5th Annual Walk For Hope and Family Fun Day a Huge Success!
Transcription
5th Annual Walk For Hope and Family Fun Day a Huge Success!
Spring 2011 - 1st Quarter Vickie Nettles - Editor Janmel Moore - Co-Editor while staying small! 5th Annual Walk For Hope and Family Fun Day a Huge Success! The 2011 Walk For Hope was a phenomenal success with close to 3,000 in attendance. This year definitely marked the largest turnout ever for the five year event. The weather was flawless, allowing everyone there to enjoy themselves. Although it may have been a little more crowded than in previous years, the event and location still provided an excellent and safe venue. Much thanks and appreciation must go to the following food sponsors: Albertsons; Cabot Cheese Company; Cades Supermarket; Friedman Ice Company; Great Harvest Bread Company; Joyce’s Supermarket; Julien’s Poboys; Kentwood Water; Kleinpeter Farms; Knights of Columbus, Cankton Council, #10745; Lafayette Sertoma Club; Leading Health Care; Mello Joy Coffee; Miller’s Market; NuNu’s Fresh As the gates opened, the thou- Market; Olde Tyme Grocery; Popeye’s; Raising Cane’s sands waiting filed in. Thanks Chicken Fingers; Sonic Driveto the hard work of Dr. John and Mrs. Mary Anne Oller and In; Vance & Liz Lanier, Raymond James Financial Services; the many volunteers handling registration, on-line and on-site and ACTION Krewe Civitan Club. The Olde Tyme Grocery registration was smooth and trouble-free. The Park quickly snowball stand was a big hit. filled with families exploring all of the activities present. The walk was preceded by a Whether they were exercising prayer by Dwayne Bourgeois, their bodies on the fun jumps Youth Pastor of The Family provided by Special Ops, or Church, and the national anexercising their minds at the them was sung by performing build-it-yourself station, with and recording artist, Gregg small building kits provided by Martinez. Our emcee for the Lowes and Home Depot, the day was our special guest, Dr. kids were all having a blast. Jim Ball, Chair of the national Other activities included: face Autism Society. The warm-up painting; a rock wall; Mitch the was lead by Dottie Faulk, Magician and Balloon Artist; mother of a child with autism, Sassyfraz, The Clown, and a and a personal trainer and ingames trailer which was new to structor at Our Lady of the children’s activities area. Lourdes Fitness Center. The one-mile stroll started outside the gates of Parc International. Walkers circled downtown Lafayette returning to Parc International for a day of Family Fun. This year, a new Walk event "The Dance Contest” was held. What a treat to watch the children and adults dancing their hearts out! Congratulations to all the dancers!! Each winner will receive a ‘Dance Contest’ trophy. Inside this issue: Spotlight Column 2 Lance’s Story 3 Walk Sponsors 4-5 Walk Photos 6-7 Workshops, Conferences, Events, Programs 8-9 Cohen’s Toy Box 10 Free ASAC 10 Ethan’s Pieces and Cameron’s Membership Crew and Blaise’s Too were recognized for having the largest Federal Legislation on 11 number of walkers. The followAutism ing teams were recognized for Movie: Wretches and 11 raising over $1,000! They were Jabberers as follows: Alex’s T-Rex’s; 12 Alex’s Army; Beckett’s Buddies; ASAC Stipend Program Braden’s Brigade; Colby’s Clan; Ethan’s Pieces; Libby, Donna IDEA Special 12 & Buddy’s Team; Logan’s RockEducation ers; Noah’s Ark of Hope; Oh Oh Knights for Cadence; and 5th Annual Walk for Sky’s the Limit. Hope. Next year our Walk will be even bigger The total proceeds of the Walk for Hope will allow the Autism and better as we all do Society of Acadiana to continue our part to put the pieces together and to keep its operations and fully fund all Hope alive. programs and activities budg- eted for 2011-2012. Thank you to all sponsors, donors, participants, volunteers and Walk Staff, and all who contributed to the successful Rock for Hope, March 26, 2011 In April of this year, Jim Nobles, dad to Cadence, put into motion a plan to raise autism awareness in a new and different way and at the same time, generate funds for ASAC. Jim is a musician, a rocker, it’s what he knows and loves. He also has many friends and fellow musicians who he knew would embrace the cause that is so close to his heart. For Jim, it was a no-brainer to put those contacts and skills to use and so it was that Rock for Hope was born. Jim was the planner, coordinator and promoter of the event. On March 26, Artmosphere, on Johnston Street, hosted the rocking event which