Maurice Snell rocks on

by Maurice Snell

I wonder what lies ahead of me as I spend my days being back to the normal Maurice Edward Snell, without the perks of being the Easter Seals 2007 National Adult Representative kicking in. All I can say is — I really enjoyed this time of my life when I visited several interesting places and met many people whom I consider “friends,” or “family” for that matter.

Even though my reign as National Adult Representative is over on paper, I’m still not through. I will still be around my Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago’s Autism Therapeutic School job and partake on some traveling opportunities even after my 12 months of stardom is in the rear view mirror.

The reality is — I’m not going anywhere!

For the most part, I enjoyed being a part of yet another Easter Seals National Convention in Washington, D.C. I consider my trip “entertaining.” There was a special guest appearance by Bon Jovi… sort of, along with a spectacular evening with my own band, the Naturals, who courageously came out from my hometown of Chicago to perform for the wonderful people of Easter Seals.

Those people were in for a bigger treat that evening with Beth Finke making a special appearance to sign her newly published book about her and her lovely dog, as they travel to many places together. Even though it may be the Naturals night, it was still Beth’s night to celebrate too.

Sadly, I spent my last day in Washington, D.C. saying farewell to many of my colleagues whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for so long. That includes the people I’ve visited previously, and of course, my friends from Easter Seals.

Evidently, this is not the last of me with Easter Seals, Inc. I will be around for moral support, especially to David Owens and Scottie Gaither and their families. A great year lies ahead of them.

Here’s a toast to a new year for the 2008 Child and Adult Representatives — Scottie and David — I wish them the very best of luck and encourage them to ROCK ON!

Thumbs up for Music Within

by Beth Finke

Donna Smith is a colleague of mine from Easter Seals Project ACTION in Washington, D.C. She wrote with details about a movie that sounds very interesting, I thought I’d share this with our readers. 
– Beth Finke

Thumbs up for Music Within

by Donna Smith

A limited release of a movie titled Music Within starts this weekend. It is based on the life of Richard Pimentel and his experience with the disability movement as well as the training he developed to help employers become more comfortable with their reactions to people with disabilities.

There’s a great interview with Pimentel speaking about the movie, plus a listing of all its openings, at Diversity World.

Larry King calls Music Within “the sleeper of the year” and everything I’ve read thus far indicates that it’s really good. I hope a lot of people go out to see this movie so that it will be released in a bigger way later.

SOS: Save our SCHIP

by Lynn Sinnott

In the “My day on Capitol Hill” post last week, I blogged about traveling with hundreds of Easter Seals advocates to talk to our legislators in Washington, D.C. Our goal was to encourage Congress to override President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP) legislation.

By now you’ve heard — the House did not have the votes to override the President’s veto last week.

The failure to override the SCHIP veto was disappointing, of course. But still, I feel our day on Capitol Hill was NOT wasted. We feel really great about our effort and remain hopeful that a final SCHIP bill will become law.

Our visit to Capitol Hill put Easter Seals on the minds of our legislators. Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentioned Easter Seals several times in her statement to close the debate last week.

This morning, breaking news came in: the House of Representatives will vote TODAY on revised SCHIP legislation. Contact your representative now and ask them to vote in favor of this legislation today. The reauthorization of SCHIP is a priority for many human service and health organizations. Easter Seals, along with other advocacy organizations, encourages you to contact your legislators.

Maurice and the Houston Texans — playing together

by Maurice Snell

I had to travel to Houston to take part in the Houston Tackles Autism campaign, which featured Houston Texans players Matt Schaub and Ahman Green, and the team at Reliant Energy. The event took place in front of an assembly of children at Thompson Elementary School.

It was the debut of their coloring book titled Playing Together: Tips from the Pros, which features Matt, Ahman, and some other characters from the Houston Texans organization. In this book, some of Houston’s favorite sport stars share tips to help kids look past disabilities and understand that kids with disabilities are just kids.

