[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Alexei Trebounskikh]

Hello, everyone!
I would appreciate if you can send me some information about ABA programs and funding in Montreal.
Thanks a lot,

rhinocerus@praisemail.com

Alexandra

[Jacqueline and Dennis Bell]

I am looking for the family we (My husband and I) met at the Autism conference in North Vancouver. They had a older child (teenager I believe) and were having trouble finding a consultant.

I have a name of a consultant who may take you on so please email me If you are still looking.

Jacqueline

JMRBELL@telus.net

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Franca:

What a great idea! We here in the Okanagan would also love that possibility.

Barbara

[Deleted User]

Hello Featers of the Mainland,

How can we, Featers of the Island, get access to your valuable discussion group meetings? They sound great! We would love to attend, but the transportation logistics make it difficult for us to do so. Any ideas? Videotaping?

Cheers,

Franca from Victoria

[Lisa Thibodeau]

Michael Coles is doing a walkathon across canada to raise 30 million for Autism children, its called "Carrying the load for Children".
Check out the website at http://www.littlefeetcharities.com

[Nancy Robins]

I saw a news clip yesterday about the Sun Run. They were doing a story on Team Autism that ran. I ended up missing the story but am interested to know if any of the members of that team are on this board. Post on the board or email me at whale58@telus.net Thanks!

[Lis Louwrier]

Thank you David for posting such a great story about your son. I look for these stories to read on days when I need a little chicken soup for my soul. I hope you won't mind if I share one of my own today. It is called A day with Mr. Incredible (my son's favourite superhero).

Our son has been in a Lovaas/ABA program since May 2003 and we have run 40 hours a week since we began. There are days when I look at the bank balance and think what will happen to us but last week I put it aside for a truly great moment. Last Thursday a therapist called in sick (everyone has been ill lately) and I realized that I had to fill a four hour gap with Mr. Incredible and his little brother until the next therapy shift.

The day was beautiful so I decided to walk to the local recreation centre which is about 20 minutes by foot. So we got our stuff on and walked out the door. We made it to the centre quite happily. Mr. Incredible was singing nursery rhymes and ad libbing some tunes while his little brother Dash was sitting happily in the stroller. We then spent the next hour playing in Kindergym with a classmate from Mr. Incredible's preschool. When his friend entered, Incredible ran over and they hugged each other. Then they started to chase each other like only little superheroes aim to do. At the end of Kindergym the team leader rounded up the kids and called them to circle time. Mr. Incredible dashed over unprompted and sang songs with the other kids. He and his friend exchanged mischevous glances and I smiled from afar because I remember what those mischevous glances meant at age 4 or 5. At the end Mr. Incredible approached the team leader. He told he had a great time and gave her little hug. In his own words he said: "You did a great job lady!"

After Kindergym, Incredible was ravenous and he asked if he could have french fries from McDonalds. I said..sure but we have to walk there. So another walk of 25 minutes along a busy road full of distractors, noise, etc. In McDonalds we sat, laughed, I spilled Frutopia all over the place and he said I was a silly mommy. Afterwards, we walked home, stopped and talked to a neighbour and sang some more tunes. All in all we were gone for 3.5 hours on foot.

It was the best day of my life and I cried a happy tear. I felt normal for the first time in a long time. I am sharing this story because 2 years ago I could not leave my house nor could I invite anyone over. My son could not handle transitions, change, walks, strangers, shops, gyms, people, etc. You name it and I could not do it because he just could not manage it. He did not understand my world and I could not break into his. I thought I would never have a normal day with this beautiful child. But I was lucky to find out about ABA via FEAT, find a great consultant (Lisa Wincz) and junior consultant (Michelle Auton) and life has changed. It is hard work and there is little money but what I experienced was so special and so normal that I am sharing it because I hope that if by chance the parent of a newly diagnosed child is surfing this site, they will hear what is possible with proper intervention. This is what our children need and we all know it. It is painful that it comes at the personal expense of decent families trying to make a difference.

Today we are all sick and are running around with fevers but I have that day and I know what is possible on a day when we are healthy. I hope this message finds someone in a better place today.

All the best,
Lis in Victoria a.k.a Mr. Incredible's mom.

[Jenn Ralph]

Tonight's FEAT/ASBC meeting in West Van is at 7:30pm (according to the post on the ASBC website).
Jenn

[Katy Harandi]

What time is the F.E.A.T. of B.C. discussion group meeting tonight at St. Francis-in-the-wood Anglican Church in West Vancouver?

Thanks,
Katy

[David Chan]

So there was no school on Friday. Had to do something with the kids. Wound up with two other kids from Mr. P's class, and Miss V our daughter. All in all 4 kids in tow, we had to find something to do.

Plan A – Go Bowling, and Have Pizza, This is and Easy Sell.
This will take up two hours….Then what ?

Plan B – Go to the Parish centre and Make Sandwiches for the homeless.

Well, Plan A went off with out too much of a hitch,

Now Plan B is harder sell. You're Actually going to work. Got to the kitchen at our Parish. Put the kids on the assembly line. Miss V put too much mustard on the bread, but hey the kid's 8
she doesn't even put butter on her own bread at breakfast.

Mr.P was in charge of bagging the Sandwiches. He worked steadfastly, for 1.5 hours, no whining, or complaining, or off topic talking.

You all have to know what it felt like to be there. Here's this kid, who for the most part couldn't be in public school in kindergarten and Grade 1, now 6 years later, with lots,and lots of intervention,( We do mean lots…Still try to have sessions six days a week) doing something to contribute, yes folks contribute to people less fortunate than himself.

That cannot be a bad thing.

The kids all had ice cream after they finished the job. 20 loaves of bread, and a lot of sandwiches later.

The point here is that our children…the ones that are "special" CAN make a contribution. When most of their lives Adults in their lives have basically labelled them to be a drain on the system..(healthcare and educational)

When our guys are given to oppourtunity to contribute, they will, and maybe it's just stuffing sandwiches in a bag, but just by being there, and show their best possible selves. (I do mean the self that's had some serious ABA therapy) they contribute.

Never, EVER,EVER sell our kids short.

Two proud parents,

Julia and Dave

Mr. P, and Miss V parents

[Author]

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