Cruise Bruise Blog
April 6, 2009
April 6, 2009
Taking A Few Moments To Get Straight - It's All Good

I got slapped in the face this past week, and it hurt. Not physically slapped, but it hurt more than if I had felt the pain of an errant hand. Funding was canceled for the only "playgroup" for Autistic children ages two to three years, within our local community.

While the ending date for the two hour, one day a week playgroup is in four weeks, coinciding with the end of the school year, it left my face burning from the hurt and anger within, that other toddlers, like the grandson I am raising, were not going to have the advantage of getting enough therapy throughout the week to overcome a condition that has left my grandson and many others unable to speak.

If that was the only blow, I think it would not have struck me so intensely. The one hour therapy sessions he goes to were reduced to forty-five minutes, with a warning that it will be going to only half an hour in the coming weeks. We get less, and pay more.

While our baby boy will be going on to the special education preschool program in the fall for ages three to five, other Autistic toddlers are going to be a year behind in their therapy, a crying shame.

So, when I picked him up from the playgroup this past Friday, I did some really deep soul searching. Every year I donate money and goods to benefit locals, especially around the holidays.

These same locals are responsible for the 1800s politics of the area in the 21st century. Though born and bred locals may be down on their luck, perhaps perpetually, they do vote in the politicans who ensure programs for the people do not get off the ground, and those already in place get cut back more each year.

Their children are victims of local narrow-mindedness, that has roots back in time beyond the civil war. It is a disease, that victims do not want to cure.

It is the reason the local programs are in shambles here, too many far right conservatives have locked down the budgets, especially when it comes to education,  to ensure the poor stay dumb so the rich can stay rich.

Since for the most part the poor here are far right conservatives, who am I to interfere with a lifestyle that has worked this way for hundreds of years?

I now believe my efforts are misplaced and it is time to get my head straight, get a fresh look at philanthropy and give to those who really need the help the most and can get the most benefit from it.

That sector, those born with Autism, or who acquired Autism shortly after birth are victims of something far beyond the control of their parents and grandparents.

Right now, with funding cut back across this nation, I've decide it is time to share with the Autistic children in this country.

On a daily basis I watch this little boy struggle to be understood, though he doesn't speak a word. Our patience is stretched to the limit each day as we try to help him work through the longest list of obsessive compulsive behavior and stims known to man.

I can understand how hard it must be for a family, to sacrifice one income, so that one parent can stay home to look after the Autistic child, who really can't go to a regular pre-school program because they need one on one supervision.

It must be even harder for a one-parent-home. We are so fortunate to have two adults at home full-time, allowing us to keep our lives in order and to prosper while looking after baby boy, who though Autistic, is very bright and happy.

I spent the weekend and today working to set up a charity that will benefit that particular group of Americans, those who have an autistic child in the home. While we may not be able to do all we wish we could for as many as we would like to help, it is my hope that in the first year we can reach 100 families.

Of course, I hope we can exceed that, and that the amount will grow each year. I know it is not much, but to do nothing is not an option. If we can help these children before they enter kindergarten, it is possible those who are non-verbal, like baby boy, can be talking.

For those wondering, I will not be soliciting any donations from my visitors. We are funding our decision 100%. I just wanted you to know, there is one more project pulling at the 1440 minutes in my day. Sometimes I will have to take time to make sure families with autistic children are getting a hand.

This is a month of celebration for my family as well. This month, after 22 years of living with a Canadian, I will no longer be living with that Canadian. He is becoming an American this month. A process that has been many months in the making, is finally coming to an end, one more milestone put behind us.

While the only thing that has changed is the paper saying he is also an American, that one piece of paper means he will be able to vote here. That, has never been more important to both him, I and baby boy.

There are a few new stories to get up, I will have them up Tuesday night.