Hope and Freedom x 3!!

It is that time again! The Hope and Freedom Film Festival in Long Beach California! Truly an inspiring mission being layed out for stories to be told. Important heart-filled stories. Stories to inspire dialogues that change things in our world. Examining human nature and why people do what they do?!! Putting spotlights on injustices and many ‘under the surface issues people battle against!’

Nothing new about that on the AutismHWY! That is why we are 1000% behind this fantastic FILM FESTIVAL each and every year! This Saturday May 12th come on down to the Art Theatre on 4th st in Long Beach. 10:00 am will begin the day.

 Between 10:00 and 12:00 you will be treated to a Student Congress organized debate. Where selected High School and College students will kick-things off  debating a community chosen topic. 2 debaters will be awarded $250.00 cash! One recipient will be decided by an audience vote and the other recipient will be chosen from a panel of experts! Fantastic start for a very spirited day!

The 1st film will be at 12:00 noon: “THE END/ BEGINNING: CAMBODIA”

This film shows how the end can sometimes be the beginning of something precious, as families valiantly escaped from Cambodia. 

Directly after the film at 12:30 there will be a very important speaker; an actual  refugee from 1981 Dr. Sam Keo. Dr. Keo has been helping others by working as a Clinical Psychologist for the County of Los Angeles for 20 yrs. He will be able to speak directly about the experiences portrayed in the riveting film after his many years of healing.

At 1:30: “ERASING HATE” is the documentation of a former violent ’skin-heads’ transformation outwardly and inwardly.Byron Widner attempts to erase the hate and escape that former hate fueled lifestyle as he erases his menacing tattoos one after another. 

At 3:15: “THE MOVEMENT: One man joins an uprising”  The story of one man’s return to the mountain that changed his life forever.Joining the ranks of people that have overcome physical limitations. People whom have been told by professionals that they would/could never do something. This film focuses on the human spirit that fights back against that and refusing to hear the word “never.”

At 4:15″FROM THE GROUND UP”This entry is the story of NYFD widows and their children making sense of the senseless after the 9-11 attacks. The challenges, tear drops and laughter are documented as they bravely move forward without their fathers/husbands.

Two of these families have children with Autism. After it’s conclusion I will have a moment to speak to the issues in the film. I will also take a moment to tell the audience about the incredible positive movement we are a part of here on AutismHWY.com!

At 5:00 we will see “THE END OF THE WORLD” A silent movie  artfully depicting the story of  a solitary man in search of work and food in his torn down city after the economic fall.

At 5:15 “WHILE WE WATCH” is a gripping portrait of the Occupy Wall Street movement. This film provides witness of a new dawn of the power of people and social media!

6:30 will bring on “CONNECTED“ a funny, eye opening and inspiring film. Go on a rollercoaster ride of discovery as to how technology has changed our idea of what ‘being connected’ means in 2012!

At 7:55 “GOOD THINGS ARE ALWAYS HAPPENING” This is a quick uplifting film about love and fate and proposition 8! Hitting on the importance that lies within

8:00 marks the The final film for 2012 ”BRINGING KING TO CHINA” This is the story of a father and daughter passionate about their missions in life. The film creates a cross cultural dialogue about the current relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy of peace and non-violence.

What a thought provoking line-up a fantastic Saturday adventure! Afterwards at 10:00 pm many festival participants 21 & over will adjourn to the 4th St.VINE 200 feet from the theatre that will remain open until 12:00!

Dont forget to buy raffle tickets!! All day they grant prizes to lucky ticket holders! This year we will donate a Raffle package that will include: The making Friends with Autism Coloring Books, Debra Hosseini’s tHE ART of AUTISM book and Silke Heyer’s one of a kind Art Bags!!

SEE YOU THERE!

Have You Ever Seen a ‘Color-Blind Rainbow’?

I believe most families living on the Autism Spectrum have. It is a very splendid thing to experience. As families take their journey on the AutismHWY you often  find that comforting place. A place of acceptance, of love and celebration of diversity. This is what I am talking about. A pure belief in the human spirit not colored by others expectations and the ever-shifting standards of “human normalcy.” Barriers must be broken down to get to this place we will ALL hopefully travel to. To “see” and experience this incredible phenomenon.

How many years have people struggled with differences? Some will say going all of the way back to the beginning of time, perhaps when that ‘1st apple’ was eaten. It seems so ridiculous that we as “thinking” people cannot accept diversity. We freely admit we are all ”like snowflakes.” We seem to enjoy that fact, repeating it as a mantra  and passing it down  generation after generation. Why then do we fall short living up to that precious belief? Is it fear of the unknown?  Is it narcissistic ranking and status seeking? Our hearts and our minds tell us that  tolerance is the kind and gentle way to live. Yet, everyday examples of intolerance surface all over the world.

