Singer with Autism holds Fundraiser

Colin Brennan is a 10 year old singer from Canada who happens to be on the autism spectrum.  Right now, Colin is striving to raise $2,300 in order to accept an invitation to travel to England and sing in the 2nd annual "Autism's Got Talent."  This is a truly extraordinary opportunity for a boy who did not start talking until age seven.  I encourage my readers to help Colin if it is within your means.  So far, Colin has received 20 donations that amount to $645.  

It should also be noted that Colin was recently accepted to audition for a part the musical stage play, "Les Miserables."  The show will take place in Toronto, Ontario.  Colin will audition for the role of the child "Gavroche."  This is a boy with a bundle of talent and a bright future.

Colin and his father Gordon have their own Blog Talk Radio podcast and were kind enough to feature me as a guest on their show just after the new year.

Colin and his father Gordon do not often ask for help but they do need assistance in order to pay for the flights to and from England.  I have spoken with Colin personally on numerous occasions and he truly is a credit to the autism community.  If it is within your means, please help out Colin.

To donate and find out more, click on the following link:

http://www.gofundme.com/22brtc?pc=fb_cr

My First News Appearance on Autism Awareness

Yesterday, I participated in the 1^st annual Autism Summit at Oakland University.  As I often say, under the right conditions, someone on the autism spectrum can literally change the world.  The purpose of this Summit was to try to create those conditions by gathering decision makers from all over Michigan. Throughout the day, they discussed the legislation passed last year that mandated insurance coverage for services needed by those on the autism spectrum.  Also discussed were what the next steps should be in order to provide the highest quality of life for those on the spectrum.  Many different motions were discussed during this Summit, which I will write on further in OUCARES-Did you know...

It was also a personal milestone for me as an autism advocate.  I was interviewed by two local news stations about autism awareness, which I was not expecting at all.  As a result, I was featured on Channel 4 WDIV news.  The coordinator of the Summit listened in to both interviews and told me that I was a "natural."  The way I see it, everyone on the autism spectrum has a special gift and I happen to have a gift with words.  As a result, I feel it is my responsibility to speak on behalf of those on the spectrum and continue to serve as a Voice for the Spectrum.

Autism TV Show Wins Emmy!

A TV program from the United Kingdom recently earned some recognition in the wake of a successful broadcast reception.  The show, "My Autism and Me" won an Emmy Kids Award.  This show, which raises autism awareness, won the award "Best Factual Programme."  The show features Rosie, an individual with autism, who tells her story of what it is like to live on the spectrum.  It is great to know that autism is receiving some positive recognition.

To read more, click on the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/21394074.

Beauty Queen on the Spectrum

Those on the spectrum continue to defy the odds that once restricted us.  In this post, I'm going to share one more glamorous example of what is possible for someone on the autism spectrum.  Alexis Wineman is representing the state of Montana in the Miss America pageant.  Alexis is one girl who has defied the odds that once restricted her.  The basis of her success story is similar the stories of many other individuals on the autism spectrum.  Alexis never imagined ever entering a beauty pageant, just as I never thought I would be a writer or podcast host, and just as many others on the spectrum are successful in ways they never believed possible.  While this doesn't reduce the difficulties associated with autism, the story told by Alexis reflects my own story in many ways.  Our story reflects the stories of so many other self advocates, the ones who received a chance at a crucial moment in our past, and are now living lives we never believed possible.  There is definitely a trend between all the stories told by self advocates.  As Alexis says, people on the spectrum should be viewed as a different type of person who has different needs but is fully capable of succeeding.

To read more about Alexis's story, click on the following link:

http://thelook.today.com/_news/2013/01/10/16447581-miss-montana-is-first-autistic-contestant-for-miss-america?lite

Graduation Day!

Well, today was the big day.  This morning, I walked across the stage to celebrate my college graduation.  For anyone who doubt that people on the autism spectrum could become successful, I am living proof that any challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder can be overcome: