PSA/Press Release Team Schoonveld - Els for Autism Golf Challenge

EVENT  TEAM SCHOONVELD & SCHOONVELD for Els for Autism Golf Challenge

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INSPIRATION 

An ordinary (local Chicago-land) family navigates an extraordinary journey of Autism, times four (four children born in four years -- now ages 3/5/5/7). We were pregnant with our 4th child when our only son regressed & was diagnosed with Autism. Over the next 2 years our other 3 children, also each regressed, & are diagnosed at different areas of the Autism spectrum. It was & sometimes still remains unclear why God chose this path for our family. Though our journey into parenthood has not been as we imagined, we are better people for the ways our children continue to teach us wisdom beyond their years. We look to God & the hope of tomorrow for answers to unlock the many doors into the world of Autism. Foundations with vision like the Els Center for Excellence are opening some of those doors. To all those supporting this charity, E. & I give our most sincere thank you on behalf of the entire Autism community.

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EVENT         TEAM SCHOONVELD (Ernie) Els for Autism Golf Challenge FUNDRAISER

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GOAL           By 8/29/11: To raise over $10,000 (through monetary sponsorships) for the Els for Autism Center for Excellence mission! 

                  Click here to donate --> SPONSOR TEAM NOW

                  

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EVENT LOCATION/TIME

Cog Hill Golf Club - #4 Dubsdread

Lemont, IL 60439

Monday, August 29, 2011 · 8:00am

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Follow OUR EVENT

http://www.e4agolf.com/e4a_bio.cfm?sid=114325

Our Family Blog

http://detourautism.blogspot.com/2011/06/were-sponsoring-team-schoonveld-for-els.html

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EMAIL           detour.autism@live.com

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MORE INFORMATION

Our 1st Ever Autism Fundraiser -- Team Schoonveld @ Els for Autism Golf Challenge

In honor of our children: Bella, Roo, S-bear & SJo-- We will be sponsoring “Team Schoonveld” for The Els for Autism Golf Challenge on Monday, August 29, 2011, in Lemont, IL at Cog Hill.

If you would like to sponsor our team and help contribute to Team Schoonveld’s initiative to support Ernie Els for Autism Foundation's mission.   Click “SPONSOR TEAM NOW” at the top of the Page above “Fund Raising Target” to make a tax deductible donation to a 501C-3 charitable organization! Our goal is currently $10,000—yet we want to blow this goal away! Each & every dollar counts; any amount contributed is deeply appreciated by all parents (loving someone with Autism) and individuals with Autism. Or, simply help us spread the word about this event by sharing our blog or Els for Autism golf challenge home page. See our Team progress here.

Els for Autism is one of the Initiatives for championing Autism Awareness, Acceptance & Advocacy for positive change which our family believes in.  http://www.e4agolf.com/elsvideo1.html

Thank you to our initial team sponsor, J.A. Watts, Inc., Julie and (Uncle) Mark , and all of our family and friends whom support us on this mission daily and year after year. Thank you for loving & celebrating our beautiful children just as they are!

The Illinois State Budget & Affects on our Developmentally Disabled Citizens

Many people are shocked to know, myself included, that the current state of our Illinois budget will greatly impact services for our most vulnerable citizens, the Developmentally Disabled. The link below will explain more in detail. This is a MUST TAKE ACTION NOW-- item to have ANY CHANCE @ turning the tables before the end of our fiscal year-- June 30th.  

The State of the Illinois Budget?

If you haven't done so already-- please call/fax/email/mail (all) Governor Pat Quinn's office to make our voices heard to protect our challenged loved ones & their support systems. 

Governor's contact information: 

Phone 217.782.0244 or 217.782.6830

Fax 217.524.4049

email governor@illinois.gov. 

Office of the Governor

James R. Thompson Center

100 W. Randolph, 16-100

Chicago, IL 60601 

HERE'S MY CORRESPONDENCE.........................................................................

