First Virtual Meeting

Just finished chatting with Tammy Krassick, a health and wellness practioner in Escanaba who specializes in autism therapies from a natural perspective.  She was the only other person to log-in to our first virtual meeting via clobby, a chat application on Facebook.  Tammy has a 13 year old son who now has almost no autism.  To learn more about what you does in her practice, you can visit her website at http://healthinfo.vpweb.com/.

The chat format seemed to work fine.  I did hear from another mom who is interested in being able attend virtual meetings in the future if we can do so from the blog and bypass Facebook.  So I will look into that.  I'm also not entirely comfortable with the Facebook environment.

There's one more thing I had hoped to bring up at the virtual meeting, but didn't do to lack of local participants.  I talked to a member of the Marquette Access Group today.  There had been a movement to establish a "low tone zone" at the Fourth of July parade this year where those with hearing sensitivities could count on a less raucous noise level.  Unfortunately, the parade commission, though interested, didn't feel they could enforce the policy.  So not this year, but Marquette Access Group does want to try again for next year.  If this sounds like something you would like to get involved in to help make it happen, let me know.

Video games that help autistic kids

A co-worker clipped out the following article from USA today for me.  Thought it was facinating.  I know very little about video games, but this article has intrigued me. 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-31/video-games-autism-students/55319452/1

SEPAC Meeting and Family Support Network of Michigan

There will be a SEPAC meeting this Thursday evening, June 21 at MARESA.

I got the following information from Karin about this interesting traing aopportunity: 

Family Support Network of Michigan

Remember when your child was newly diagnosed?  Would it have helped to have someone to talk with who has "been there"?  If so, become a Support Parent.

In our free, interactive Support Parent training, learn afrom a fellow parent about:

• Parent-to parent support,
• communication skills,
• listening techniques,
• community resources, and more.

You'll become a FSN Support Parent-- a trained volunteer who gives one-to-one moral support and shares resources with fellow Michigan parents of children who have special needs.  You'll become part of our statewide "heart to Heart" network of parents supporting each other.

Support parent training in Escanaba
July 20-22, 2012
Peninsula Bay Inn
2603 N. Lincoln Rd.
Friday:  6:30-8:30 pm, Saturday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (breakfast and lunch inluded), Sunday 8:30-noon (breakfast included)
Lodging included, mileage and childcare reimbursed, onsite childcare included (with prior registration).  Space is limited to 25 registrants.  Register by June 29.
For more information, or to register, call Dianna on the CSHCS Family Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722.


I was really intrigued with this training opportunity, but will be out of state at that time.  I called the 800 number to see if the training might be available at other times and was directed to their online course:  http://training.mihealth.org/coursedetail.htm#cshcs .

Lakestate Industries Marquette project meeting

Cheryl of Lakestate Industires will be holding a meeting at Peter White Public Library on Wedensday July 11, 2012 1:00 PM Eastern Time.  Here's your chance to help bring this resource to Marquette. 

Action Day Conference-- Call for presenters

I got the following letter from Sarah at SAIL.  Please note the dates and pass on the word anyone you think will be interested in presenting or attending this event. 

Dear Prospective Presenter:

On September 20, 2012, SAIL is hosting the 9th Action Day Conference at Northern Michigan
University in Marquette, MI. Action Day 2012 is a conference for individuals with disabilities, their
families, guardians, advocates and professionals. In previous years, the conference attracted over 300 attendees from across the Upper Peninsula, with the number of attendees growing each year. Action Day is a U.P. wide conference that provides opportunities for education, socializing, networking, political activism, and personal growth geared specifically toward the disability community.

In addition, on September 19, 2012, we will be hosting the 3rd Walk & Roll fundraising event at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. Walk & Roll 2012 is an event to create awareness and  support for inclusive social and recreational activities in the U.P. community for people with disabilities. Participants raise $25 and enter by walking/rolling a ½ mile, 5K or 10K depending on their abilities in support of the SAIL
SPAR program.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 906-228-5574, toll free 1-800-379-7245 or e-mail: sarahp@upsail.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah

To register for each of these events, visit www.upsail.com/events.php for forms OR by call the SAIL office at 906-228-5744 or toll free 800-379-7245.