AutismWonderland on News 12 The Bronx

April is Autism Awareness Month and The Bronx is once again doing it's thing to raise awareness. Searching for a story to highlight, the wonderful folks at News 12 discovered my blog and asked if I was interested in being interviewed! Yesterday afternoon, reporter Amy Yensi  paid us a visit.

The show aired Wednesday, April 3 at 9:30 pm during the Health segment of the News. The Boy got such a kick out of seeing us on TV. 

Happy News 12 featured me on their news site - click HERE for the link BUT they did not include the video portion. 

So here's the bootleg version ;) 

Thank You Margot Condon: One of the NICU Nurses Who Saved The Lives of 20 Infants During #HurricaneSandy #InspireCare

While at the LATISM 2012 conference I had the privilege of being sponsored by  Johnson & Johnson.

While in the J&J suite bloggers had the opportunity to learn about  the inspiring J&J initiatives. What I liked most about the J&J suite was that they encouraged bloggers to really think about the people in their everyday lives.

#JnJ Suite ~ LATISM12

Johnson & Johnson is a company who is committed to:

• Saving and Improving Lives 
• Healthy Babies Are Worth The Wait: "The Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C. partners with the March of Dimes and the Kentucky Department for Public Health on Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait^SM, a three-year prematurity prevention initiative to demonstrate a reduction in preventable preterm births in targeted geographies in Kentucky."

• Building Health Care Capacity
• A Legacy of Supporting Nurses: Johnson & Johnson's "support programs promoting the nursing profession and provide leadership and development opportunities to further the field. In Africa, we teach student nurses basic skills in surgery, trauma and midwifery. In the U.S., we manage a campaign to educate the public about careers in nursing. Nurses from around the world learn about essential business management techniques through programs we support."
• Preventing Diseases
• Healthy Land, Healthy People: Johnson & Johnson's "“Healthy Communities, Healthy Ecosystems” partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) links healthy environment and the health of local people. “Supporting the health of local communities enables these communities to sustainably manage the natural resources base on which they depend,” said Katarina Trojnar, corporate relations officer at WWF."
  

(For more J&J inspiring initiatives click HERE)

For me the most thought provoking activities in the J&J suite were: What Inspires You? and Write a letter to a Health Care Provider That Made a Difference in Your Life.

I really didn't need to think too hard about who/what inspires me.

And as far as health care providers that made a difference in our life - that came easily too. Immediately I thought about The Boy's Early Intervention years and the two women who worked with The Boy.    

But days later, I found myself inspired by a woman I never met, whose name I didn't know - a health care provider who didn't make a difference in my life.

It was early Tuesday morning, a few hours after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, and I was watching CNN. Since I was stranded in Texas due to the storm, I was up most of the night, glued to the news. And that's when the image of a woman came on the screen. She was being wheeled out of NYU Hospital, an bundled infant cradled in her arms.

The hospital had lost its power, in the middle of a hurricane and the patients had to be evacuated. The woman holding the baby was a nurse in the NICU and the baby - only 8 hours old - needed air pumped into his tiny lungs. Margot Condon not only walked down dark flights of stairs with a newborn in her arms, but she manually pumped air into his lungs so that he stay alive.  

There are people in this world, who wake up every morning and simply go to  work. They perform a job. And then there are people who wake up every morning and make a difference. It's more than just a job. They care. They provide a service. They save lives.

Margot Condon is a woman who makes a difference. THANK YOU! You are an inspiration.

While she didn't make a direct impact in my life, Margot Condon, changed my mindset regarding all health care providers. And I will never take them for granted again. Because I will never know when/if they may be solely responsible for a life that I love.

Help Glenda & Damian Moore Raise Money For Funeral Costs: Two Staten Island Parents Lose Their Children During #HurricaneSandy

Regardless of where you live in the United States, you've seen the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

And you've probably heard about Glenda Moore, the Staten Island mother who lost both of her sons during Hurricane Sandy.

I heard about Glenda's story and I'll be honest - I could not read about her loss. I did not want to imagine a mother losing her two boys: Brandon and Connor Moore. The thought is too painful.

Last week, I was stranded in Texas because of the Hurricane. I could not get home. I could not hold The Boy's hand. And I was a wreck.

But in the grand scheme of things, I was merely inconvenienced. I was safe. The Boy was safe. My home was safe. And within days, I was able to hold The Boy's hand again.

Glenda Moore, cannot say the same. And my mother heart aches for her. Because no mother should ever out live their child. And I cannot imagine the pain, the grief, the inconsolable loss she is feeling. 

Before Hurricane Sandy, New Yorkers lived in this bubble. The "it can't happen here bubble." Which is surprising considering, September 11.  But still, we live in this bubble.

I lived in this bubble.

Then last night, my friend Renzo, posted on my wall. He said that he and his wife Susanna, know the Moore Family and they were raising money for the funeral costs. And in that one sentence, my bubble was burst.

