Miracle Maker

     So..... I have been putting off this post because I knew it would be long and elaborate. I don't have time for long and elaborate.  But, here I am making it more long and elaborate.

Here is the story about a super, awesome, generous, courageous fellow. His name is Michael Miller.  Or to us folks in the autism community Michael AutismSanta Miller.

Autimism: A “New” Toy Story

By Michael ‘Autism Santa’ Miller 

Hello everyone. Hope you don’t mind a story. As you can see I am Michael Miller, my alternate “ego” is Autism Santa. I started a page on Facebook last July called Toys AUcross America. My son and I send toys all across the USA to children on the Autism Spectrum. Just to put a smile on their face, if only for a minute, an hour, a day or a lifetime.

It all started with a simple post on Facebook in an Autism support group “World of Autism-Making it a Positive One”. I offered to mail a couple Thomas trains or Disney Cars to a few children of parents of the group. I thought it would be “Cool” for them to get a package in the mail. My son had collected (or I collected still not sure who’s obsession it was) a large number of both CARS and Thomas trains. Now that his new obsessions are strictly “electric” poor Thomas and McQueen were wasting away in our boiler room. The response to the post was a little overwhelming and I found my self constantly looking up the post and going in order and mailing trains and cars, probably a package a day for a couple weeks. Which was suppose to be a package a week, don’t tell my wife. I got tired of looking up the post and contacting everyone for addresses so I decided to make a “Toys” page.

We needed a name. My wife suggested Toys Around the World. I thought that was fabulous but “world” was not going to happen for financial reasons. So I changed it to Toys Across America. Then added the AUcross to get the Autism in there. That way everyone who was interested could come to the page and we could get the info and such. Well it was very popular and we got bombarded with requests the first couple months. The only thing we asked for in return was a picture of the child with the gift for the page. A lot of the parents wanted to see the smiles we were delivering.

Soon my sons toys were gone and my money was gone. We had to do something to keep it going and luckily crowd funding was just taking off so I created a donations page. Soon we were getting donations from members of the Autism community. The community as a whole began to rise up around us. I had a frequent saying, “Hey, I’m just a dad mailing trains”, because everyone kept praising what we were doing and I guess I wasn’t used to the accolades. Even boxes of toys were sent to us. Two High School girls in Ohio did a toy drive, we had sent one of the girls a Barbie, to the tune of about 75 new toys that arrived at our home shortly before Christmas. We got cars and such from 2 boys both under the age of 7. They gathered up their toys and shipped them to us. We even got financial donations from foreign countries even though we were only doing the USA. We got donations from Australia, New Zealand, UK, Japan, Israel and Singapore. So we kept finding kids to mail toys too. At first it was in fact “Cool” just to get a package in the child’s name. Some of the pictures we received the children had the biggest smiles on their faces and they did not even know what was inside the box. I realized the gift inside was going to have to be just as “Cool”. So we started asking what each child likes as far as a toy goes and we try and send the “perfect” gift.Which led to more smiles and more accolades.  Hey like I said “I’m just a dad mailing trains.”

To date we have sent out over 650 toys/gifts, we have mailed at least 1 gift to all 50 States a few to Canada and 2 to Puerto Rico. We recently started a 2nd fund “Toys AUcross America” iPad fund. Every time we raise $350 we are going to purchase an iPad mini and give it to a child on the Spectrum. We have gifted 2 iPads so far and coincidentally we are giving one away tomorrow. Also I have managed to get a few weighted blankets donated to the page and have been giving them away as well.

The stories I have received in return for a slight gesture have been extraordinary. From children “talking” when they open their gift, sleeping with their gift, traveling everywhere with it. One boy we sent Yu GI OH cards too joined a Yu GI Oh club and made a whole group of friends and recently attended a convention, mom gives us all the credit. I have managed to bring a community or as one mom said “a country” together.

This is the story of Toys AUcross America and how I became known as Autism Santa:

A simple offer from a Dad.
A toy or two that his son had.
A simple gesture from a son.
To let them go one by one.
A simple smile from a child.
To make this thing go wild.

Ho, ho, hope! Autism Santa

**Michael Miller is the operator and founder of Toys AUcross America. Along with his son they send toys to children on the Autism Spectrum all across the USA. He has taken on the nickname “Autism Santa” and has written several poems under this pen name.

Along with doing this he has also partnered with Kulturecity. He has set up a fundraiser called Wizard Talk.

Here is the info about the fundraiser.

