The power of Music

My daughter is 6 years old, has Asperger's syndrome, an Autism spectrum disorder. Outside of the medical foundation of her diagnosis, for her this behaviorally manifests in her: extreme anxiety, agoraphobia, rigidity of rules, need for sameness, extreme sensitivities to stimuli (sound, light, etc), difficulty with spontaneous interactions outside our home (& sometimes within), a brilliant mind with severe social deficits, including her self-knowledge of her being *different* & struggles with balanced self esteem because of.

When she regressed, she hated being sung to-- it was such a weird thing because it's a normal comforting action to soothe your distressed child with song, as a parent. She would scream, cry & tantrum. Years later, she herself would sing, but no one could sing to her. It was then our Developmental-Music Therapist told me that she had a remarkable ability for pitch (2 years old). I knew this was because she has such hypersensitivity to sound, she hears things I cannot, including accurate pitch.

Anyhow, it's 4 years later & Roo just began to work with one of our Earth angels, the same dedicated Music therapist-DT that has been with us for the past 4+ years. It has taken 6 weeks of time with the therapist to do what I'm going share with you. Yesterday, Roo told her MT that she wanted to lead the song, made up the endings to the verses & made eye contact with her the entire time. She was confident, engaged & her true personality shined through. I love this little girl & am grateful for the blessing of the gifts and healing energy of one very talented Music-Developmental therapist. We love you Stacey! Thank you for keeping on knocking on my door-- you are a powerfully positive anchor in this journey.

The following is proof that Music therapy offers healing, growth to everyone-- even the Mommy & Daddy of the client. Now if I could just stop the happy tears... =>

click here ----> Roo singing "Down by the Bay"

Autism - Not a genetic disease

Autism isn't a genetic disease, as Autism Speaks (R) touts. It is caused by the systematic environmental attack of the immune, central nervous, and neurological systems from the first day of life, and even while in utero. There are genetic vulnerabilities, if you can consider what we pass along cellularly outside of DNA: the toxic waste of mercury, other heavy metals, infection, viruses, and all the chemicals we as parents cumulatively carry... which then are passed to our baby.

As an expectant carrying mother, we detox to our unborn children in utero. This is the first environmental hit. Add to that mass vaccinations (containing poisons like mercury, formeldahyde & aluminum; not to mention biological matter sourced from aborted fetuses, pig, monkey, etc and so much more!) on an immature immune system, the convenient pharmaceuticals prescribed to clean up the immunization's after affects (ear infections, respiratory ailments, unexplained skin erruptions, etc etc), the processed garbage in our national food system (genetically modified food, harmful preservatives, petroleum based food dyes, synthetic carcenogenic sweeteners, plus toxic elements everywhere (from the fillings in our teeth, fluoridated public water, household cleaners, chemicals doused on our lawn living spaces, e-smog, etc). The assaults on our human existence are infinite.

If Autism were genetic, there would be genetic lineage traced in families, spanning generations. Instead, we are now living in the Biohazard Corruption of all times, with greed as the ultimate evil. Our healthcare system/providers are funded and trained to prescribe and vaccinate (by the Pharma corps which fund the medical training programs). Even our own Federal Vaccine Injury Court has granted immunity to the Pharma companies producing vaccines, so they will not be held accountable for the injury caused. How can any of this be ethical, legal, or simply allowed?

INDUSTRIAL CORRUPTION, GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF SAID CORRUPTION, SCIENTIFIC CONFLICT OF INTEREST & DENIAL, plus MONETARY GREED

causes the condition called Autism.

These are my children. They were not born with Autism. They regressed into a *state* of Autism (you know, the behaviors one exhibits to be diagnosed with an ASD). I had no idea of the medical foundation of complications within Autism upon our 1st diagnosis, yet have learned in a turbo tidal wave these past five & a half years, in order to reclaim my children.


Bella was born with Trisomy 21, a heart defect & an engaging personality larger than life.
  
She was not born with Autism. She is now 1 in 88*.  

 *the # the CDC now reports as the incidence of Autism (which doesn't account for kids under the age of 12. My children are all under 9 years old).

  
Sbear & Roo are twins whom were born premature, yet healthy weights with no assistance needed after birth & no health issues. They developed beautifully, were vibrantly interactive, affectionate & full of spunkiness.
  
They weren't born with Autism. They're now 2 in 88.



SJ was a healthy full term baby. She was as sweet as the day is long, and a virtual superstar in development.

 
She was not born with Autism. She is now 1 in 88.





HOW ELSE DO I KNOW AUTIM IS NOT GENETIC?
They (our kids) are healing, improving, recovering as we work diligently to address the cumulative medical complications of their health injuries. If it were genetic, they would be static, because haven't you heard??... There is no cure for what is called "Autism".

----------------------------------> from a remarkable group educating and advocating for the rights of humankind, including our most precious resource - our children. Please read below.

"‎1 in 88 does not even count children under 12. Hundreds of thousand of kids. Yours and ours. PLEASE. Educate! stand up...and FIGHT FOR THEM! Respectfully, LJ Goes (the rev)" from TACA-IL on facebook.com

read/watch here -----> OUR CHILDREN

Now imagine one of these innocent faces 
were one of YOURs.

Your son, daughter, grandchild, etc.

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.

Meet one of our Earth Angels -- Ms. Stacey Rhodes

Let me start with I cannot say enough about this amazing lady whom has become a true friend. We met Stacey nearly 4 years ago when she first began working with S-Bear through early intervention. I was impressed with her positivity, passion & talent upon meeting her. What makes her a standout are all those things, plus she truly wants to COLLABORATE! I never take that for granted in working with the myriad of professionals surrounding my nest of 4 extraordinary blessings. Before meeting Stacey, I had never known a therapist to want to have a team meeting, share a binder of written team notes, etc, etc. I always felt the weight of being the integrator as the family matriarch & scheduler of all therapy work amongst the 4 kids.

Stacey has seen us through some of the roughest times of our journey. When she started, Bella & S-Bear alone had been enveloped into Autism. Within the following 2 years we hit rock bottom, witnessing our 15 mo old baby drift away & only months later, Roo then 3.5 years old regressed sharply & became very ill. Stacey was one constant whom kept me grounded. She truly has an unmatched compassion for others and is driven to HELP them. Her love of music & enrichment for others comes through her work so apparent. Though our youngest has really cycled through MAAAANY regressions, Stacey never gave up on her. Even when my mind was fragmented & not so sharp-- she never gave up on me. She even came back to us after having her own little one & did so much more than could ever be expected of a professional-- all out gift of her beautiful heart.

Today Stacey is still a key contributor to SJ through her SonRise home program, and soon she will be expanding to S-Bear this summer. We'd never be where we are today without this remarkable & ambitious professional. She brought SonRise back into my sights, after ABA failed for SJ. My kids are blooming in front of my eyes & you've had a tender hand in it; I'm forever grateful, Stacey. 

It is with pleasure that I share this very talented professional's Summer Programming information.