Roll With It

Thanks to Jenny McCarthy and Oprah, there has been much media coverage on the link between diet and the symptoms of Autism.   Wisconsin mom, Margie Reichwald, has developed a cookbook for children who have Autism with recipes that are gluten, casein (dairy) and soy free and that have helped her son tremendously!  Here is a link to Margie's inspiring segment on the Morning Blend.  Margie says, "While my son is not cured of Autism, a cloud has lifted and he is on the path to recovery.  His journey with Autism is a lot less of a struggle since we removed the allergens from his diet."  I got a lump in my throat when Margie talked about the first time her son touched her cheek lovingly and said, "Mommy".  Anything with the potential to ease the struggles of a child with a disability is welcome in my book!  Thank you Margie!   Click HERE for information on Margie's cookbook, "Autism: A Path to Recovery - A tried and True Gluten/Casein/Soy Free Cookbook".

AND for even more info on the link between Autism and diet: 

This Wednesday on October 15th at 6:00, there will be a panel discussion on the Feingold Diet, as well as gluten, casein and soy free diets at the Parent's Place, 1570 E. Moreland Blvd., in Waukesha.  Meg McKenna, co-founder of Milwaukee Moms.com and fellow blogger, is leading the discussion.  Please call the Parent's Place to make a reservation: 262-549-5575.

Information is power and the more informed we are the better we can help our kids! 

In this crazy economic situation, I believe that we need to take time to slow down, ENJOY LIFE and not get stressed over things we can't control.  Breathe.  Judy Winter has started a Seven Days of Simple Pleasures series and has invited others to join her on this week of recording the simple pleasures in life. So, here I go and please share your simple pleasures as well!

Our family went to Veterans Park today.  The lakefront was spectacular and I was reminded of how much I really really love living here.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day in our city.  The sun was shining, the lake glistened and people were hiking, biking, roller blading and playing ball. 

We flew a kite and then walked about eight miles total on a part of the Oak Leaf Trail along the lakefront, past the wedding parties at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, Summerfest grounds with a detour to the Milwaukee Public Market where we stopped for brownies, coffee and a Mexican Orange Soda for Andrew.  The miles upon miles of paved pathways allow wheelchair users to enjoy a good hike along with the numerous curb cut-a-ways that make navigating a wheelchair in this city a breeze.  Our simple pleasure for today was to simply enjoy our great city of Milwaukee.

Every Sunday night Andrew, my husband and I gather our supplies; a big bowl of popcorn, a box of tissues and pen and paper for accessibility design notes. All of this is in preparation for our favorite show, Extreme Home Makeover.  No other show has done more to shed a positive and productive light on so many different kinds of disabilities and medical conditions; ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, blindness, cancer, muscular dystrophy, spina fida and the list goes on.   

We love this show and last night's episode did not disappoint us.  The Akers family, of Westchester, Ohio, have three children. A son, who has Chrohn's disease and two daughters with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which can be very painful.  The two girls both use wheelchairs.  This family is a true inspiration in perseverance and fortitude.  In particular, 8 -year -old Brooke Akers, had this to say, "If you always look at the bright side, it can change your life."  Now, that is an attitude for all of us to emulate. 

In my last blog entry,  I told you about Judy Winter author, speaker, photographer and advocate for people with disabilities. She is also a BIG Extreme Home Makeover fan for much of the same reasons that I am.  Check out Judy's personal photographs on her Winter Ramblings blog from an EHM build near her home in Michigan this week.  She really picks up on the spirit and energy of the design team and everyone else involved in the build. 

And if you are still in need of an inspiring pick-me-up, check out what twelve-year-old John Thomas Robertson is doing for kids in need.  This cool kid, who is a train lover and believes that ALL people should be able to enjoy the historic trains in his hometown, wants to make the trains wheelchair accessible for his friends with disabilities. He will now get his chance with the help of Ty Pennington and the EHM crew.  Enjoy and get inspired!