Welcome to "Wizard Talk" a Kulturecity Project. This project is open to US residents only. The group goal of WT* is to equip families within the Autism community with iPad minis by crowdfunding. It's a revolutionary concept, "Crowd funding for the Crowd". Every time the total increases by $300 a family within the crowd receives an iPad mini. The minis are awarded based on who has raised the most funds. To sign up visit the event page https://www.classy.org/events/wizard-talk/e37067 and select "Become a Fundraiser". Sign in through Facebook. You have to name your fundraiser. Example "My child's iPad mini fundraiser" but be creative, a name alone can increase donations. Select a unique URL, this is just tech talk for a link straight to your fundraising page. Your link will be www.stayclassy.org/(what ever you choose). You can then post the link anywhere on the net to fundraise. All donations go through Kulturecity.org a registered 501c3, all donations are tax deductible. The individual goal is for you to push your fundraiser out through social media and get other people to donate. Climb that list! Make sure they donate to your individual fundraiser not the general Wizard Talk portion, that is why you should post your "Link". Good luck. **It is the intention that Wizard Talk be used only for members within the Autism Community.

This fundraiser is special because it gives kids a voice and many other learning capabilities. I setup my fundraiser and within 2-3 days after I went public, my son was granted an ipad.

Here's a link to my fundraiser. Ipad fundraiser

Here's a link to the facebook page 

Here's a link to Toys Aucross America facebook page

He recently tweeted this out to the news :  

Since 9/6 Melrose dad has helped raise $9,762 for an iPad project. He has donated 32 iPads to Autism families. Is this news worthy?

I hope his story gets aired!

SHARE THIS POST.....LET'S GET THE MESSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE OUT THERE. MICHAEL DESERVES RECOGNITION FOR SUCH AN AMAZING EFFORT!

This isn't the last you'll be hearing about Kulturecity and Toys Aucross America.  There is A LOT more to tell.

As for us...  We stand with Kulturecity!

A step forward

So Arwen was accepted into a social group that was supposed to be 6 years and up.  they kindly made an exception for her at the request of her therapist.  I had a conflict however.  I had to rearrange our schedule completely. Both, Arwen and Rowan have speech therapy on Mondays.  The people at Northwest Ohio Speech, Language, And Rehabilitation Services aka NOSLARS  really went out of their way to help me fit therapy into my already crazy schedule. I am so grateful for all the help that we are getting.
My husband was stuck on a call at work and arrived home late on Monday.  This made us 10 minutes late for the Social group.  I was already pretty nervous about that. I crept in and took a seat.  Luckily they hadn't started the session.  There was a mixup and some other folks were also late.

They split the kids up into their groups and the parents into a group. I was actually very nervous and excited.  It was so wonderful to meet other parents with Au-some children.  I think I need this.  I really look forward to getting to know them. We can learn from each other.  I am already a part of an online social group.  I spend more time talking with them than my own friends.
Anway we did our introductions in the Social group.
This nearly broke me.  I was ready to start bawling. The heat filled my face....I was flushed and my emotions were ready to boil over.  Somehow I maintained my composure.  Thank goodness.  I feel foolish crying.
What caused this? you might ask..
The stories they told.  The way their children are treated by others.  The laughing, pointing......the inability to make friends. ....the desperation and sadness.

Is this what I have to look forward to????

I see everything in a different light.  Thinking about the future is painful.  So I will settle for right now.  I'll cherish the precious moments that I have.  I will give love as much as I can.  I'll help others.

They have made me a better person.


I left that meeting feeling great.  Arwen had a great time in her group.  I am so happy to think that maybe I can connect with someone who understands.

The bus...

We have anxiously awaited Arwen's first day on the school bus.  She has talked about it for a week!  Today was the day!  We were ready!  There was a 2 hour delay today.  We were outside before the scheduled time. We waited happily.  ...........and we waited........counting the minutes.......the time came and went.  That was ok...they had to work her in.  We waited....21 minutes later....I call.....i was watching Rowan through the window laying on the couch watching tv.....waited.....
I was on the phone for 30 minutes.  We waited outside for nearly an hour. The bus never came.  they finally radioed the driver and discovered that she had never gotten the information. !!!!!!!!!! :/
At this point, Arwen was going to be late for school.She was trying to play in the dirt.  She was restless.  We had to rush in and wash her hands.  They apologized and assured me that the matter was resolved and that the bus would bring her home today.  I am understanding of these things.  During the call....Rowan peed on the floor.  I had to rush and get him ready to go ...to take Arwen to school.  While driving, I called the school and explained why she was late.  I also had to walk her to class and interrupt to tell them what was going on.

