother who has special needs was his hero. This really touched me because when you think of hero you think of those all stars when in the end it is really the one who has saved you and been with you through it all. It was exciting to see that even high school kids can understand what it means to be different and to stand out.
The second thing that was great about this night was the main speaker. Harry Slatkin is the President of Limited Brands Home Design and his 9 year old son is on the spectrum. Last year at this time Harry and his wife decided to place their son in a home due to his violence and his lack of improvement through all types of therapy. This year Harry was happy to report that ever since his son's move to this amazing home for children on the spectrum, he has improved significantly and is no longer violent.
The third and final thing I wanted to talk about from this event was the decor. There were kites hung all over the place and an e-mail was sent to our Kick-off chair person Michele Worthington from Matthew with Zen Genius who described the decor for the event and the e-mail goes like this:
"The kites above us with all the wonderful pictures of our kiddos are there to inspire and encourage action for people who have autism and to remind us how beautiful the results can be. Also worth noting Matthew said, is that the kite dances not always easy. Sometimes it takes a dramatic dip, tumbling to the ground with no warning or understanding, just like the struggles of those who live with autism."
The last note I want to leave is the reason why I walk: I walk to give back hope.
Autism Speaks: Making a Difference in OHIO
For many people, they are unaware of what certain organizations do for their state. Autism Speaks is one of them. There are many Ohioans who believe that Autism Speaks does not give back to the Ohio community and that is completely wrong. I recently attended the Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-Off event in Columbus and received this handout so that I could share information with others people. The information listed below is specific to Ohio, but if you would like to know what Autism Speaks does for your state visit their website at autismspeaks.org
The mission of Autism Speaks is dedicated to increase awareness, research, advocacy and family services for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Speaks has committed over $98 million in grants to support 773 promising research projects and fellowships into the causes and treatments of autism. The investment in these research grants alone has been leveraged into nearly $153 million in NIH and other funding. In Ohio, 14 projects representing over $2.6 million in investments have been funded:
Case Western Reserve University- Cleveland, OH
CNS pattern Formulation and the Etiology of Autism
The Engrailed-2 Mutant as a Model of Neuropathology of Autism
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center/ Research Foundation- Cincinnati, OH
Genetic Control of Mammalian Amygdalar Development
Immune Phenotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Does Immune System dysfunction play a role in autism?
Genome-wide Association Study of Autism Characterized by Developmental Regression
Participating in the Autism Treatment Network (ATN). The ATN is the nation's first network of hospitals and physicians dedicated to developing a model of comprehensive medical care for children and adolescents with autism.
Cleveland State University- Cleveland, OH
A play and Joint Attention Intervention fro Preschool Teachers and Young Children with Autism
Ohio State University/Ohio State University Medical Center- Columbus, OH
Risperidone and Behavior Therapy in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder: Long Term Follow-up
Neuronal Nicotonic Receptor Modulation in the Treatment of Autism: A Pilot Trial of Mecamylamine
Pharmacological Modulation of Functional Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Participating in the Clincal Trial Network (CTN) study on Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). THe CTN focuses on translational research, the critical step necessary to transfer findings from the laboratory to clinical application.
The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Ohio State University- Columbus, OH
Autism Genome Project (AGP) Data Coordinating Center
The Autism Simplex Consortium (TASC) Data Coordinating Center
Wright State University- Dayton, OH
Neuro-Endocrine Peptide Hormones are Implicated in Social Behavior Development: Oxytocin involvement in Autism
Cellular mechanisms controlling central oxytocinergic activity: Role in the pathophysiology of autism.
The mission of Autism Speaks is dedicated to increase awareness, research, advocacy and family services for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Speaks has committed over $98 million in grants to support 773 promising research projects and fellowships into the causes and treatments of autism. The investment in these research grants alone has been leveraged into nearly $153 million in NIH and other funding. In Ohio, 14 projects representing over $2.6 million in investments have been funded:
Case Western Reserve University- Cleveland, OH
CNS pattern Formulation and the Etiology of Autism
The Engrailed-2 Mutant as a Model of Neuropathology of Autism
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center/ Research Foundation- Cincinnati, OH
Genetic Control of Mammalian Amygdalar Development
Immune Phenotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Does Immune System dysfunction play a role in autism?
