14 December 2006

UK Autism Exchange

Through the darkest months I have had help and reassurance from a wonderful woman, Kate, who has built me up and helped me stick to my guns, all by telephone and at some pretty strange hours.

The woman is a life-saver.

Now she and a likeminded friend, whom she met on a training course run by the National Autistic Society, have set up the Autism Exchange - a forum and depository for useful info and articles on parenting a child on the autistic spectrum.

Its brand new, but if it reflects her warm heart and intelligent mind its going to blossom and become a huge force for good.

So, if you are one of my friends with the spectrum in the family, then please get on over there, swell the numbers and say your piece.
And pass the word.

Thanks!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

That will be my next stop. Cheers

Anonymous said...

On my way...

Jo said...

I'm there too.

Cheryl, I didn't know. How did I miss this?

Jo

Anonymous said...

This seems like a close cousin to the venerable UK Samaritans organization which operates 365/24/7 telephone hotlines for suicide prevention.

http://www.samaritans.org.uk/

Cheryl said...

Dear anonymous - if you mean its just as useful, thats good, but I cant see a likeness in purpose or website layout.

Jo - I hide my stuff on another blog - see profile, but all my dark days are caused by the LEA. Off to tribunal tomorrow so I deliberately stopped posting for a while.

Cheryl said...

Doh that would be Monday.
See? Brain fried before I even get there.

fineartist said...

I'm so glad to see your type written words. Ginormous hugs, and strength to you.

I'm on it, the site, or going to get on it anyway...

I found out Wednesday that one of my students has been recently diagnosed with a form of autism. He's sixteen and no one realized it until now. He's a wonderful kid, extremely unique, artistically talented, manages to get his stuff done in half the time as the other kids, blows my mind, and I really have to work to stay ahead of him, but I'm on it, you know I am.

Anyway, so glad you're back and now I'm going in to read to see what I can find for my little dude, xx, Lori

Anonymous said...

Doh, I should have looked at your other blog hon, though I note that you're not posting much on it recently.

I hope you're most recent battles (yesterday?) with LEA were succesful. Thinking of you.

Jennifer said...

Good on you, for spreading to word. And good luck with the LEA, and all the rest. Hugs

beckyboop said...

How wonderful being able to exchange ideas. My neighbor's child is Autistic. I know she and her son have faced many challenges. They have also overcome many. She is now president of "Families Together", a non-profit organization that helps families with disabled children. She has a wealth of resourses available for familes in the U.S. I'll share the website. She may be able to offer advice as well as receiving it.

Anonymous said...

Great stuff, Cheryl - have passed it on to friends who I know could do with the support.

Strength and love to you in your battles. And a big feathery hug.

Jo said...

Cheryl hon...I can't find your email address.

You remember Minerva at http://womanlyparts.blogspot.com? I'm sure you used to look in and post. She had breast cancer, bravely fought it and won.

The cancer's back. The news is not good. I'm trying to get in touch with everyone on the blogosphere that I know (who may not see my post about this on my blog) and ask them to get over to her site and just say something kind. I'd like to smoother her in love and support at this dreadful time for her...And the news came just before Christmas too.

And if anyone else reads this (hope you don't mind me co-opting your blog here Cheryl hon!), do please go over to Minerva's site and tell her that you're thinking of her...

Jennifer said...

Merry Christmas, Cheryl!

fineartist said...

I miss you.

Now don't feel like you have to comment on my blog because I said that, you rest, hybernate all you need to, but I miss you.

That's all.

Anonymous said...

Did you see 'After Thomas' last night on TV hon. I bet you did. Really good.

Sassy said...

Hi Cheryl! Hope you had a good Christmas, and I wish you a wonderful New Year!

Anonymous said...

Hi again (God I wish I had your email!!! - you coudn't drop me an email with it could you Cheryl?) Forgive me, hon, I deleted that post of mine on my 'alternative' blog. You see I didn't think anyone would read it - or that anyone was still going there - I just felt I needed to vent and write something somewhere. But I re-read it today and, as I knew I would, I felt ashamed of it, so I removed it. Alas your comment went too.

Kind of you to offer your thoughts though. As ever. Just didn't want you to think 'How rude!' Miss you.