April is Autism Awareness Month. For a couple years I had an idea in my head to invite different bands that I knew to all come together and play music in the same place to each play a set and do it as a fundraiser. So for my birthday, I rented the local Italian American club, had food donated, and invited musician friends to come play music. In between sets I taught line dances. As I was reviewing country line dances on YouTube I found a couple new ones on line, like "The Wobble". My kids told me it's the hottest new line dance (Think "The Electric Slide" and "The Macarena") that they do at weddings and Sweet 16 parties. So of course I had to learn it and teach it. It was so much fun!
Are you ready to party?! Here's the video!
The theme was "Light It Up Blue" which is the big campaign by Autism Speaks. We used blue lights, blue candles and of course had blue drinks! We had a blue Hawaiian drink at the bar, blue cupcakes and blue cake pops. It was just an all around great day. Robbie came and ate and danced. If you follow my vlogs you'll know how much he loves music. When we played "Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker I guess he recognized the song and went out onto the dance floor all on his own and started to dance. It was so cute! I wish I had video but I don't. I only have a couple photos someone took with their phone.
In lieu of gifts I asked people to donate to the Hope Autism Foundation to help fund a new day program. We raised over $3,500. It was so much fun I think I'll do it every April. This first one was a trial run. But next time I'll get more elaborate and charge admission at the door, and do basket raffles etc. to raise more money.
.If you're wondering
"Who the heck is this person who does these vlogs?" LOL
Here's the video I showed at the party, the story of my life.
Saturday, December 21, 2013. Episode 5-"The Sixth Sense"
Robbie moved in on Monday and I have slept on the couch all week. I've spent a lot of time at the group home, and have watched the staff in action. They are not happy about the changes that came about when Robbie moved in. Some are adapting to the change, and some are not. One particular woman just has a lousy attitude. I don't think it's just this week she's like this, I think she's just a miserable person in general. You know, one of those people who thinks the whole world should do things her way, or she's out.
I got up in the morning and tried going to work for a couple hours, but got called to come back to the group home by 1:00 because she was having a problem with him. I was not surprised. I knew Robbie didn't like her. To be honest, I never really noticed how affected Robbie was by other people until I shot these videos. I never saw him interact with people other than family members in this type of setting before. So this was eye opening for me to see how sensitive he is.
Here is my narrative.
And by the way....for those who get nervous about me filming in my car, this episode has bloopers at the end that explain to you WHY I need to film in my car! LOL
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