Genome-wide Association Study of Autism Characterized by Developmental Regression
Participating in the Autism Treatment Network (ATN). The ATN is the nation's first network of hospitals and physicians dedicated to developing a model of comprehensive medical care for children and adolescents with autism.
Cleveland State University- Cleveland, OH
A play and Joint Attention Intervention fro Preschool Teachers and Young Children with Autism
Ohio State University/Ohio State University Medical Center- Columbus, OH
Risperidone and Behavior Therapy in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder: Long Term Follow-up
Neuronal Nicotonic Receptor Modulation in the Treatment of Autism: A Pilot Trial of Mecamylamine
Pharmacological Modulation of Functional Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Participating in the Clincal Trial Network (CTN) study on Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). THe CTN focuses on translational research, the critical step necessary to transfer findings from the laboratory to clinical application.
The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Ohio State University- Columbus, OH
Autism Genome Project (AGP) Data Coordinating Center
The Autism Simplex Consortium (TASC) Data Coordinating Center
Wright State University- Dayton, OH
Neuro-Endocrine Peptide Hormones are Implicated in Social Behavior Development: Oxytocin involvement in Autism
Cellular mechanisms controlling central oxytocinergic activity: Role in the pathophysiology of autism.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Movie Review: The Ugly Truth
An ABSOLUTE must see movie!!! The Ugly Truth stars Katherine Heigel and Gerard Butler in a romantic comedy that will have to laughing and smiling through the whole show time. Katherine plays Abby that is a producer of a Morning show. Gerard plays Mike a new raunchy hire by Abby's boss. Mike tells it like it is when it comes to relationships and in order to "keep" his job he begins to help Abby catch her really hot neighbor doctor, Colin, played by Eric Winter.
While he is teaching her how to flirt and helping her catch the guy, he begins to fall for Abby but does not tell her this. Just like in any romantic comedy when it comes down to the end, Mike leaves and moves to another station while they both fight feelings for each other. In the end they come back together and live happily ever after :) Gets a 5 out of 5 from me!
While he is teaching her how to flirt and helping her catch the guy, he begins to fall for Abby but does not tell her this. Just like in any romantic comedy when it comes down to the end, Mike leaves and moves to another station while they both fight feelings for each other. In the end they come back together and live happily ever after :) Gets a 5 out of 5 from me!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
AHA! A Hands-On Adventure
Located in Lancaster, OH this kids museum brings having fun and learning together. I was able to take two girls that I watch to this place and we had a blast and it was full of learning opportunities. They have a dress up station with a stage that not only has curtains, but lights and microphones that the kids themselves can operate. They also have a pizza making station where kids make fake pizzas and can bake them in an oven and either serve them on a plate or place them in a delivery box. They have a grocery store where kids can fill their cart and check out with play money. They also have a bank where kids can walk up and make deposits and withdrawal play money. There is a reading station, a honeycomb jungle gym, an arts and craft section and a small tumbling section for 3 year olds and under. They also have a veterinary station where kids can bandage up animals and look at real x-rays. In the bigger room there is a wood framed house where kids are allowed to put their own bricks up. A sand and lego table along with a face painting station. They also have a water feature where kids can make their own damns and make a cool water feature by using PVC piping. They have a boat that kids can stand on and fish. After they have caught a fish they can measure it and see how big it really is. They also have a gardening station where kids can pick a flower, place it in a pot and add dirt to it, water it, and let it grow.
This was a really fun time for the kids and even though sometimes it can get crowded there are plenty of things to do.
The kids I took could not stop talking about it and they really enjoyed themselves. It is not only worth the drive, but also the $5 ticket price.
