Today I wanted to give a big hug to all the Moms out there who are making a difference every day for their kids. With all doctor visits, IEP meetings, therapy sessions and keeping it together at home, you are to be celebrated.

In honor of Mother’s Day, we would like to share two events with you.

First, we are honored that I Am In Here has received a Gold Award from the Mom’s Choice Awards. In a post to our Facebook page, the Director of Mom’s Choice said that this was the first book they have read that gives an insider’s view of what it is like to live with autism. Thank you, Elizabeth!

Second, we have been blessed to have Elizabeth’s story and poetry featured on CBN and ABC Family. You can see Elizabeth typing out answers to questions like “What inspires you?” with her wonderful aide, Terri. I have tried to give a Mom’s view of our journey and I hope it inspires parents to keep fighting the battle another day.

Blessings, Ginnie

On April 11^th, we are honored to be presenting at the TEDMED conference at the Kennedy Center.  More than 70 scientists, clinicians and other celebrated professionals will be talking about advances in medical science.  Other speakers include NIH Director Francis Collins, Katie Couric and Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern.  Our talk is titled, “When You Finally Find Your Voice, What Do You Most Want to Say?”  Elizabeth’s voice will be heard through her poetry, which is interwoven throughout the talk.  We will let you know when it is posted on the TEDMED website.

Later that week, Elizabeth and I will be flying to Monterrey, California for the EG conference.  We have a whole different talk planned for this arts and innovation conference focused on “Connection.”  We are honored to be presenting with Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, NPR’s Scott Simon, and Adam Savage from the popular television show “Mythbusters.”  Again, we will let you know when the video is posted on the EG website.

Finally, we are thrilled to tell you that I Am In Here has been honored with a Mom’s Choice Award.  The Mom’s Choice Director said it best:  “We review literally hundreds of products and services a year that are designed for families and educators working with kids on the spectrum.  Your book is the first of its kind that gives us personal insight on what it’s like on the inside.”  Elizabeth’s poetry gives us this insight.

Blessings,

Virginia and Elizabeth

Virginia’s response: Elizabeth has an inspiring message of hope for all of us. She has overcome so much and found a voice to speak for those who cannot yet speak for themselves. Our children are in there! We must never stop trying to reach them, educate them and heal them. We hope this book gives parents and children encouragement to fight the battle another day.

We all fight battles in our daily lives. Whatever your battle, we hope you draw strength from our stories of How People who show courage in the face of great challenges. Together, we are mounting a quiet revolution of hope and taking steps to move our lives forward.

Elizabeth’s response: I want people to find peace in my book. I want them to read my prayers with understanding. Be at peace. God loves you.

Virginia’s response: Yes! Elizabeth has been taught to communicate using Soma Mukhopadhyay’s Rapid Prompting Method. There is a link to her website in the Internet Resources section of this website. I Am in Here talks a lot about Soma and her hero status for so many non-verbal children and adults.

Question for Elizabeth: We have redirected our daughter to the point of no hand flapping, but I wonder if we have taken away a coping tool and given her nothing in return. She will even catch herself and say, “No hand flapping”. We want her to have ways to satify her need to move and don’t want to make a robot out of her by making her conform to “normal, acceptable” behaviors. At the same time, we want to help her function in society and in her own environment effectively and safely. When you are flapping, spinning, or rocking does it help for someone to touch you or talk to you to get your body to stop moving? Is it frustrating to you when others try to redirect your behaviors?

Elizabeth’s answer: “No, I control myself” to first question and “Yes, I have to flap all the time” to second question. She also typed: “I need an outlet. Stims are not wrong. Stims are helpful for stress.”

Virginia’s answer: I respect Elizabeth’s need to stim to help her with stress. We have also tried to temper disruptive stims (like jumping up and down) so she is not a distraction to her classmates. It is a delicate balance.

Life is good and also crazy busy right now. The best news is Elizabeth is doing SOOOOOOO well. She is happy again and even writing some poetry! She loves her new school, Montgomery Academy. and is doing all her school work on her iPad. She went through two years of Hell but she is back with us and we are so grateful to the doctors and therapists who helped us through that difficult time.

Now to the “crazy” part. Elizabeth and I have been asked to speak at two incredible conferences in April: TEDMED at the Kennedy Center (www.TEDMED.com) and EG in Monterrey, California (www.the-EG.com). We are thrilled! This weekend we are filming Elizabeth with Soma and at home so she can participate in these presentations with her own voice. So please forgive me if I’m not blogging too much. I’m crazy with writing these presentation talks, trying to get Elizabeth’s message of “I Am in Here” singing throughout.

Please stay in touch. We have gotten so many wonderful emails and posts. Know we have read them all and will respond ASAP.

Hugs, Ginnie

There is a God.

I am loved.

The sun will shine.

I will survive autism. ]]> http://www.iaminherebook.com/1094/feed/ 0 http://www.iaminherebook.com/1091/ http://www.iaminherebook.com/1091/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:27:30 +0000 admin https://www.reserver1.com/iaminher_wp/?p=1091 Continue Reading… Wanderer I am a dreamer. That is me. The south of France I want to see. To travel to a distant shore. There is something more I want to visit a place where I can Help people in need Maybe]]>