An encouraging thank you for anyone who needs one!!

[Guest guest]

> This is a " Thank You " that started out for those involved in the rally -

> but ended up to be for anyone touched by Autism......

>

>

> This is for all the Bernard Rimlands - those who have devoted 30 plus

> years to putting behind us old myths and theory's of " refrigerator moms "

> and replacing them with the new emphasis on the medical aspects of autism.

> This is for all the Reynolds out there - women of great faith and

> sheer determination to " Open a Nation's Eyes to Autism " by blazing new

> trails of parent centered bio-medical research organizations to further

> the effort started. This is for all the Beck's out there

> boldly " Standing Up, and Speaking Out and Letting their Voice be Heard "

> in challenging the medical establishment and pursuing what they believe is

> a scientifically valid treatment for their child. This is for women like

> her who have replaced " Good Housekeeping " with stacks and stacks of

> medical literature on Autism. This is for all the people who started and

> are part of the ASA's, ARI's, CAN's, AAI's, the MAT's, and the MAX

> Foundation's, and The Flutie Foundations and all the other privately based

> organizations and foundations - - - - for putting their volunteer time and

> dedication and resources into helping put the pieces together for our

> children. This is for all the Carol Fruscella's with " The Dream " of

> Autism Awareness, inspiring other mothers that they can make a difference!

> This is for all the Joanne Fradkin's out there starting grass-roots

> efforts to raise awareness - like the rally April 8th in Washington, so

> that the Nation can " Hear~Their~Silence " , refering to individuals with

> Autism. This is for LeGendre who is at home stitching together the

> " A Call to Action " Quilt for Awareness. This is for all the mother's too

> numerous to name and thank who have devoted the last year to Autism and

> promoting this rally for awareness. You know who you are. You counted

> down for us, you counted hotel rooms for us, and you set up a web page for

> us. You are the ones who sacrificed time with your own family to make a

> call, send a letter, and contact your legislatures. Instead of folding

> clothes, you were folding fabric to assemble ribbons. You are the ones

> who did not take no for an answer in talking to your newspapers and media

> to do a story. You are the ones who organized the fundraisers, mailed out

> flyers, took time - made time - and stole time - - - to spread the word

> to and seek donations from anyone you could contact. This is for those

> who can't be a part of going to D.C., so instead you support us, cheer us

> on, and pray for us. This is for all the dad's who play a major role in

> Autism. Instead of running away from the responsibility, you are out

> there with the rest of us trying to find your way. You are few and far

> between and you are appreciated. This is for all the doctors and

> professionals, who have set up websites of information for all of us to

> learn from. This is for all the list moderators who started the

> discussion and support lists and news lists that are really our only

> source of information, help, and support. This is for all the members on

> the lists.......without ever having met - one has the sense of " family "

> that can only be understood by those who have been there and done

> that.........you willingly and honestly and unselfishly share your

> information, expertise, and advice, for all of us to benefit. This is

> for all the " plain ole " mothers of Autism out there struggling to find the

> balance in it all. You are the women with hairy legs, unfiled nails, and

> you have split ends. You haven't been to the doctor in years for

> yourself, but you take you child to any doctor you can, in hopes that they

> could maybe help you in your attempts to get answers. You never remember

> to take your own vitamins - but yet you never miss a day of your child's

> supplement regimen. You pack GFCF lunches every day of every year. You

> are late to work, but early to every ARD meeting and you come prepared for

> battle! You've given up late night movies and intimate evenings for

> precious time on your computer, reading, searching, praying for answers.

> You write and forward poems that touch our heart and allow us to release

> the tears that will cleanse our soul and refresh us. This is for the

> mom's who never give up. You are doing the best you can to help your

> child with Autism, and trying to somehow make life as normal as possible

> for your typical children. You are exhausted from managing your career,

> your house, and your marriage. This is especially for all the mother's

> who have lost their marriages as a result of the enormous pressure and

> strain of Autism. I wouldn't even know how to thank a single parent for

> all they do in raising a special needs child alone! This is for those

> Angels in our lives that God has put there to help us on our journey. Be

> it family members who help as best they can, the teacher who goes above

> and beyond, or the friend that takes your child for an afternoon. Last

> but not least this thank you is for our children. For perhaps teaching us

> the meaning of the most important Biblical lesson of all: Faith, Hope,

> and Love..... and the greatest of these is Love.