 Intolerance is something Aut-families walk through everyday like a minefield…sometimes it is NOT just intolerance. It is intolerance peppered with a great amount of ignorance. (A quite rancid seasoning to add!) Autism has a way of humbling a family. The family soon realizes that extra supports are needed and adjustments must occur. Soon you realize what we should all, already know. That being of service to others is a very rewarding and noble way to live your life. So often we see siblings and friends of the Autistic population growing up to be super people. Kind, loving and tolerant! There is no room for the “Me,Me,Me” mindset it just doesn’t fit into our big picture!  I often wonder is that the reason that we see so much more Autism…this colorblind rainbow?? Is Autism bringing the world together? Teaching the world tolerance on a whole other level…one family at a time?

I was lucky enough to have a chance to speak about this April 22,2012 on the Lisa Ann Walter Radioshow on Clear Channels KFI. Dana Commandatore from www.rethinkingautism.com  and I were happy to start clueing listeners in to our BIG PICTURE….our ‘color-blind rainbow!’ About 30 minutes into the show Dana and I had an hour block of time to chip away!! Click this link and listen in:

http://www.kfiam640.com/player/?station=KFI-AM&program_name=podcast&program_id=LisaAnnWalter.xml&mid=22020324

Learning to accept an alternate lifestyle can be hard for many people. Afterall we are spoon-fed what we should expect in life. The problem with that is the many hands and many interests holding those spoons. Many people have lost sight of so much in the fast paced world that we live in. It seems we will “eat” anything!

I would like to think that people will wake up when Autism joins their family and set their tables for diversity. The bounty you will find there may be unexpected and perhaps not what you ordered but, it will feed your soul like nothing else you have tried.

Am I crazy to believe that Autism is a way for the world to see the proverbial “forest through the trees”? A way for people to get a hands on experience to a type of diversity that will change their lives. Opening your eyes to the ways we are all different and how those differences teach us great truths about who we are as people and how we should be living. How we should be treating our families, our neighbors, our friends. Serving others to gain a better insight into humanity. This is the ‘Color-Blind Rainbow’ Autism has brought to my world that we should all be grateful we can see!! 

CHALK heART!!

Whew….I am soO happy and still processing all that occured during our 2nd Annual AutismHWY.com Chalk Festival!!  Wyatt and I feel especially blessed to have this fantastic spectrum of friends! The day was a true success in every sense of the word! Making friends with Autism was on all of our itineraries for FUN.

I do believe that happened for all in attendance including Mr. Kevin Stapleton the mayor of Covina!! 

 He was having a grand time meeting the many talented individuals the Chalk Art attracted. He heard the many stories from families and friends. He spoke eloquently when Exceptional Minds was given their 2011 ANCA Naturally Autistic Award, and he was down with the Artists as they colored perceptions experientially! Truly awesome. He took the time to talk with most every person there. It was a pleasure to see the expressions of joy, validation and self worth this triggered. I am wishing for April 2013 already!! Funny just how contagious this chalk-joy is!!  Have a look for yourselves…….  I want to thank everyone that made it to the event!! A very special thankyou to multi talented artist/actor/singer songwriter Michael Harding for taking the time out to sing his awesome  Autism anthem” Change a Life”…you Rock Mike!!

PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US IN 2013!!!

FREE~TOOLS for TRANSFORMATION Conference!!

This friday the 13th is full of something other than superstitions!! It is about empowerment for families on the spectrum!  Special Needs Network Inc. plans an attack! Information that will be useful as families navigate through the complications that arise within the Autism Community. Our children are special and demand special services and supporters!

Plan to attend The Tools for Transformation Conference Advocates Summit and Reception on April 13th 2011 at the Radisson Midtown @ USC 3540 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, California!

NEW 2012 TFT REGISTRATION

Please CLICK on the registration form and connect with this Special Needs Network of professionals and advocates that care. Care about the quality of life for a population that is emerging and changing…not to mention GROWING…as the CDC  just put out the 1 in 88 stats this week!

Tools for Transformation Conference is a free conference, and serves families all over Los Angeles County. There will be 12 workshops lead by incredible experts in the field. Also featuring an amazing Advocate Chantal Sicile-Kira as a lunch program speaker! In addition they will be giving away a few iPads!!

We highly recommend you check this out! VERY Awesome!!