Tag Archives: book

Of Reaching the Top With A Grateful Heart

Fun-freakin’-tastic! Everything is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!  Amidst my broken foot, I was totally overjoyed by the good news that my new book brings.  Yes, I made it to the #1 Bestseller in 3 categories on Amazon.ca and #1 International Bestseller on Amazon.com—I would never reach this far without the help and support from family, friends, and people whose lives have been touched by autism.

It’s been a long journey, one that made me grow to be a much better and more grateful person along the way. From writing my book to the hectic days filled with promotions and launches, I was astounded at the capability of people to offer help and support in any way they can to uplift my spirit, to push me to the right direction, to encourage me in my quest of reaching the Bestsellers List, and to propel me to the top.

From emails, phone calls to private messages, there was nary a day passed by that family, friends, autism communities and acquaintances offered the sustenance I need to be hopeful and to maintain a positive mindset. When I reached the #1 Bestsellers List on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com, I could not help but shed tears of joy while my son, Johnny, engulfed me in a big giant hug.  He must have understood what I felt right at that moment as he was also misty-eyed and had this huge smile plastered on his handsome face.

There was one glitch during my Amazon book launch though, and that is they failed to place me on the most important category of all—Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.  But all’s well that ends well.  I wrote to them and the company responded accordingly.  Basically, people searching for books on autism and Asperger’s can now see me on their list, and that’s one thorn plucked from my chest.

To the very people who continually give their support, wisdom, expertise, and thoughtfulness, it is important for you to know that I have come this far because of you.  To those who bought my book (even at full price!), my respect and gratitude for the love and care this action brings. My journey to reaching the top was, indeed, toilsome with potholes along the way but being surrounded by such a loving and supportive circle truly made the difference.

I humbly request that you share my book to your friends and family who needed hope and encouragement on what they maybe going through right now.  This book is meant to spread awareness and acceptance of Autism as well as in keeping up the faith in facing life’s greatest tribulations, head-on.  Let this become your anchor, your guide, and your sustenance when things seem to go haywire.

Going forward, please share to all families you know who are dealing with autism my FREE website www.livingautismnow.com.  This particular website is growing globally with the intention of helping families struggling with autism. Every cent from my book has been going to develop and run it.

From the bottom of my heart, my sincerest and warmest gratitude. You are awesome!

CACI: A Circle of Love and Support

One of the hardest struggles of autism is finding a community that supports its intricacies. Life with autism can be a tough one, often leaving many families on their toes. We all know that amidst the rising numbers of autism cases across the globe, there are still communities out there who chose to turn a cold cheek on families who needed their support and understanding the most.

I am, however, lucky to have found a compassionate and supportive community of like-minded people whose core values revolved around uplifting families, parents, and siblings battling not just autism but a plethora of neurological disorders. The Community Autism Centre Inc. or CACI is a community-based non-profit centre offering support for families, parents, and siblings such as resource information, music programs, educational programs, social skills group, training and advocacy, workshops and mini-workshops, and (yes!) consultation for adult support.

I was hosted by CACI one night and had tremendously enjoyed the time spent with them talking about my family’s journey and my own journey with autism. I presented my book (Living Autism Day.by.Day) to them, too, and the overwhelming support from these people truly tugged at my heartstrings. Like me, they also undergo the same rollercoaster ride with autism and hearing them share their experiences was enlightening and inspiring. It made me feel like having an extended family to reach out to, to hold on to when the going gets tough, and to laugh with on certain encounters that bring tears of joy to the eyes.

Feel free to check out their Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/cacisaintjohn/ – for more information, and on November 29th at 7pm at the Buccaneers Pub on 24 Main St. West, CACI will be holding its Steak N Stein dinner and live auction extravaganza. Tickets are at $25 with the proceeds going directly to the CACI community of support. Mark your calendar, folks!

How Temple Grandin Inspired Me to Move Forward

There comes a point in our lives where we felt so much is happening at the same time. Publishing my own book, for instance, is one rollercoaster ride.  Apart from the excitement and chaotic schedule to keep up with, there is nothing more thrilling than receiving that one phone call that says it all—a call from Temple Grandin.  Yes! Dr. Grandin!

Dr. Grandin is a renowned name in the realm of Autism Spectrum Disorder.  She is a professor, inventor, best-selling author, and rock star rolled-into-one in the seemingly divergent fields of animal science and Autism education.  She was also featured in the award-winning 2010 biographical film, and was listed in the Time 100 Most InfluentialDr. Grandin is a renowned name in the realm of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is a professor, inventor, best-selling author, and rock star rolled-into-one in the seemingly divergent fields of animal science and Autism education. People in the World in its Heroes Category.  A world-renown expert and resource person for ASDs, and a famous author of various books including The Autistic Brain, a personal call from her in my own home left me panting for breath (literally!) due to too much excitement and glee.  Add her personal endorsement on my book, which states– “Living autism day.by.day will help parents to persevere and meet the challenges of raising a child with severe autism” — and I was literally swept off my feet!  It was a defining moment for me, one that I’ll surely cherish for a lifetime.

As a parent advocate and go-to Autism mom, I know how my wise advice, knowledge, expertise and hands-on experience on raising a child with autism can reach a wide number of families out there in times when they are struggling on what needs to be done and how to do it to keep their minds and emotions on the level just as the struggle seem to engulf them in a deep abyss. With two of my children having special needs (John, my youngest son, has Autism), I know what it feels to be alone in a room full of people and you felt like screaming so they will understand what you’re going through.  I know what it feels like to find yourself immersed in strings upon strings of questions with no ready answer at hand.  I know how it feels to be lost and hoping to be found. My book deals mostly on:

  • what is offered in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders for services and professionals…
  • what everything means that you will hear about in the world of autism…
  • what types of feelings, emotions and issues you will deal with on a personal level as a parent or caregiver…

I was often told that I have the gift of story-telling and a deep sense of compassion and understanding, and that is precisely where my book got its inspiration.  It is meant to provide answers.  It is designed to give a reader hope and deep sense of understanding, on a personal level, from someone who is just like you, undergoing the same woes, joys, grief, delight, and mixed euphoria on the often-isolated and often-misunderstood life with autism.

Like everyone else, I too lived through the same fears, agony, and joys that this wonder-rific world of Autism brings.  I am neither a doctor nor a therapist, but as a parent to a child with Autism, I know that often, the most insights your family needs can come from another parent’s heart.  Yes, my book is written from the bottom of my heart and crafted out of my sincere intention to reach out to parents, mothers and fathers alike, caregivers, family, and close friends who find themselves engulfed in a new set of emotional roller coaster ride with Autism.

With the encouragement from Dr. Temple Grandin, the support of my dear family and friends, and the help of my publisher, Freedom Abound Press, “Living Autism Day By Day” has become quite an indispensable reference on all things one wants to know about autism.  Concisely formatted on a daily basis, it is meant to fit to your hectic life and increase your level of awareness, emotional sensitivity, practical mindset, and yes, good humor.

Do feel free to check out snippets from my book via my website– http://livingautismnow.com/book/.  You may also buy it here: http://livingautismnow.com/buy-now/.  For discounted BULK orders, simply call Freedom Abound Press at 506.471.7440 or send us a note at info@LivingAutismNow.com.

Writing this book and knowing that I am able to help a lot of parents, caregivers, families and friends out there deal with Autism truly put me in high spirits.  It is one thing to experience it all, and another to be able to let somebody in on how I was able to get through it all, and still come out ecstatic, jovial and whole.