Age of Autism: Mad About Maddie

[Guest guest]

AutismLink wrote: Brought to you by AutismLink Autism Sibling Finalist in CMT Contest: We're Mad about Maddie! Managing Editor's Note: This beautiful young woman needs our votes!By Waelterman http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/12/autism-sibling.html#more Maddie Georgi is one busy (and talented) 16-year-old. In addition to being a high school student (her schedule would boggle the mind of any parent, business person or person on the planet) Maddie is one of the final two contestants in CMT’s Music City Madness Contest. Maddie, whose younger brother Jake was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, has typical feelings of a sibling to a child with autism – the frustration of wanting to help, but not knowing how and the angst at watching others being downright nasty to him affected her deeply. She wanted to express those feelings

and share them with others, so she picked up her guitar and wrote her first song. “Take My Hand”. (Visit her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/maddiegeorgi please.) Take My Hand was written and produced almost two years ago. Maddie’s soothing and soulful voice speaks of reaching out to help children with disabilities. The uplifting Baptist choir rounds out this spiritual ballad where Maddie urges others to “put on a smile and help a child….the rest is up to you..”. Maddie donated 100% of the proceeds of the song to Autism Link, an autism organization based in Pittsburgh. The song has generated thousands of sales. First inspired to write songs by her brother Jake, Maddie continued the trend and now has written many original songs and ballads. She has

played the Hard Rock Café, countless other venues and often makes appearances at autism-related events, free of charge. Her passion for autism is clear. Over the summer Maddie submitted a video with a new song, “Gone Away Again” to Country Music Television’s annual “Music City Madness” competition. Her song was chosen, along with 64 others, out of more than 60,000 submissions. The contest, which allows internet users to vote for their favorite competitor in a NCAA-style “playoff”, started back in October with 64 hopefuls. The contest is now down to two – and Maddie is one of the final two. Maddie is passionate about helping the autism community, and at AutismLink, we are passionate about helping her. Won’t you help her too? Please take the time to vote for Maddie at www.madness.cmt.com. You can VOTE AS OFTEN AS YOU

WANT! Choose the "Music City Madness" link and then click on "vote for the winner." Maddie gives autism a voice – and this platform will help her spread the word. Vote as often as you can! We’re Mad about Maddie! is a graduate of the University of Pgh with dual BAs in Marketing/Communications & English Writing. She has two children with autism and is the founder of Autism Link and the Autism Center of Pittsburgh. Join our listserv! Don't get your news second hand! Get LINKED! http://lists.autismlink.com/lists