Son-rise therapy training fundraising
I'm raising money to go to further training for a new Autism therapy in NOVEMBER. Son-rise therapy was developed by The Autism Treatment Centers of America, and is a loving and effective way to bring those with Autism from their world to ours. I need about $1500 to cover the cost of tuition and travel (the training takes place on the east coast near Boston). The amount that I am able to spend for tuition covers families in greater financial need, and pays for my food and board for an entire week. I greatly appreciate any help that can be given!
And for more information about Son-rise therapy, please visit http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/
Here's a little blurb I wrote as a guest post on my Son-rise family's blog! You can check out the blog at www.takesatown.com
" As I'm sitting here watching Filbert play, I can feel my heart swell up with love and awe at this little boy who I've really only known for a short amount of time. In 6 short months, I've watched him grow dramatically socially, verbally, and cognitively. I have had the great privilege to witness new words being said, new sentences uttered, questions asked and questions answered, and have caught brilliant glimpses into Filbert's magical world. He is one of the sweetest children I've ever met, and easily one of the funniest. I can think back with joy on moments when I feel like Filbert fully came out of his world for a few moments and stepped into ours, like the time he very clearly told me that he thought eating peanut butter with apples was "Ewww!" and the times he laughingly told me to sit on the celling, knowing very well it was impossible. There have been incredible games played, and sugar-sweet moments of hugs and kisses.
But Son-Rise therapy is inadvertently much more than simply helping an autistic child to improve in certain tasks or areas. It is an amazing journey for not only the child, but for everyone involved in his life. The playroom is a place where we must challenge ourselves; a challenge that for most is the greatest challenge they will probably ever overcome. It is a challenge of our beliefs and assumptions about ourselves, the child in front of us, and anyone else we ever meet in life. The playroom is a place where you must challenge yourself to let go of any preconceived notions about children in general, and look at them (and inadvertently everyone) with new eyes. I thought I loved kids before I was introduced to Son-Rise, but I have since gained new vision, and now I am so thankful that I have eyes to really see them for who they are, and ears to hear the brilliance that they speak, if we are only willing to really listen. This Son-Rise family's entire home is a place where I can let down all of my walls, because through their experience with Filbert, they are able to let go of judgments and assumptions and just accept people as they are.
To think this way is an incredibly freeing experience, and is improving my relationships with everyone in my life. I have found myself utilizing Son-Rise attitudes and techniques with others outside of the playroom, and have had much success with their responses to me and their willingness to work in harmony with me. I no longer feel a strong desire to judge my own thoughts and behaviors; instead I simply explore the belief behind the thought and if I deem it worthy of change, I just simply change it. It has been a lovely process of simplifying and freeing my life, all because a sweet little boy was born with Autism.
Filbert is changing my life. Every time I look into those big handsome green eyes all I see is love. He doesn't care if decided not to shower that day, or if I'm not caught up on the latest fashions. He doesn't care about my past, and I feel as though he understands and accepts me more than I accept and understand myself. He lives completely in the moment and loves with his whole being, and is teaching me more about life than I'm teaching him. My time with Filbert is absolutely beautiful, and if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing."