Also...this morning I had Rowan in his underwear. I smelled something...but he was dry.  I took him potty.   He was very shifty....I knew he had to poop.  He didn't go.  I left his underwear off, so that we could rush back to the bathroom if there was any sign.  Then... I received a very important phone call.  I'm giving information to the caller when I notice.....poop coming out.  I said....oh my gosh.... just a second please.....i grab Rowan and start carrying him to the bathroom  His turd falls on the floor!  I'm on an important call with a brown emergency.  HAHA  
Anyway....amidst it all...it's a good day.

Understanding and Awareness

I watched a video on facebook that was shared by The Autism Site Blog. This video was made by a family of a little boy with autism. I am going to type out the text from this video to share with the world because of it's accuracy. It really touched me because it is exactly what my kids are going through. People just don't know about autism and how kids are affected.  Our trip to the mall yesterday was a prime example.  My boy was unresponsive to people that spoke to him and they thought he was mad.  Another friend made a comment to my daughter that she took literally and began to cry.

TEN THINGS EVERY KID WITH AUTISM WISHES YOU KNEW

1. I am first and foremost a child. I have autism. I am not primarily "autistic." My autism is only one aspect of my total character. It does not define me as a person.

2. My sensory perceptions are disordered. Sensory integration may be one of the most difficult aspects of autism to understand, but is arguably the most critical. It means that the ordinary sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches of everyday (that you might not even notice) can be downright painful for me.
  
3. Please remember to distinguish between won't (I choose not to) and can't (I am not able to.) Receptive and expressive language and vocabulary can be major challenges for me. It isn't that I don't listen to instructions. It's that I can't understand you. When you call to me from across the room, this is what I hear  " *&^%*&^%, Arwen. *&^%^*&^%$........."  Instead , come speak directly to me in plain words: "Please put your pillow on your bed, Arwen."

4. I am a concrete thinker. This means I interpret language very literally. It's very confusing for me when you say "Hold your horses, cowboy!" when what you really mean is "Please stop running."
Don't tell me something is a "piece of cake" when there is no dessert in sight, and what you really mean is "this will be easy for you to do."  When you say "Rowan really burned up the track," I see a kid playing with matches. Please just tell me "Rowan ran very fast."

5 .Please be patient with my limited vocabulary. It is hard for me to tell you what I need when I don't know the words to describe my feelings.I may be hungry, frustrated, frightened, or confused, but right now those words are beyond my ability to express.  Be alert for body language, withdrawal, agitation or other signs that something is wrong.

6. Because language is so difficult, I am very visually oriented. Please show me how to do something rather than just telling me.  And please be prepared to show me many times.  Lots of consistent repetition helps me to learn.

7.  Please focus and build on what I CAN do rather than what I can't do.  Like any other human, I can't learn in an environment where I'm constantly made to feel that I'm not good enough and that I need "fixing."  Trying anything new when I am almost sure to be met with criticism, however "constructive" becomes something to be avoided. Look for my strengths and you will find them. There is more than one "right" way to do most things.

8. Please help me with social interactions.  It may look like I don't want to play with the other kids on the playground, but sometimes it's just that I simply do not know how to start a conversation or enter a play situation.  If you can encourage other children to invite me to join them at kickball or shooting baskets, it might be that I'm delighted to be included.

9. Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns.  Meltdowns, blow-ups, tantrums, or whatever you want to call them are even more horrid for me than they are for you. They occur because one or more senses has gone into overload. If you can figure out why my meltdowns occur, they can be prevented.  Keep a log noting times, settings, people, activities.  A pattern may emerge. 

10.  Love me unconditionally. Banish thoughts like "if she would just...." and "why can't she"
You did not fulfill every expectation your parents had for you and you wouldn't like to be constantly reminded of it.  I did not choose to have autism. But remember, it is happening to me...not you. Without  your support, my chances of successful, self reliant adulthood are slim.  With support and guidance, the possibilities are broader than you might think. I promise you....I AM WORTH IT.

Patience, patience, patience.  Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. 
Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts that autism has given me. It may be true that I"m not good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed that I do not lie, cheat at games, tattle on classmates, or pass judgement? It's probably also true that I won't be the next Michael Jordan.  But with my attention and focus, I might be the next Einstein, Mozart, or Van Gogh. They had autism too.

What I become won't happen without you as my foundation. Be My Advocate. Be My Friend. We'll see how far I can go.

The type that is in bold are the things that are most significant in the life of my family.  Those are the things that really stood out and accurately describe what we are experiencing.  I hope many will read this and have a better understanding of what it is like to have autism.  Thank you for taking the time to read this.