began Saturday afternoon and lasted till the wee hours of the morning on Sunday. The lineup included: Ronnie Vice; Good Vibes; Oceans & Chimneys; Ray; and Brass Mimosa. All of the admission fees were donated to ASAC. Several people gave donations at the door or simply refused to accept their change from the $7 per person admission fee. Autism Society of Acadiana is so grateful and appreciative of this one member’s desire to make a difference for his child and so many others. The 1st Rock for Hope, which we do hope will become an annual event, raised over $1300 for Autism Society of Acadiana. Jim, we just want to say thank you, give you a shout out and say - YOU ROCK, DUDE! Spotlight on Achievement—Our Brag Section! 1) Yancy Romero Woodvale. Congratulations, Renee!! who is in the 4th grade at L. Leo Judice Montessori made the 7) Catherine Nettles rehonor roll for the first ceived a 1st Place ribbon 9 weeks. Yancy has in the Girls 50 Meter Walk Asperger's syndrome. at the Lafayette Parish Way to go, Yancy! Special Olympics Track and Field event on April 1st! Congratulations, Catherine! April 1st was 2) TJ is now potty also Catherine’s birthday! Happy Birthday, trained and talking so Catherine, from Mama and Daddy! much that he almost got a sad face one 8) Caden Carlos can now day! YAAY!!! write his name and can sign almost 200 words. He can now communicate more easily with his family and others! Way 3) Brandon Moore to go, Caden!! has begun to take part in small group activities in school! He has also begun to start taking words he knows and using them in context, forming two to three words from time to time! 4) Andrew Waihi is using complete sentences about 50% of the time both at home and at school and is asking questions too. His parents, Duane and Vickie are thrilled with his progress. Congratulations and keep up the good work, Andrew! 5) Nathan Andrepont made straight A's for the 3rd nine weeks period! Way to go, Nathan! 6) Renée LaCour made honor roll on her 3rd nine weeks report card. She is in Mrs. Laurie Labit's third grade class at Page 2 9) Conner can spell 3-letter words, say and spell all his colors and write his first name too! Keep up the great progress, Connor!! 10) John Michael Pellegrin received a 2nd Place ribbon at the Lafayette Parish Special Olympics event. That’s awesome, John Michael! 11) Anthony DesOrmeaux is an 11 year old who was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and PDD-NOS the summer of 2009. Anthony also has been diagnosed as having ADHD since his first year in kindergarten. After many years of struggling in school with difficulty learning basic math facts and language, he has overcome many challenges. Recently his principal contacted his mom in order to submit Anthony’s name for the Cox Inspirational Hero Program. As his mom, Chrystal, has watched her son struggle for so many years, she is so proud of what Anthony has accomplished and is so very proud of the person her son is growing to be. 12) Braden Leblanc, son of Melissa and Neal Leblanc, came in 1st place for the 2010-2011 Young Author's Contest, 3rd Grade Nonfiction (SPED). Braden's paper now moves on to Regionals!! Congratulations, Braden!! 13) Chance is an 11th grade student at North Vermilion High School. He recently started working his first job at The Grand 16, just returned from a missions trip to Mexico and took the ACT where he scored a 31. Way to go, Chance! His parents are so proud of his many accomplishments! Congratulations, Chance!! ** If you would like us to highlight YOUR child’s accomplishments in this column, please submit the announcement via email to [email protected]. Please submit a photo also so we can put a face to your child’s achievements for all the world to see!! If you have any questions, please contact Vickie at the ASAC office, 235-4425 or via email at [email protected]. All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. ~~~~~~~~~~~Walt Disney All things at first appear difficult. -~~~~~~~~~~Chinese proverb To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first. -~~~~~~~~~William Shakespeare Fall seven times, stand up eight. -~~~~~~~~~~Japanese Proverb “Lance’s Story” by Janmel Moore, Co-editor, ASAC Newsletter Oftentimes individuals with autism stand out. Some like a sore thumb and others not so much. But the truth of the matter is, they are stars waiting for their chance to soar just like the rest of us. People with autism have delays in development, a language delay is usually one of the main characteristics. However, so many