Bloom falling off the yellow rose …

By Peggy | August 28, 2010 |

Texas faces an $18 billion deficit, and it is likely that some painful cuts will fall on the state’s most vulnerable — as if this state’s services for the aged and those with disabilities and special health care needs weren’t already starved for resources.

Here’s what could be lost, simply assuming the across-the-board 10 percent cut ordered by Gov. Perry:

Community Mental Health Services = $80 million
State Mental Health Hospital Services = $44 million
Children with Special Health Care Needs = $24 million
EMS Trauma = $23 million
Mental Health Crisis/Transitional Services = $10 million
Primary Care = $9 million
Immunizations = $8 million

Some of the beautiful people in Austin who remind the legislators to have a heart, and be smart, with our money, have organized a rally on the north steps of the capitol for 1 p.m. Sept. 1. For more information, call Dennis Borel or Chase Bearden at 512-478-3366 or e-mail: stoptexascuts@gmail.com.

Posted in adults with autism, hope, self-advocacy

Overheard in the Wolfe House #15

By Peggy | August 24, 2010 |

Peggy: So what do you think of this beautiful weather?
Sam: What do you mean? It’s the same.
Peggy: No, the 100s are gone. It’s beautiful out there.
Sam [stepping out on the porch and checking the thermometer]: My God, it’s a hurricane.

Posted in What Sam says

Lend your experience

By Peggy | August 23, 2010 |

Some of the best help a parent can get is from another, more experienced parent.

If you are like me, one of those more experienced parents, you might think you don’t have time to help. But you do.

There is some training involved, but it’s fun and chances are, you’ll learn a thing or two that helps your family. And then you pay it forward by providing support to another family — usually on the phone, or through e-mail.

If you’re ready to help, mark your calendar for Sept. 25, because that’s the next time Texas Parent to Parent will be in Dallas for parent volunteer training.

Here’s a little from their press release:

“We believe that support from other parents is the best way to assist a family on the journey of raising a child with special health care needs. The sharing of joy, frustration, and hope with another parent is one of the most powerful experiences a parent can receive. We’re looking for a few parents who are ready to share their time and their experience.

Do you know a family who would like to attend? Who are the parents who have made a difference in your life? Who has helped you along on your family’s journey?”

Call 1-866-896-6001 … and pass this on.

Posted in decision-making, health, hope

Billy Bob’s

By Peggy | August 21, 2010 |

Last year, Michael discovered that he could get into Billy Bob’s, Fort Worth’s famous honky tonk, on Thursday nights for free.

He and Sam went together this Thursday, sort of an end-of-summer celebration. Both start classes this week. They were lucky this time, Michael reports, because the cover band kept playing. At one point, they played a family favorite, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood.

Sam reports that he had fun and would like to go again soon. “People always have fun at Billy Bob’s,” he said. It took a while to figure out what was going on, he said. He danced with one girl.

Michael danced with the same girl.

Posted in adults with autism, social life, What Sam says

The Confundus charm

By Peggy | August 18, 2010 |

J.K. Rowling has a great mind, not just a great imagination. There is no antidote to a Confundus charm, only the strength of character that allows one to resist.

Or, as Epictetus said, “Only the educated are free.”

Posted in Uncategorized