In a city of 5 boroughs and over 8.3 million people, I had one degree of separation to Glenda Moore. And it made me realize just how vulnerable we all are. New York City is one of the largest and well known in the world and yet it is so small. We are all connected in some way.

I know there are a lot of charities and links and fundraisers for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated.  But if you can spare a few extra dollars, there's a mother in Staten Island who can really use the financial support. Her son's were only 4 and 2 years old. A mother of children so young, could never have prepared for their funeral costs. And she needs your help. Every dollar makes a difference. 

If you'd like to donate - please click HERE - and if you can't donate. Please share the fundraising page link with your social networks: http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=12916&url=brandonandconnormoore#.UJUpXZrEvIk.facebook

"[The] page was created to help Glenda and her family raise enough money to purchase two plots for her babies and to give them the respect and funeral they deserve. Please post to your facebook pages and get the word out. Every last penny will go to her in this time of need." 

NOTE: It has been brought to Susanna's attention that there are other sites being created to raise money however, Susanna is the only person authorized by the family to collect for them. Susanna grew up with Glenda Moore and is a friend of the family. Susanna is in the process of getting those sites taken down immediately. If you would like to make a donation to the Moore Family please use this link - http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=12916&url=brandonandconnormoore#.UJUpXZrEvIk.facebook

Thanks Joe Scarborough, You Just Set Back The Autism Community About 60 Years

Last Friday morning I woke up and learned about the movie theatre massacre in Aurora.  

Twelve people were killed - including 6 year old, Veronica Moser-Sullivan.  More than 50 people were injured. Among the injured, a pregnant woman.

I've spent the last few days glued to the news, unable to stop watching the coverage.  And the stories are horrific and heartbreaking.

And yesterday, I read this article by Tommy Christopher.  As a parent of a young son with autism, it was devastating to read (and hear) Joe Scarborough's words: 

You have these people that are somewhere, I believe, probably on the autism scale, I don’t know if that’s the case here, but it happens more often than not, people that can walk around in society, that can function on college campuses, can even excel in college campuses, but are socially disconnected. I have a son who has Asperger’s who is loved by everyone in his family and who is wonderful, but it is for those that may not have a loving family and a support group and may be a bit further along on the autism spectrum, an extraordinarily frustrating, terrible challenge day in and day out. and so, I do think, again, I don’t know the specifics about this young man, but we see too many shooters in these type of tragedies bearing the same characteristics mentally.  (Joe Scarborough)

I wonder if he realizes how damaging his words are to the autism community?


He should know the stigma so many children and parents face.

Autism is word so many parents fear.  And Scarborough's statement?  It perpetuates that fear.  His statement is reminiscent of the 1950s when autism was labeled as 'childhood schizophrenia' and the 'Refrigerator Mother' theory.


The year is 2012 and with all of the information out there on autism, there are people who still have no idea what autism is or what it "looks" like.  Ignorant people who will take Joe Scarborough's statement and run with it.

That being said, there is a small part of me that understands where his statement comes from.  And we can all have our speculations.  However, I am not a doctor and neither is Joe Scarborough.  

So for Scarborough to make an "amateur diagnosis" based off of sound bites from people who knew James Holmes, is not only reckless but just as ignorant as 50 Cent's tweet.    

All we know at this point is that we can't understand it; we have no idea whether he had a history of psychiatric illness or had been exhibiting warning signs of a psychotic breakdown. And the amateur diagnoses we've been hearing are painfully misinformed... (Caroline Miller, Child Mind Institute)

Now is not the time to play guess the diagnosis.  This is the time to have a discussion that's long overdue.  The Aurora massacre is the kind of senseless tragedy that gives a nation pause.  It will dominate the the news for weeks. 

But will any real change come of this? 
 

While it was reported that the weapons were purchased legally, I have trouble understanding how a single individual - a civilian - is able to purchase more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition without raising an eyebrow?  How can a civilian be allowed to purchase tear gas?  Somehow, I don't believe this is what the forefathers meant by the right to bear arms.  

As one of my FB friends stated, "It's easier for a person to get a gun in this country, than mental health services."

That's exactly the point I wish Joe Scarborough would have focused on. 


UPDATE:   Since I posted, Joe Scarborough released a statement clarifying his remarks regarding Holmes being on the "autism scale."  

...I suggested that the Aurora tragedy should make Americans focus more on mental health in this country. I also stated that my own experiences raising a son with Aspergers made me keenly aware of how important strong support systems are to those who might otherwise be isolated.

The growing Autism epidemic is a tremendous burden for children, parents and loved ones to endure. My call for increased funding and awareness for Autism and other mental health conditions was meant to support the efforts of those who work every day to improve the lives of Americans impacted. Those suggesting that I was linking all violent behavior to Autism missed my larger point and overlooked the fact that I have a wonderful, loving son with Aspergers. Perhaps I could have made my point more eloquently. (Joe Scarborough)

Hmmmm not really the kind of statement I think the autism community was looking for.   But just don't take my word for it, check out what this guy has to say.