From Love to Hate and Vice Versa

BlogHopButton[1]Once upon a time I loved to eat pasta. I ate it all the time. It was a cheap food for a young woman who was in college and paying for it herself. Also, during the late eighties pasta was touted as being fat free and healthy. I’d eat mine tossed in Italian dressing and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. I was little back then, but I never did achieve six pack abs, despite thousands of sit-ups and daily work outs. Hmm, I wonder why? I kind of hate pasta now – I rarely eat it.  And when I do, I feel terribly bloated. Continue reading From Love to Hate and Vice Versa

Autism Angel: Guest Post by Meredith Sherr Altschuler

I met Meredith through the magical world of the internet. We have a mutual friend, Melissa Amster, who connected us after one of my first Autism Posts for this blog. She has been a big supporter ever since. Meredith has a sweet daughter who’s the same age as Bear, so we’ve often shared war stories. When she saw my Call for Autism Angels, she took the opportunity to write me about the angels in her life. Her letter is beautiful –  and filled with love and gratitude. I love reading about the extraordinary people who make the world of special needs a better place.

Dear Allison,

When you called for submissions of “Autism Angels,” I’ll admit that this year I felt unusually unprepared. While we are by no means at the end of our autism journey, we are far from the beginning. In the beginning, we needed and received the kindness of SO many angels that I could have rambled on endlessly about them. Images of these folks helping us still flash through my mind. I have to catch my breath when I think back and really absorb the kindness we have received — when I think about all the unsung heroes who go about quietly “doing good” in this world.  Continue reading Autism Angel: Guest Post by Meredith Sherr Altschuler

More Barrett Tales

B2015041495173413 (3)I have some new Barrett stories to tell, but I must confess – they’re not the kind of stories that make a momma proud, because for the last week he’s be a royal pain in the you-know where. Honestly, his actions have baffled me and made me wonder just what goes on inside his head. He’s had an interesting week, that’s for sure. Mischievous and naughty. Continue reading More Barrett Tales

What Were You Doing When You Were in Middle School?

Autism Angels: The Peer Buddies

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A few weeks ago, I shared a post about my son Barrett’s first track meet.  In that post, I explained that Barrett wouldn’t be able to be on the team, if it weren’t for the village of people who support him.  One of those villagers is a young man named Tommy Rhodes.  Tommy’s been going to practice with Bear and running with him in the meets, even though he’s not on the track team.  Tommy is an autism peer at Barrett’s Middle School.  He’s one of many.  Forty students volunteer in the Awesome Class, the school’s adopted name for Barrett’s class. Continue reading What Were You Doing When You Were in Middle School?