Buddies For Autistic Kids

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I can't get over some of the wonderful, generous, loving people out in the world. Let me tell you about a special person that I have no affiliation with besides being the recipient of her generosity.

Mary Olson, a Scentsy Independent Consultant, has a facebook page called Buddies For Autistic Kids. I heard of her facebook page last summer just a few months after my son was diagnosed. Through her facebook page and party donations, she collects money to buy Scenty Buddies for Autistic children in the community and beyond.

What makes Scentsy Buddies so special? Many children with autism have sensory problems, including touch and smell. It is a lot better now, but when my son was first diagnosed, certain clothes and smells bothered him. These sensory problems could make him cry, whine, be naughty, run around and even scream. To this day, socks and the smell of hard boiled eggs bother him. :) There are a lot of scents that have a calming effect on him as well. That is why I think he has a fascination with smelling candles. :)

The Scentsy Buddies have different textures and scents that they have found autistic kids just love! The Scentsy Buddies are fragrant, cuddly companions. There is a lion, monkey, frog, elephant, pig, lamb, cat and dog. Each buddy features a zippered pocket in their back where a Scentsy Scent Pak is placed. There are 30 different Scentsy Scent Pak smells. The Scent Pak allows the Buddy to release a calming, wonderful fragrance. And they each have textured arms, legs and faces.

Just last month, my son received a Buddy for free thanks to the donation of 2 fabulous people! Taran just loves sweet Mollie the Monkey! I chose a lavender Scent Pak since that scent is associated with providing a wonderful calming affect.

When I see Taran resting and settling down in bed, Mollie is nestled right up to his nose.

What I would love to do this month since it is Autism Awareness Month is give back to Buddies for Autistic Kids! Many children are on the waiting list to receive a buddy just like Taran was. Day after day, families affected with autism are dealing with endless therapies, Dr. visits and bills...so something simple as a Buddy arriving at their door is a wonderful gift. And especially if it has a wonderful purpose dealing with sensory problems. Mollie the monkey was welcomed with open arms from this special little boy. She has become a favorite comfort toy.

For the month of April, all proceeds from Shaklee sales this month will be donated to the Buddies For Autistic Kids. This is in honor of my son and all the precious children that are affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Why not give the gift of health for you and your family while supporting this great organization?!

At Home With K Shaklee

Healthy Home

Healthy Nutrition

Healthy Beauty

Healthy Weight

Shaklee products are:

Nontoxic and safe

Earth friendly
100% guaranteed

Economical

Hypoallergenic

No animal testing

All Natural

And for a limited time only, you will receive a lifetime Shaklee membership FREE with the purchase of ANY Shaklee product!! A $19.95 value!

A Shaklee membership gives you 15% off all products for a lifetime! Plus there is an excellent referral program as well to help you get free products! This is an awesome deal, but only for a limited time.

Thank you for the support to this great cause!

World Autism Awareness Day

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Today is World Autism Awareness Day

In April, a year ago, my then 3 year old was diagnosed with Autism. You can read our story HERE.

Just last week the CDC (Center of Disease Control) came out with some updated statistics:

1 in 88 children has autism.

1 in 54 are boys.

4 years ago, it was 1 in 110 children.

In 1985, 1 in 2000 children were diagnosed with Autism.

My jaw drops...my heart breaks...when I see these numbers.

The billion dollar question is 'What is the cause?'

All I know is that my husband and I were not going to sit on the side lines and watch this diagnosis take over our son's life. From Day 1, we decided to fight this thing, no matter what.

For us that included:

 Speech, Occupational & Behavior Therapies

 A Special Diet

 Countless Supplements, Dr. Visits and Treatments that Insurance Does not cover...

Our Mama and Papa Bear roles are in full force and we have seen tremendous results!

This is my absolute favorite Autism video. I tear up every time I watch it. Even though each child's Autism is different, the parents of these special kiddos go through a lot of similar headaches, heartbreaks and trials. There's this inner strength that keeps us all going.

It's time to stand united and fight for our young generation. Support Autism Charities. Fight the people that are adding chemicals to our food, medicine and environment. My son was a healthy baby when he was born...and something happened in the meantime. I will continue to fight for my son. And I will continue to advocate a clean lifestyle to help protect other kiddos that are vulnerable to be on the autism spectrum.

1 in 54 boys are diagnosed with Autism

But

You, my sweet boy, you are one in a million.

25 Random Things.

1. I eat a gluten and dairy free diet because I feel so much better not eating the stuff. I have never had any testing done to prove any sensitivity. Just my choice.


2. I lost 10 pounds when I went dairy free. :)

3. I cheat sometimes and my body pays for it afterwards with a migraine or feeling very run down.

4. Autism has been a nightmare and a blessing.

5. It has opened our eyes to our own health.

6. ...And to Alternative Medicine. Our DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) Dr. is a saint! He has made wonderful things happen with our son.

7. The last few months has been a blast with our son. It's like meeting him for the first time. He's such a smart and beautiful little boy.

8. My hubby and I will fight to the very end for our little boy. No matter how hard and painful it is.

9. Or expensive it is...we spend an arm, a leg and a finger or 2 on supplements, Dr. and therapy visits.

10. But would do it in a heartbeat over and over again.

11. I love Christian Music. When our son was diagnosed, I want to push God away as far as I could. K-Love was there for me on the countless car rides to the Dr. and therapy visits when I felt so alone. I am forever grateful God stuck by me.

12. I also love talk radio. I remember my grandpa always listening to that junk on AM radio when I was little. Now I have turned into one of those people.

13. I'm a mini van mom now. LOL I used to make fun of you mini van driver moms! Now that I have one, I don't know how I could live without it! Opening the slide side doors with a push of a button is the best invention ever! :)

14. If I could work on crafts/my house all day, I would be a happy camper.

15. When I'm working on one project then the rest of the house becomes a disaster in a matter of seconds.

16. Do you think my hubby would get me a housekeeper so I can do my crafts? Yeah right...I know.

17. I wish I had the organizing gene in me.

18. I have spent the last few days organizing 8 years of art projects from my sons. What a mess! I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

19. I think I need to go to Pinterest Anonymous.

20. I can't stay away. But it takes me to a happy creative place.

21. Now I need to do just a small fraction of the 2100+ projects I have pinned. (You can follow me HERE!)

22. I'm getting the urge to pin...okay I just did, I feel better now.

23. I have project ADD. I start on something and then move on to the next and another and another without finishing. I have a few unfinished projects that need some addressing.

24. My hubby needs an award for dealing with my endless projects, thrift finds and wild ideas.

25. I'm extremely blessed with a beautiful family. I love my men to pieces.
Linking Up Perfectly Imperfect
and
Thanks to Because (I think) I Can for the Versatile Blogger Award!