Light it Up Blue

The Things They Will Do!

I currently have 6 people from the hospital and the clinic campuses who are anxiously awaiting what the morning will bring.  IF they have the most money in their jar, they are going to be blued by me by 8 am.  They will wear their hair blue the entire day for Autism Awareness. The 2 little cuties plastered all over my blog are my friend Lisa's twins.  Gwen and Griffin will be four years old on 8/28/12. They are adorable and they both were diagnosed with Autism.  Lisa moved herself and the twins to the metro area to put the kids in a school that will help them with their struggles and also help them thrive with what they excel in.  Her husband Shawn is still living and working in the Falls. So when he has time off, he travels to see his family.

 

 

This past Fall I went and stayed with Lisa and helped take care of the kids while she worked.  Midnights nonetheless.  

 Yes, it was hard to be there for 3 days...I was exhausted.  Chasing after her two and Emmitt about wore me out.  I actually went to Target for toothbrushes since I forgot ours and people looked at me and these three kids in a cart like I had three heads.  But I just kept thinking...Lisa does this every day. She doesn't get a break. 

 The one thing that I noticed that pulled on my heart was that Lisa's kids, mainly Griff, did not know how to show any loving emotion to her.  It took me until the last night I was there to say anything about it to her.  I find myself begging for a moment without a one of my kids hanging on me, especially Emmitt. His is my spider monkey.  He clings, he crawls on my lap, he sleeps way too close and he is a little lover.  Don't get me wrong, I do love it, but sometimes you want to be left untouched.  Where Lisa has to ask her kids to give her a hug or a kiss.  She cannot simply grab them and love on them without getting a push back or a "you are in my bubble, mom" look.  Well it wasn't until later this winter that Lisa posts on her Facebook status that Griff came up to her and hugged and kissed her without her asking!  I simply told her..."melt".  And she "liked" it!   I bawled after that...and still thank God every day that I have little, loving, clinging, momma's boys that are busy, healthy, happy and wild!

 

 So...this is the reason for the following...

April is National Autism Awareness Month

Join Autism Speaks in celebrating World Autism Awareness and Light It Up Blue to help shine a light on autism. The whole world is going blue to increase awareness about autism.

Light It Up Blue, in its third year, is a unique global initiative to help raise awareness about the growing public health concern that is autism. Iconic landmarks around the world will Light It Up Blue to show their support.

Join us now and help shine a light on autism.

There are 6 individuals who have volunteered to “go blue” for Autism Awareness.

There will be 6 jars available and the person who has collected the most money will have their hair painted blue Friday morning (4-6-12) and must wear their hair all day painted this wonderful shade of blue.  We have 3 volunteers from the Clinic campus and 3 volunteers from the Hospital campus.  If you would like to donate money you can write a check out to:  United for Autism & request what jar the money will go in or simply put your cash in the jar for that person. 

Donation  poster/jars are located in the stockroom with Becky Olson at the Hospital Campus and by Robyn Pelowski’s desk at the Clinic Campus.
Listed below are the 6 volunteers

Clinic

Dr. Stone

Dr. Heuer

Robyn Pelowski

Hospital

Margaret Hyatt

Brian Mathews

Laurie Whitfield-Trautlein

Thank you in advance for your contribution!

http://www.lightitupblue.org/Markslist/home.do

 Lisa is one heck of a woman...she doesn't feel strong, but daily somebody tells her she is and that she is a great mom...which she is. She is so very brave for taking this leap with her kids and putting them first.  It's hard on everybody around her.  She left her family, friends, house, job, and put her kids and their health at the top of her list. She is organized, emotional, tenderhearted, strong willed and AMAZING!

This is the least I can do for you Lisa!  I love you and those sweethearts of yours.  And Shawn-O too!