TAMING THE SAVAGE BEAST.....

Taming the SAVAGE Beast....
Okay, this may surprise some people, but maybe not.... I believe that we live in a country, the great U.S.A., that allows us the freedom to say and feel what we wish. Just ask the A.C.L.U., who defends every creepy organization their is...including NAMBLA...
I think Michael Savage has the right to say whatever he feels...no matter how wrong Mr. Savage is. I won't even repeat the ignorant things he said on his talk show.
I will state however, that I believe he is correct in one aspect. I think that the diagnosis of Autism has been spread so thin, that anyone can fit into the broad spectrum that they have made Autism. I believe that if you "doctor shop", like many people I know have, you will get a diagnosis of Autism for your child...and in turn, better services for you child.
I believe that is what Mr. Savage was trying to say.
When our oldest was diagnosed, the Autism spectrum DID NOT include ADHD, OCD, Bi-polar, Asperger's, or Sensory Integration Dysfunction....it did just add PDD-NOS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified...The diagnosis just had Autism and PDD-NOS.
With the addition of the other disorders, now linked to Autism, the Autism Spectrum grew, as did the number of Autistic people. I believe the frustration Mr. Savage feels with these added diagnosis and the added burden on our Social Services made him make his comments.
This being said....I DO NOT condone the manner or way in which he made his statements. Technically, He attacked the parent's and doctor's of the children. He said we did not discipline our children, have father's for our children, and that the doctor's misdiagnosed our children.Now, that being said, he is a buffoon...I never liked him. His voice grates on my nerves.Yet, I have the privelege of being able to change the station.When my book is published, people will have the ability to not buy it and not read it.....
Dang,Michael Savage said what he felt. Although I don't agree with him, if we take away his right to vent....we have to take away all of our rights.

ON MY MIND....

Okay, I just have had something on my mind...and if I do not post it soon...I WILL EXPLODE!!!!



The WWE has announced with Jenny McCarthy that they will be hosting a Saturday Night Main Event on August 2, 2008...for Generation Rescue. You know, the Generation Rescue that states all of the bad things in immunizations cause Autism.....



Okay...here is my problem....



1st-Brittainy Spears is in attendance at the fund raiser....looking very healthy. Today I see her on the front page of AOL smoking a cigarette in the presence of her children. If you look up the ingredients in a ciggie....it has similar chemicals as a friggin shot....are you kidding me?

2nd-Steroids shot up or ingested by these wrestlers....'nuff said on that one.

3rd-Rose McGowan and Robert Rodriguez...the epitome of indescretion.

4th-can we say Silicone Implants deluxe at the Generation soiree? These have to do some kind of damage.



We have a group of "informed" individuals, raising money for a group who is so anti-vaccine and anti-vaccine ingredients that they cannot see what is sitting right before them....Toxin City.



If I was going to pick a group to represent my organization and Autism...this WOULD NOT be the group....



Okay, now my mind is clear...Thanks!





Oh, I just want to give a huge Thank you to the reader from Murrieta, Ca....hugs from me.

WORDS UNSPOKEN...

All day today, our youngest son, Kiernan, has been babbling. Not true words, but babbling. "Dadadadada, Mamamamama, aaayeeee, bababababa....."

I have not one idea of what he is trying to tell us...I just know it is very important to Kiernan and I hang on every "word".

This is my translation...

"Okay Mama, I am tired of being home for days with these loud people. School starts on Monday and you better have me ready for the bus."
" Oh, and tell Daddy "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" for me tomorrow...k?" "Are we going to have the cake with sprinkles?"..."Daddy likes that type of cake".

Okay Kiernan...got it!

I WISH AMY WERE BACK IN AUSTIN....

....Cause I'm Missing Her Tonight....

Not the right words to the song, but she'll know what I mean.

My family was graced with the presence of an amazing young woman, for the
past year. She slowly and cautiously became a "huge" part of our family.

Even Caitlin, our most hardened critic, loves Amy....

Amy helped me periodically with my children, over the past year, while
waiting to graduate from the University Of Texas with HONORS, mind you.
She became an integral part of our very unique family, and she fit in just like
the "puzzle piece" we are supposed to represent.

Well, the inevitable happened.....last Thursday, Amy graduated.....

She is now living in Huntsville, Tx, soon to start her new job at a residential
facility for Autistic children and adults.
I would feel more anxious about her moving, but waiting for her in Huntsville is
a great young man who loves her very much. Even I cannot fault her for that....

So, Amy....We miss you and We love you....
I won't write any more, or Meaghan will ask me why I am crying!!!