The link is listed below if you would like to check this place out for yourself. While there they were getting ready to add on more activities for children which include a Fire Engine, question boxes, and a ball mountain.
http://www.aha4kids.org/Default.aspx
This was a really fun time for the kids and even though sometimes it can get crowded there are plenty of things to do.
The kids I took could not stop talking about it and they really enjoyed themselves. It is not only worth the drive, but also the $5 ticket price.
The link is listed below if you would like to check this place out for yourself. While there they were getting ready to add on more activities for children which include a Fire Engine, question boxes, and a ball mountain.
http://www.aha4kids.org/Default.aspx
Book Review: Kite Runner
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is about two boys growing up in Afghanistan. These two boys are friends even though one, Hassan, is a servant for the other, Amir. Throughout the beginning of the book, Amir cannot figure out why his father loves Hassan just as much as he is loved and gets jealous. Amir then lies and says that Hassan stole something from him and Hassan and his father have to leave. Amir's father is heartbroken but moves on. The war in Afghanistan begins and Amir and his father escape to American.
Fast forward to 2001 and Amir is a grown thirty year old man, now married and his father has died. He gets a phone call to head back to Afighanistan to do a final wish for a family friend and to make ammends. When he gets back to the Middle East he learns that the dear friend he betrayed was married and had a son, but was killed. Amir must now go back into the war torn country to find Hassan's son, whom he has now learned is his half nephew to take him to another safer orphanage. Amir does this and succeeds, but not without trials and turmoil. He then learns that there really was no safer orphanage and bring is nephew to America to live with his wife and him.
This story is truly surreal and it has such a compelling background. Throughout the book you hope for the best, even though it rarely happens and are happy at the end that after all they have been through they all are able to be together again.
I give this book a 5 out of 5 and encourage anyone and everyone to read it.
Fast forward to 2001 and Amir is a grown thirty year old man, now married and his father has died. He gets a phone call to head back to Afighanistan to do a final wish for a family friend and to make ammends. When he gets back to the Middle East he learns that the dear friend he betrayed was married and had a son, but was killed. Amir must now go back into the war torn country to find Hassan's son, whom he has now learned is his half nephew to take him to another safer orphanage. Amir does this and succeeds, but not without trials and turmoil. He then learns that there really was no safer orphanage and bring is nephew to America to live with his wife and him.
This story is truly surreal and it has such a compelling background. Throughout the book you hope for the best, even though it rarely happens and are happy at the end that after all they have been through they all are able to be together again.
I give this book a 5 out of 5 and encourage anyone and everyone to read it.
Columbus Symphony Orchastra: Popcorn Pops
This year I was able to take a little girl I baby-sit for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and was not sure what to expect. They have a special one-hour show on Friday nights during their season for children where many organizations come to help entertain the youngsters. The Ohio Wildlife Center came and brought a hawk, the Columbus Museum of Art came and allowed for crafts, many music companies came and brought instruments children could try out and play. Along with all the activities to keep you busy before the orchestra started, they also sold pizza, snow cones, and ice cream by Graeter's. The port-a-potties were very clean and they allowed you to leave to your car and come back in without any fuss. They also allowed strollers and wagons along with food and beverages. The Popcorn Pops is a younger rendition of their Picnic with the Pops that happens on Saturday nights.
The theme for this evening's events were Remarkable Farkle, which is based off a book, The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow. Along with fun music that everyone (even the Children know) they tell the story. The two songs we sang this evening were Oh Susanna, and Michael Finnigan. At the end we all got up and did the hokey pokey and have a great time. I cannot wait to do this again and if you have young kids and are looking for something to on a Friday night this is it. It is only an hour long and it is enjoyable for all ages.
The theme for this evening's events were Remarkable Farkle, which is based off a book, The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow. Along with fun music that everyone (even the Children know) they tell the story. The two songs we sang this evening were Oh Susanna, and Michael Finnigan. At the end we all got up and did the hokey pokey and have a great time. I cannot wait to do this again and if you have young kids and are looking for something to on a Friday night this is it. It is only an hour long and it is enjoyable for all ages.
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