“A” is for Autism

I may have mentioned it before, but I used to teach kids on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  My job is a bit broader now, but I will never forget my roots in education. 

Well, a gal I used to teach with notified me on Facebook that her class was holding a big Arts and Crafts Fair at her school today with the proceeds going to benefit kids with ASD.  Shopping alone brings me out, but shopping for a great cause brings me running.

My friend had done a great job (as usual).  The school gym was filled with vendors.  Signs displaying the autism banner were everywhere.

My first purchase was some terrific “Cannery Creek Candles” from Anna, the owner of Black Willow Bath and Candles (cannerycreekcandles.com).

(I bought the wooden bowl they are sitting in too for a bargain price of $5).  Anyway the candles are soy and smell wonderful….as good as Yankee I dare say.  She brands her logo into the jar lid which I have never seen done before.  Well, I got to talking to Anna and she told me she is going to start taking her stuff to North Market in Columbus, Ohio where they have a seasonal Farmer’s Market two Sundays a month beginning in May.  She said it is a wonderful place to go….tons of vendors and music.  I will definitely check it out.

My other two purchases were from a local lady who also sells her wares at the Farmer’s Market in downtown Parkersburg.  Her prices were great and her stuff unique.

I ALMOST bought a new plaque for the front of my house. 

My plaque

See the bottom of the plaque where the edges are a bit jagged?  That is where I removed my ex-husband’s name with a hammer.  It is a piece of art I am just too sentimental about.

In all seriousness, I salute my friend who continues to fight for this special population.  What she did today and every other day makes a difference.

We Are Marshall!

Despite the title, I am not going to spend a lot of time on the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 players and 5 coaches of the Marshall University football team (as well as 33 other people).  I was 11 years old when it happened and really don’t remember much about it.  Later, when I was in high school, I had a psychology teacher who was a member of the football team during that time.  For whatever reason he was not aboard that ill-fated plane.  I always wondered what heavy burdens that placed on his life.  From the Ashes We Rose!

In 2006, film crews descended upon Huntington to make the movie “We Are Marshall”.  I do believe that the local women still have visions of Matthew McConaughey dancing in their heads.  Seriously, it was a cool time for this part of the state and for the Marshall Campus.  Soon after the filming, Marshall changed their logo to

With that said, Marshall University has other sources of pride.  It is one of these that is the reason for my visit today……The West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall.

In 1983 the WV legislature established the Autism Training Center at Marshall.  Since then, over 900 families of children with autism have registered for services from the center.  In 2002 a college program for students with Asperger’s Disorder was established.  These students are given the support they need to earn a college degree and lead productive, independent lives.  There are 33 of them enrolled at present!  With a little support we rise!

So…..let’s talk about my trip to Marshall Campus today.  Of course it is raining buckets and Lesa and I aren’t sure where we are going so we get directions at the hotel and head out on our sure-to be-wet journey.  We make it to the parking garage then set out on foot.  These are my feet:

Yeah, I know I have on sandals.  In my defense, it was sunny and seventy degrees when I left town yesterday! I did get a bit ingenious when it came to keeping my materials for the meeting dry:

A little piece of hillbilly luggage!

Lesa and I finally made it to the meeting thanks to our trusty campus map which was a bit worse for wear by the time we got there. From the puddles we dry!

 Our meeting was at the Student Center.

I don’t know if you can see, but there were signs up all over the place advertising Rush Week!  I looked around until I found the Fraternity my son joined during his college days at Marietta.  Here it is!

And he told me it was an “academically oriented” fraternity!  Despite the beer kegs we shine!

Chucktown

Chucktown, AKA C-town, AKA Charleston, WV….our state capitol! 

My destination today was in South Chucktown at Marshall University Graduate Center or MUGC as we call it (pronounced MUG CEE). I am going for a meeting of the West Virginia Autism Training Center Advisory Board.  We meet four times a year so four times a year I get in my car and drive 80 miles and sit through a four hour meeting then get in my car and drive 80 miles back home.  Sometimes travel is not so glamorous!  But my car knows the trip well.  Today I just stuck in an audiobook (F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton) and let the Monte Carlo lead the way! No speeding tickets, please!

MUGC

One of the board members is a young man with Asperger’s.  He introduced himself by saying “I am an Aspie”.  He said he might start taking some college classes.  The WVATC has a wonderful college program at Marshall University in Huntington, WV for students with Asperger’s Syndrome.  These students are able to reach their dreams of getting a college degree because they have a strong support system behind them.

Best part of the trip?  Making it up the driveway and parking in my garage!

Do you know someone on the Autism Spectrum?