LOVE YA...The O'Donnell Family

A BOY AND HIS DIVA...

Yes, that is correct, that is my little Wrestling-obsessed son with his very own Wrestling Diva.

Her name is Amy Dumas (she wrestled under the name of LITA) and she was playing a gig in Austin at my brother's club. She has a group now, THE LUCHAGORS, and my brother booked them last night.

My brother then arranged for my son, the world's foremost authority on Wrestling, to meet Ms. Dumas.

Of course my son, Mr. Chatty Man, was close-lipped and very shy....

Today, all we heard about was LITA this and LITA that....

Little Pat listened to every song on the CD she gave him and signed for him, except the songs with the "b" word....he is very anti-cursing. I raised such a good little boy.

A big "cyber-hug" to Ms. Amy Dumas....you made one little boy a very happy wrestling fan and an even more AMY DUMAS fan....Thanks.

INDEPENDENCE DAY....

Happy 4th of July...Independence Day....

We celebrate this holiday in America...it is the day the US gained their
Independence following the Revolutionary War.
We live in the greatest Country in the World. We have the rights so many
others will never know. We have the ability to go so far...that includes
our children.
Our children are very lucky to have been born in America. They have the
ability to get an incredible education, invaluable therapies and the choices
of some of the greatest doctors in the world. Nothing in America will hold
our children back.
Autistic children in other countries are not so lucky. They are given up on
from the moment they are diagnosed. Some are deemed undesireable and
put away.
How lucky we, as American's are, to be able to educate our children with
Autism and show the world how amazing they truly are.

Independence also means the ability to teach our children how to do things
so eventually they can grow up and be more independent. That is the goal
in our home. To teach our children how to be responsible and able to eventually
maintain an independent lifestyle.

So, on this Independence Day 2008, I wish you all a HAPPY and SAFE
4th of July....

Our neighborhood parade is starting soon......HAPPY 4th.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS...

As I put Kiernan on his bus this morning, it reminded me of something.
Next year, our 8 year old son and our 10 year old daughter will not get
bus service from school.
You see, little Patrick and Erin have been "weaned" out of Special Education services.
That includes riding the "little bus".
The "little bus" does not bother us. On this bus is the safety away from the
cruel NT children who find it necessary to bully the ones who they feel are
less than themselves. But, in the long run, these NT children are the ones
who are far more disturbed than our children.

The young man, who last year felt it necessary to yell at Deirdre on the
Middle School bus. He has had a horrible life....his mother died of cancer,
his father wants nothing to do with him, and of course, he is being raised
by his Grandparent's...who cannot control him.
So, we are left to deal with him yelling at my daughter on the bus.
No....I did not take well to this.
I called the Principal of the school and stated..."You take care of this,
or I will"....
He took care of it.....

There is a stigma about riding "THE LITTLE BUS"....we have found nothing
but loving, nurturing persons driving and attending these smaller than average
buses.

We only have 2 on these buses now.....Caitlin and Kiernan. I assume they
will always ride them. That is okay with me.
Erin will ride the "regular" big bus to Middle School.....Deirdre will ride the
"regular" big bus to High School....Little Pat and Meaghan will walk to and from
school every day (with my supervision, of course).

I am very proud of my children for their accomplishments and their hard
work for overcoming alot of hardships. But, next time you decide to make
fun of "THE LITTLE BUS"...remember, I still have a couple who ride that
bus and they are pretty amazing children.

CLASS OF 1978

Back row: Doug, Tom, Mark, Chris, Bubba (Clarence), James
2nd row: Melody, Kim, Sandra, ME, Linda, Judy, Janie, Suzette, Allan
3rd row:Curtis, Susan, Lori, Connie, Linda, Sara, Larry, and Darlene

These are a few of the amazing people I went to school with from the
6th grade until I graduated 12th grade.
We were a strong class and I consider them all my friends
to this day.

I was very quiet up until my Senior Year of high school...hard
to believe, but very true. I was a shy, unsure, insecure young
girl. I went through green glasses and braces, I was a fashion
maven, even at that age.
I went through a bout with Anorexia Nervosa and had to be
hospitalized through the Summer. These wonderful people
made sure when I returned to school that fall, that I was not
judged or teased.

I made sure at this class reunion to tell all of them that I LOVE them
and that they meant the world to me. I thanked them all for
standing by me and my family these past 2 years. They were all
so proud of me when we received the home makeover.

I had a blast this past weekend. We all have aged a bit...but, when
I look into their eyes, I see the beautiful young people I grew up with.
I am so lucky that I was blessed with these people.