People in Houston can visit Papa John’s locations to obtain a book, or make a donation at www.houstontacklesautism.com to receive a downloadable version of some of the pages  (coming in the next week or so!).

Afterwards, Matt and Ahman were featured on ESPNEWS The Hot List where they discussed the campaign.

I enjoyed meeting these football players the first time I was in Houston but I enjoyed it even more meeting them the second time around, along with a group of school children, because what they do for many children is inspire hope.

Book review: Temple Grandin’s “Thinking in Pictures”

by Heather Pint

Temple Grandin’s memoir, Thinking in Pictures: and Other Reports from My Life with Autism, recounts the journey of an isolated child struggling with a disorder that was fairly unknown at the time. The book celebrates Grandin’s self-discovery and eventual professional success as a professor of animal science.

The author’s insight on behavior, human and animal relationships, sensory issues and emotional development provides the reader with a greater understanding of the internal struggles that are “autism.”

I found this book particularly enlightening and inspirational. Grandin’s thorough portrayal of how she understands words — spoken or written – in visual pictures provides the reader with critical insight into the individual with autisms’ mind.

This is particularly important for educators, like me, so that we are able to maximize the potential of our learners. It is our job to redesign our teaching strategies and
educate our students in a fashion that reaches their individual learning modalities.

If you want a better understanding of the inner-workings of an
individual with autism, read Thinking in Pictures.

Read Heather Pint’s biography.

Book review: Pat Thomas’ “Don’t Call Me Special”

by Paula Pompa-Craven

Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability explains the importance of inclusion using language that children can understand — giving children a nice introduction to the importance of acceptance and tolerance.

I read this book to my 5-year-old daughter Cassidy’s class.

The book asks questions about what it means to have a disability, which generated a lively conversation with Cassidy’s classmates. The children were very willing to share their experiences and interactions.

The book also suggests activities to help children understand what life might be like with a disability — trying to navigate a room while blindfolded, or opening a sealed package while wearing heavy socks on their hands were two of the favorites.

Overall, Don’t Call Me Special was informative and a nice introduction into the subject of disability. Take it from my daughter — this is what Cassidy had to say about the book, “I like this book because it teaches me that people with disabilities want to be treated like everyone else.”

Read Paula Pompa-Craven’s biography.

My day on Capitol Hill

by Lynn Sinnott

Yesterday, I was among hundreds of Easter Seals advocates who climbed into buses and rode to Capitol Hill. We descended on our senators and representatives to talk about the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP). Our goal was to encourage Congress to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP legislation.

I traveled with volunteers and staff from our four Easter Seals affiliates in Florida. It was inspiring to see Easter Seals folks walking through the halls and engaging our representatives. I dropped off an information packet for Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R. – Fla.) and told his staff about our new Autism Center of Excellence in Daytona Beach. 

Then I trekked to Rep. C.W. Bill Young’s (R. – Fla.) office — they were very supportive of the SCHIP reauthorization and had already signed on as a sponsor for the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act — yea! They received a brochure about our Center, too! 

Next, I visited Rep. Tom Feeney’s (R. – Fla.) office. Feeney had toured our Easter Seals facilities last month and actually saw firsthand the Autism Center of Excellence.

I also met with Rep. John Mica (R. – Fla.), who has been a good friend of Easter Seals in the past. Mica has helped us with several bills supporting people with disabilities, and was very interested in signing on as a sponsor for the ADA Restoration Act. Yea! At Mica’s office, I ran into Mike Matousek, who works for Mica and is the son of Diane Matousek. I know Diane from my work in Daytona Beach. Small world!

Those meetings were all in the afternoon — we had already met with our senators that morning!

One meeting went especially well. Sen. Bill Nelson (D. – Fla.) was on board and supported our efforts! The other visit with Sen. Mel Martinez (R. – Fla.) didn’t go quite as well, but we did a good job explaining our perspective and the need for the override.

