The Heart Expands(Project Autism Awareness)

 

     April is Autism Awareness Month. For the past month, I’ve been honored to work with other bloggers, parents, and supporters of this cause. We’ve joined together for a month-long online event-Project Autism Awareness. For more links, information, and inspiration, please visit https://www.facebook.com/PlumTreeBooks.

     At the end of this post, I’ve listed other blogs, whose authors have generously donated their time and talent to share personal stories and educate readers about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  

 

The Heart Expands

A Poem by Tonia Harris

 Dedicated to Cass, and her son, Elijah

 If you lean in close,

press your ears to the secret

on this child’s lips,

I will tell you

“You are not alone. I love you.”

I can teach you to fly

inside your mind.

I can teach you to sing

when tears are caught in your throat.

I can teach you to be still

when colors are too bright and the world is dizzy.

I know how it feels to get lost

in the kaleidoscope of days,

minutes ticking into years,

when fear is a weight

so pressing it chokes.

Lie down in green grass

brushed golden by the sun.

Smell the wild roses

and let your breath rest

on the wing of a dragonfly.

Take this leaf to press

between the fragile pages of memories

and always remember that it was me

who taught you that in the stillness

of one moment

the heart expands.

Blog Roll for Project Autism Awareness:

Brianna Soloski  Girl Seeks Place  http://girlseeksplace.wordpress.com  

Niamh Clune  On the Plum Tree  http://ontheplumtree.wordpress.com  

 Karen S. Elliott  The Word Shark  http://karenselliott.wordpress.com     

 Jontybabe(JB Johnston) It’s a Crazy World! http://jontybabe.blogspot.com 

 Deb Hockenberry  The Bumpy Road to Writing for Children            http://thebumpyroadtopublishing.blogspot.com                                    

 Lorhainne Eckhart  The Choice of Giving  http://lorhainneeckhart.wordpress.com

 Heather Reid  I’d Rather be Writing  www.heatherlreid.com 

 DiAnne Ebejer DiAnne’s Place http://ebbiesplace.blogspot.com

Autism Awareness by Janice Kelly

Autism Awareness by Janice Kelly.

Beautiful Elijah, The True Story of a Boy

 

                                         The Beginning, A Love Story    

 Once upon a time I witnessed a love story from the sidelines.  Kenny met free-spirited Cassie, convinced her to date him, and a whirlwind ensued.  I watched this little tornado, spreading joy in place of destruction in its’ path, and felt the world was a better place for their love. 

     The world is a better place. 

      As with any good story, out of their love, a handsome prince is born.   This prince is beautiful and special.  He grows up like many princes do, with a mother, father, and a lovely older sister, a princess named Katlin.  He loves nature, music, playing outside, running, and swimming.  One of his many endearing qualities is his habit of picking up a leaf, or a clover, and carrying it with him like a talisman.  

 - These are the eyes to make Paul Newman jealous.

                                  Elijah Has Autism

     Cassie and Kenny felt in their hearts that something was different about Elijah.  One year before his official diagnosis, Elijah began to display classic symptoms of Autism.  Elijah hums for long periods and waves his arms and hands.  His speech is minimal, and he communicates with echolalia.  Echolalia is a repetitive form of speech, Elijah often echoes phrases he hears in movies and from the people around him. 

     Cassie has shared with me that, yes, they did shed some tears.  From time to time, they still do.  “We love him.  He is interesting,” She says. 

          Elijah Rocks

     Elijah is now six and joins the ranks of first grade this year. 

     A local business, Samuel Music, offered a contest for a guitar on Facebook.  They were overwhelmed with votes.  Elijah won by a landslide.  This year, his parents hope to enroll him for guitar lessons. 

      Elijah inherited his zest for life from both parents and his passion for music from his mother.  She sings, plays the flute, and calls upon the graciousness of local musicians to perform for a local festival to raise funds and awareness for autism.  Cassie, Kenny, Katlin, and Elijah are a shining force in the modern world.  They inspire.  Cassie says it best,”Whatever your gift is, I hope you shine.  Be a light, be embraceable, be you.”

http://youtu.be/6voJjexENok

    

 

 

Seven Facts about Autism

     This Sunday, I will introduce Cassie Wheeler, and her beautiful son, Elijah, to you.  I am honoured and my hope is to give Autism a face and share their story.  They are gorgeous people, and I want to focus on them, and not that yes, Elijah has autism.  That being said, I may have wonderful readers with a few questions.  I have done research, and there is a great deal of information available.  The following is a synopsis of this information.  I encourage you to learn more about autism, volunteer and donate if you have the resources.  Two links I suggest are http://www.autismspeaks.org and http://www.face-autism.org.  Thank you for visiting, and I hope you drop by later to read about my heroes, Cassie and Elijah Wheeler.  And, of course, I welcome comments and discussion.

7 Facts:

1.  Autism is a general term used to describe biological disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders(PDD).

2.  Note that autism is a “spectrum disorder.”  This means it reveals itself in several different forms.

3.  Symptoms appear within the first three years of life.  Children may display difficulty with the following:

                                 – imaginative play

                                – social skills

                                – communication: verbal and nonverbal.

4.  Autism is linked to abnormal biology and chemistry of the brain.

5.  It is important to remember that exact causes are unknown.  This field of research is ongoing.  Possible causes are as follows:

                                   - genetic factors

                                   – diet

                                   - mercury poisoning

                                   – vaccine sensitivity.

     *The American Academy of Pediatrics states that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks.

6.  Autism affects 1 in every 110 children, it is more prevalent than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric HIV, combined.  Statistics propose this rate increases 10- 17% each year.

7.  Autism impacts boys three to four more times than girls.