cincy

I love the thoughtful and respectful way this is being discussed here. There are a few charities that I give to solely on the basis of trust. TBAF is one of them. I don't think that makes me a "sheep" or naive in any way. Whenever I make a BAF donation or volunteer for a project they sponsor, my personal gratification is immediate. I feel good about it. I don't need to look at their annual report or their spreadsheet or whatever. The percentages, whatever they are, do not concern me because I believe these are people who are doing their best and are obtaining the desired results of raising awareness and inclusion. To me that is enough. I know that all charities have to file reports with the IRS and if the IRS had any questions about anything, it would do its own audit and revoke or temporarily suspend TBAF's license. To my knowledge, neither of those things have happened. So I'm putting the majority of my trust in TBAF (with a lesser apportionment to the US government/IRS). Between the two of them, I have absolutely no reason to let the joy I experience when making a TBAF contribution be marred by the events of the past week.

There is an old song from the late 40s or 50s by Nat King Cole that is so beautiful. It is called Nature Boy and the lyrics are: There was a boy A very strange enchanted boy They say he wandered very far, very far Over land and sea A little shy and sad of eye But very wise was he And then one day A magic day he passed my way And while we spoke of many things Fools and kings This he said to me "The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return" That song has always reminded me of Clay; and most recently with his UNICEF travels.

40s As Time Goes By Sentimental Journey My funny Valentine I'll Be Seeing You Unforgettable Here's That Rainy Day Route 66 50s Chances Ar That'll Be the Day Mona Lisa Days of Wine and Roses Moon River Rock Around the Clock Hound Dog Jailhouse Rock Breaking Up is Hard to Do 60s What's Goin' On A Change is Gonna Come Eight Days a Week Here There Everywhere Little Help From My Friiends And I Love Her Scarborough Fair Sound of Silence 70s Your Song Remenessing I Don't Want to be Lonely Tonight Got to Get You Into My Life In My Life Fire & Rain 80s, 90's and 00....I'll have to do those tomorrow! LOL

http://www.autism-help-center.com/autism-t...t-training.html Mark's parents have had success using the rewards system and mostly by staying calm about accidents. Good luck!!! p.s. I'll bet Cal and Mark would make great friends!!

Speaking as a grandparent......I have a four-year old grandson with autism. What a blessing this child is and how much he has added to our family unit is indescribable!!! Mark's autism is at the end of the spectrum where his communication skills are symptomatic of the condition. He talks very very little. So we have learned to communicate with him in many other ways, while encouraging his speech development, too, of course. He goes to pre-school. No behavior problems (as a matter of fact he makes friends easily). I commend my son and daughter-in-law for the patience and love they show him. When Mark and I play together, it is the same as my play with my other grandkids in many ways. Our playtime is special though because since we don't use words, we communicate on a different level. I have learned to simply watch at times and only join in his play of arranging his matchbox cars or zoo animals after asking him if it is okay...(interrupting his patterns and "bringing him out of the deep concentration" is sometimes helpful.) We have fun coloring together or going to the park! He knows I love him and I know he loves me. That's pretty much all a granny needs to know.

I have "bought" three pins that were for fundraisers and a couple as gifts for other people, but haven't had a chance to buy any others for myself. They are all so beautiful, it would be hard for me to pick just a few. I have been monitoring and either PMing or emailing to get a pin from each board as part of a shadowbox gift for Clay and have been able to get around 102 or so pins pledged for the project....that has been very fun and rewarding! I've always been a little slow as a collector....I'm still looking for a pet rock. LOL

Hi, my name is Joan and my board name is Cincy.....cuz I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, where I am a proud grandma and legal assistant (notice my priorities there). I post on ClayAikenPleaseClickHere, the Clayboard, and the OFC. I recently joined a local group that meets monthly, SWOhioClayFriends For fun, I like to go to river cities throughout Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky looking for Arts & Crafts era pottery. I discovered Clay with Open Arms and could not believe he was eliminated. Then once he came back as America's wildcard choice, I voted for him each week. I have been fortunate to have seen him in concert three times and will see him again three times this summer....Columbus, Kettering and Indianapolis. Shortly after the end of AI2, my grandson was diagnosed with autism. I really thank Clay for preparing me for this. Without the information I had on hand when our family found out, I doubt that I would have been able to fully appreciate this special gift from God. Autism and special needs have become very important to me, as is my work as a legal assistant where we represent people (including those with disabilities) who are discriminated against in the workforce. This board looks great BTW! I am glad I saw the invitation to join!!!