• "Hearts Filled with Love"
  And so another KindTree - Autism Rocks Family Camp / Retreat is behind us. This year we started a little early and hosted 13 guests on Thursday. Many of then ended up helping out, while the rest just relaxed and watched everyone set up their tents and get settled. And after the weekend was over, this is what I read on our feedback forms:

  "We love this place and the volunteers are awesome! X-tra thanks to the bathroom crew who made sure there was always TP!"

  "Very fun. The kids really loved all the art activities."

  "Autism Camp is the highlight of my summer. I love everything and everybody at camp. Thanks so much for being You!"

  "I love it here - everyone is so happy."

  "Great time, great people, we’re leaving with hearts filled with love."

  "I loved the arts & crafts and accordion and guitar and T R Kelley and loved helping in the kitchen. I loved the friendly atmosphere!"

  Our feedback forms also revealed the most popular aspect of the Retreat: the sense of community, the people, the love in the air. We are especially proud of that kind of feedback. Creating a safe place to be yourself, to make friends, to be part of it, is our most important goal. Our volunteers work through the year to keep improving our event, listening to your feedback (gonna be a dance party next year…), fine tuning our established activities, all with your safety and community in mind.
  Read more here...
  

• Mary-Minn's Stim Page 9-2011
  It’s about time
  

  "Time is a-wasting. My friend is 30 minutes late for our art day in my back yard. I can’t decide whether to be anxious, annoyed, or liberated to power through a more pressing task, so, paralyzed by indecisiveness, I compromise by feeling all three. I start by over-analyzing the possibilities.

  Could it be that I have the day wrong? I try to call her but am relegated to leaving a message. I ask my husband how long I should wait.

  Was I being too inflexible and selfish when I insisted on doing it today rather than Wednesday because on Wednesday I wouldn’t have enough downtime after seeing "The Help" with another friend?

  Is she mad at me for being short with her the other day when she one-upped a symptom I was kvetching about by describing an even more gruesome affliction of hers rather than compassionately listening? Or have I inadvertently offended her in some other way? I have to constantly remind myself to anticipate pitfalls and avoid committing breaches of etiquette and tactfulness."
  Read the rest here...

  
  
• Poetry by Nicole Taylor, Eugene
  I’m waiting outside Amtrak, father, son hoping to visit Wisconsin
  
  
• Autistic and Seeking a Place in an Adult World
  the coordinator of a new kind of “transition to adulthood” program for special education students at Montclair High School, wondered if they were all in over their heads...
  
  
• Taking your son/daughter to the dentist
  This article hopes to make you aware of some of these challenges prior to your first visit.
  
  
• Disabled custodian at airport earns state honor
  Airport custodian who struggled for years to find work because he has autism has won a state honor
  
  
• The debut novel from Decemberists' Colin Meloy
  Portland's Forest Park becomes a fantasy world
  
  
• Donors can claim a Cultural Trust tax credit
  Anyone who has written a check to KindTree - Autism Rocks already has done the painful part
  
  
• Oregon Days of Culture
  "A REAL MAN" with Mike Guido is a great local event that is part of the Oregon Days of Culture
  
  
• DOE Survey re:parent disputes with schools
  significant emotional and financial costs associated with disputes between educators and parents of children with special needs
  

More of "Hearts filled with Love..."

Coming up this October 1st is a truly special event. Mike Guido, a successful stand-up comic formerly of Eugene, will be returning for his one man show, "A Real Man". A tale of comedy, tragedy and inspiration, this live performance will surely touch you. If you find few people understand what you, as a parent or loved one of someone on the spectrum, go through every day, invite them to join you for this show. In the midst of all the laughter and tears, they just might get it. Raising awareness is one of our missions, and we’re hoping this will be one fun way to make it happen.

VIP tickets get in you early to meet Mike, listen to Paul Safar on a great Grand Piano, and get a head start on our silent auction. Regular ticket doors open at 7:00 pm. And the show begins at 7:30 with me and Mary-Minn doing a special number! Don’t miss it, and don’t be late! GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

Later in October, at 3:00 on Sunday the 23rd, we present our 8th Mask Making Party. This one is a little different as there is no Karaoke. Instead we have a Talent Show. Hart Keene the Magician will be the host, encouraging you to get on stage and share your talent - dance, song, poetry, mathematics, disappearing, whatever. There will be a sign up sheet, and you can even call ahead at 541 521 7208 or autism@kindtree.org to get on the list early. Keep your act to 8 minutes, please.

Finally, we are reaching out this Fall to folks in Cottage Grove with a special Art Opening at the Axe and Fiddle in December - watch for the dates. I hope you can share in some of these activities with us. It’s always a treat to see you.

Thanks for listening...