A sensory gym for those with autism
Donation protected
At age 27 I was teaching kids with autism in Southern California. That is when I met my son. I did not know that I moved from my home state of Pennsylvania all the way to California to adopt a child with autism. I thought I was here to be an actress! But when I met Big Mike, I learned otherwise.
Some years have passed, and now Big Mike is almost 27!! He has been in my life for 15 years. Once my student (and a very frustrating one!), Mike now lives at home with me as my son (still frustrating sometimes!!). And now that I know my true purpose in life, the universe has given me some great acting opportunities as well. I have been blessed with some wonderful things in my life.
What I have not been blessed with (yet) is the capital I need to start an amazing sensory gym for all kids, young adults, and kids at heart. Through a friend, I discovered a new type of gym, one where those with autism aren't in the way! Where the equipment is built just for them! And what is also amazing is that my son--my 26 year old, 6'6", 260 lb. son with autism is welcome and is free to play on everything!!!
What is not so amazing us that only 1 exists IN THE WHOLE WORLD. There are several "We Rock the Spectrum" gyms (that's the name!) in southern California and a few in other states. But this is the ONLY ONE that services teens and adults as well as kids.
Do you know what happens to all those awesome kids with autism when they grow up?? Many of their services go away! They have no place to hang out, go out, work out...etc! Did I mention that the gym will be arts based, offering acting classes, music classes, movement classes and arts&crafts classes?? As a certified special ed teacher with a Master of Arts in teaching,
I will also offer social skills classes and others as needed by those I am servicing.
There are many people out there who need your help more than me and my son. And that almost kept me from trying to raise this money. But then I remembered how exhilarating it is to be at the gym and see the kids doing their thing so freely. I remember how happy every parent is when I tell them that this gym exists. But there is only one. And we need more. So I am asking. If this is something you are passionate about--please help. I am so excited to bring this gym to those who need it.
Thanks for your consideration!
Trish and Big Mike
Some years have passed, and now Big Mike is almost 27!! He has been in my life for 15 years. Once my student (and a very frustrating one!), Mike now lives at home with me as my son (still frustrating sometimes!!). And now that I know my true purpose in life, the universe has given me some great acting opportunities as well. I have been blessed with some wonderful things in my life.
What I have not been blessed with (yet) is the capital I need to start an amazing sensory gym for all kids, young adults, and kids at heart. Through a friend, I discovered a new type of gym, one where those with autism aren't in the way! Where the equipment is built just for them! And what is also amazing is that my son--my 26 year old, 6'6", 260 lb. son with autism is welcome and is free to play on everything!!!
What is not so amazing us that only 1 exists IN THE WHOLE WORLD. There are several "We Rock the Spectrum" gyms (that's the name!) in southern California and a few in other states. But this is the ONLY ONE that services teens and adults as well as kids.
Do you know what happens to all those awesome kids with autism when they grow up?? Many of their services go away! They have no place to hang out, go out, work out...etc! Did I mention that the gym will be arts based, offering acting classes, music classes, movement classes and arts&crafts classes?? As a certified special ed teacher with a Master of Arts in teaching,
I will also offer social skills classes and others as needed by those I am servicing.
There are many people out there who need your help more than me and my son. And that almost kept me from trying to raise this money. But then I remembered how exhilarating it is to be at the gym and see the kids doing their thing so freely. I remember how happy every parent is when I tell them that this gym exists. But there is only one. And we need more. So I am asking. If this is something you are passionate about--please help. I am so excited to bring this gym to those who need it.
Thanks for your consideration!
Trish and Big Mike
Organizer
Trisha Rae Stahl-Actress
Organizer
Pasadena, CA