At lunch I had a chance to sit down and talk with other Easter Seals folks — I heard very encouraging feedback about their visits.

One bit of advice though: if you ever have a chance to visit Capitol Hill, wear comfortable shoes.

I did, and I was very glad! After seven hours on the Hill, I was very tired! And my feet still do hurt a bit, I must admit. But I’m ecstatic about what we accomplished, and now I think everyone should pay a visit to Capitol Hill and their representatives — it’s a great experience!

Read Lynn Sinnott’s biography.

Mr. Simon goes to Washington

by Beth Finke

What an exciting day on Capitol Hill!

Yesterday, 300 volunteers and staff from Easter Seals attended over 250 meetings with their senators and representatives in an effort to urge them to override President Bush’s recent veto of bipartisan State Children’s Health Insurance Plan legislation.

The day kicked off with a press conference in the Cannon House Office Building. There, Sen. Nancy Pelosi (D. – Calif.), Sen. Harry Reid (D. – Nev.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R. – Utah) spoke passionately about the need to override Bush’s veto.

The real highlight of the press conference came when musician Paul Simon, also a co-founder of the Children’s Health Fund, spoke.

“The President’s veto of the reauthorization of SCHIP appears to be a heartless act,” said Simon. “I’m here today to ask those of you who supported the veto to re-examine your conscience, to find compassion in your heart for our most vulnerable and sweetest citizens, our children. I am asking you to change your vote. If you do, I believe it will be one of the proudest days of your life.”

Watch the video of Simon urging Congress to override the President’s veto.

Easter Seals Vision 2010

by Beth Finke

I’m writing today from the Easter Seals National Convention in Washington, D.C. I would have posted something yesterday, but I was too busy!

Yesterday started with a convention breakfast at the Capitol Hilton. Easter Seals President and Chief Executive Officer James E. Williams, Jr. spoke at the breakfast. The day ended with a special event for the Presidents’ Council at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The speaker at this event was… me!

First, about the morning speech; Williams spoke about Vision 2010 – Easter Seals’ plan to extend its reach to 5 million people by the end of this decade.

Williams described how Vision 2010 will enhance direct service and advocacy in four areas of great need: Children’s Services, Older Adult Services, Veterans Services and Autism Services.  

When it comes to autism, Vision 2010 will: 

• strengthen Easter Seals programs for individuals with autism
• ensure that children receive early diagnosis and treatment
• implement new models of “best practices” for care and support across the lifespan
• develop strategic partnerships to advance awareness, public policy and funding initiatives
• create networks offering support and information to families, caregivers and professionals 

My speech last night mentioned Vision 2010, too. I talked about how the computer training I’ve received at Easter Seals helped me gain independence, and how support for Vision 2010 will make me just one of five million that Easter Seals has helped by the end of this decade.

It’s all very exhilarating – now, I can’t wait to hear what happens tomorrow at Capitol Hill Day!

Books about autism

by Beth Finke

Our blog readers are bookworms! In the six months since we launched the Easter Seals and Autism blog, it seems the posts that get the most comments are about… books!

Many of you have suggested different books about autism. And as the recommendations come in – I put them on a list for us to review for the Easter Seals and Autism bookstore. Our bookstore features books reviewed on this blog, and every time someone orders a book through our bookstore, a portion of that sale from Amazon goes to Easter Seals.

The list of suggested books is growing fast. So fast, in fact, that I’ve realized our experts at National Headquarters can’t keep up.

What to do?

Call on Easter Seals’ Autism Spokespersons Network for help!

Easter Seals’ network of autism experts are professionals who work in markets across the country providing help, hope and answers for families living with autism. Members of the network are often interviewed as local media resources and included in discussions, articles and news segments about autism. They seemed a perfect choice to add to our panel of book reviewers.

Those of you who have posted comments about books should be on the lookout for these new voices on our blog — they’ll be reviewing your suggested readings. Those of you who haven’t commented yet: if you know of books you’d like our panel to read, please comment to this post and let us know!