individuals affected by this disorder, use their strengths to amaze all around them. There may be only one or two things that the individual is really good at or really passionate about, but whatever it is, they are often exceptionally good, and/or extremely passionate about it. Autism Society of Acadiana's newsletter editor, Vickie Nettles said, "If we nurture their interest, it can turn into something they are really good at [doing]." One individual affected by autism who has accomplished outstanding things in life by accepting who he is and using his strengths is Lance Pelissier. Lance grew up receiving a number of diagnoses from the time he was a preschooler. Because he was not speaking at age three, he was put into the school system to receive early intervention help. His mom remembers the separation anxiety and social anxiety problems Lance began to have. "They said he had a behavior disorder," replied Lance's mom, Lynn Pelissier. Lynn continued saying, "We tried ADHD medication and that did not work." Mrs. Pelissier also recalled that they seemed to go through all the diagnoses that kind of went along with behavioral issues but never seemed to receive one that truly fit Lance. Lance's parents did not fully understand his disorder at the time; they could only be patient and take it one day at a time with him. So Lance began his school years as a misunderstood child by soci- ety at-large. "The biggest problem was that kids were not taking the time to get to know me and I feel that was the biggest source of the problems I was having," Lance commented on his school years. Lance also wished that some of his teachers could have tried to get to know him as well. "It would have given them an understanding and teach them how to handle special situations." Mom recalls that middle school was the worst because that is when all the bullying and teasing began. "Instead of punishing the students who were doing the bullying and teasing, they punish what they don't understand," said Lance. Lance remembers being punished for lashing out in response to being picked on for no other reason other than being different. So, while he could not understand why kids were treating him so unfairly, he also had to deal with feeling like he was the one doing something wrong; this situation would frustrate and confuse anyone. As for the faculty and staff of the school, Lance’s mom says, “Some handled it [well], and others didn't." going on," said Lance. "Step one to solving a problem is realizing there is a problem," he added. In 2001, Lance received his high school diploma from Acadiana High School. All individuals affected by autism do not reach this goal, and Lance was one of two to make the accomplishment in the state of Louisiana that year. "Exit exam modifications helped Lance," said mom. Of course the language section was the most challenging for him, but Lance did not let that stop him. He had taken and failed the section before, when he realized something. "I am more of an auditory learner," he said. Lance explained that he could not understand certain things if they were read to him, but if he read it himself, it made things more understandable. "I read it myself and caught my mistakes and that helped me to understand the language part more," replied Lance. And the strategy worked perfectly for him. Lance retook the language portion and passed. Lance said that he feels this is why taking the time to get to know a person and what works for them, whether one is After years of adapting to his affected by autism or not, is so behavior and mannerisms, Lance's important. He is a firm believer parents finally got the right diag- that everyone can learn and nosis. Lynn was teaching special should be given the opportunity to education at the time and was do so. "Continue on and fight for preparing to welcome an individ- your child and someone will ual affected by autism to her eventually listen. I know it's frusclass. "I was reading up on autism trating and we've all been there, for a new student and then I real- but the parent knows the child ized it," said Lance’s mom. Lance best," Lance’s mom replied, givshowed so many of the character- ing advice to other parents of istics of an individual affected by children affected by autism. autism, that she instantly knew this was the right diagnosis. After Between the ages of five and Lance was seen by a psychiatrist seven, Lance found his first love, for an evaluation to make the computers, after getting his first determination, he was diagnosed