June 6, 2011

Dear Governor Quinn,

I am absolutely sickened by the thought process behind the eminent decision to eliminate all Illinois DHS Respite programs, downsizing home based programs (that allow families to keep their children out of institutions) & other vital DHS programs.

I am mother to 4 young children in 4 years, all autistic-- having regressed after the pregnancy with our 4th child. Our eldest child has Down syndrome as well. All 4 children have profound medical & support needs. We have no nearby family to help us. We did not choose this life for our children. God chose for us to be parents to these amazing 4 gems; we cannot raise them alone without these vital services. All of children have intensive care needs between medical, supervision & self care. Our eldest daughter recently has been completely immobile in a body cast & still requires 100% assistance for care.

It's taken us 2 years to finally get any assistance in state respite, even with such immense needs & now we may be back to ground zero.

My husband & I are responsible taxpaying citizens whom want to raise our children in our home, with our values, not give them over to state institutions. We need help desperately to provide for all their daily needs, through the very programs that are to be eliminated.

I do not understand why our state leadership would target our most vulnerable population (those with special needs) -- by cutting the lifeline of services  to support them, in order to rectify our state budget. If this decision goes through, more families will end up losing their children & the state will be responsible for much more costly upkeep of its disabled citizens in state institutions. Our disabled children have great promise of being PRODUCTIVE & CONTRIBUTING citizens, when raised in their loving family homes, with the early intervention & intense support we parents must provide.

 It would be incredibly IRRESPONSIBLE decision (financially & ethically) for Illinois leadership to make a decision NOW that would only grow our State’s financial problems infinitely in the future, as the needs & care requirements would absolutely grow for this population having these services removed.

The idea of these program cuts are both heartbreaking & in my opinion, a shameful reflection of the values present in our Illinois leadership. God help us all if this decision somehow makes it through now; as I understand, this bill has cleared both the house & senate now & resides on YOUR DESK, Governor Quinn.

I IMPLORE YOU, to get some perspective on this MATTER. Read our family’s blog entries (search medical, help, respite, etc) & you will begin to gain some hefty perspective of *what it requires* to parent a child with these extraordinary needs. www.detourautism.blogspot.com You will also understand quickly how the divorce rate amongst our population is above between 80-90%, which further bogs down our judicial systems, etc, etc. The financial repercussions for our state, ripple out much further than the direct point of care for our challenged & disabled citizens.

HELP US KEEP OUR FAMILIES TOGETHER!

If you personally, ever come to be in my shoes, as a parent/ family member to/or disabled yourself (special needs aren’t occurring just at birth—people become disabled EVERYDAY)— 

what would you feel, knowing our very closest country’s leadership simply turned their back on those people truly most vulnerable & defenseless?

Sincerely,

Momma T

Mom to:  Bella 7 (DS & Autism), Roo 5(Autism), S-bear 5(Autism) & SJ 3(Autism)  

Our 1st Ever Autism Fundraiser -- Team Schoonveld @ Els for Autism Golf Challenge

In honor of Bella, Roo, Sbear & SJ-- We will be sponsoring “Team Schoonveld” for The Els for Autism Golf Challenge on Monday, August 29, 2011, in Lemont, IL.

If you would like to sponsor our team and help contribute to the The Els for Autism Foundation's mission.   Click “SPONSOR TEAM NOW” at the top of the Page above “Fund Raising Target” to make a tax deductible donation to a 501C-3 charitable organization! Every dollar counts and any amount contributed is greatly appreciated by all parents (loving someone with Autism) and individuals with Autism. Or simply spread the word about this event by sharing our blog or Els for Autism golf challenge home page.

Els for Autism is one of the Initiatives for championing Autism awareness, acceptance & advocacy for positive change which our family believes in. See our Team progress here.

http://www.e4agolf.com/elsvideo1.html
 
Thank you to our sponsor, J.A. Watts, Inc., Julie Watts and Uncle Mark Schoonveld, and all of our family and friends whom support us on this mission daily and year after year.