video game, The Nintendo. He with Asperger Syndrome at the self taught himself technical supage of 18. "Nothing really port issues dealing with comchanged at that point, we just puters years later because of this. adjusted to what had to be done," Then he got his first digital camreplied his mom. It is evident that era and began watching Tech TV. they were doing the right things Merging the two began his love all along because Lance is amaz- affair with digital media. "I got ing. "The first thing I recommend my first digital camera and it was is to understand the disorder and around that point that I started realize the complexity of what is working on pictures," said Lance with a smile on his face. Anyone who knows him knows how much he loves to take pictures and make slide shows or picture movies. Lance also likes to upload his work on YouTube. But that's not the only work of Lance's to be found online. "About two years ago, I created a Microsoft word document and submitted it to Lulu.com. The document was Lance's first book, Living With Asperger’s. The book can be purchased from Lulu.com or Amazon.com, and is printed as it is ordered. Today, Lance, 29, is a volunteer at the Lafayette Animal Shelter. He goes there about twice a week and is responsible for walking the dogs. He is mostly proud of the fact that he gets to name a few from time to time. “It's a pretty good feeling,” replied Lance, continuing, "I am happy to go out and do something." Lance wants to obtain a degree in computer science, be able to live on his own, and be employed. Through the love and acceptance from his parents and by his own efforts, Lance has come a very long way. “Originally, it was kind of difficult, but now it is not something that I think about. I just do it, except for when I'm tired,” Lance said. His mom, Lynn, is proud of Lance’s gains in understanding the subtleties of language, such as slang and idioms, which he often uses. She also commended her son for his new level of tolerance and acceptance of those who are unwilling to do the same for him. "Over the years, I learned how to control a lot of my issues,” Lance replied. He added that when he does lose control it is usually in response to someone making him mad by provoking him. Although he is still in the middle on his feelings of being in social settings, Lance is definitely a face of hope. "Lance is loving, loyal, and just an all around good kid”, his mom said. "I am talented for one; gifted in a particular field." added Lance. Wishing all mom and dads a very Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Father’s Day! Enjoy YOUR special day of recognition for all that you do! Page 3 2011 Walk For Hope Sponsors: Platinum, Silver, and Bronze SPICE Annie Spell, Ph. D. Alesi’s Restaurant Arthur C. Leblanc Jr. , CPL & Associates Charles E. Padgett, M. D. Drs. Kristoffer and Joslyn McCoy Page 4 THANKS TO ALL WHO MAKE THE WALK DAY GREAT ACADIANA BOTTLING COMPANY ACTION KREWE CIVITAN CLUB ALBERTSON'S ALLIED WASTE SERVICES AT&T PIONEERS CABOT CHEESE COMPANY CADES SUPERMARKET CELEBRATIONS DISCOVERY TOYS DOTTIE FAULK, LOURDE'S FITNESS CENTER FRIEDMAN ICE COMPANY GREAT HARVEST BREAD COMPANY GREGG MARTINEZ, SINGING ANTHEM & MISSING PIECES JOYCES SUPERMARKET JULIEN'S POBOYS KENTWOOD WATER KLEINPETER FARMS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, CANKTON COUNCIL #10745 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF DEPARTMENT LAFAYETTE SERTOMA CLUB LEADING HEALTH CARE L&D COMMUNITY CARE LOWE'S HOME IMPROVEMENT MELLO JOY COFFEE MILLER'S MARKET MITCH THE MAGICIAN MARK DOMINGUE, DOMINGUE DJ SERVICE NUNU'S FRESH MARKET OLD TYME GROCERY POPEYE'S RAISING CANE'S CHICKEN FINGERS SASSAFRAZ THE CLOWN SONIC DRIVE IN SPECIAL OPS ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS CLIPS ST. PIUS KC'S THE FAMILY CHURCH VANCE & LIZ LANIER, RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES VOLUNTEERS AND FRIENDS OF ASAC SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR 2011 AUTISM ANGELS M.A. PATOUT & SONS ARIES MARINE CORPORATION MID SOUTH BANK MARINE INDUSTRIAL FABRICATION PHIL FRUGE COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT BOBBY GUIDROZ IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY MORNHINVEG & CASTILLE JEWELERS ACADIANA HANDICAP SOLUTIONS GOOD NEIGHBOR PHARMACY MICHAEL MELANCON, MD PARAMOUNT OIL TOOLS & EQUIPMENT THE SCHUMACHER GROUP SURGERY CENTER PROGRESSIVE TRACTOR & IMPLEMENT CO. FOOD N FUN, INC. THANK YOU TO PUBLICITY & MEDIA SUPPORTERS KLFY TV-10 KATC TV-3 LAMAR FACE MAGAZINE Page 5