Free Your Feet: A Barefoot Nature Walk With Friends

Join me and Kelanie Crosswait from Open Heart Healing Arts for a fun barefoot nature walk event at Greenwood Park Saturday September 19th at 2 pm. It'll be a fun event for friends and you'll learn a bit about autism and about healing arts. Check out the image above for details.
 

Updates

 Been pretty busy lately, so it's time I'd let you guys know what's been new.

I had a great time in Minneapolis for the USA Special Olympics. I got gold, silver and bronze in my bocce competitions, and even found some barefoot time during the Health Promotion screening for healthy athletes. Haven't done much else barefoot stuff because of how hot it's been. But I'll be ready for when I can shed the shoes and not have my feet burn. Don't worry, I haven't burned my feet yet.

I can't believe we're halfway through the year already. So much has been going on in the autism world. I got the opportunity to meet Britini D'Angelo from Big Brother at the Fi and Friends autism fair. She gave an amazing speech, did a great job leading the panel, and she gave great insights to some questions I had. I even gave her one of my challenge stickers and she said she'd put one on her laptop.

I don't know what the rest of the year has in store but I look forward to it.

National Barefoot Day

 Today is National Barefoot Day. Honestly a day as someone who loves being barefoot is happy this day exists. The day lets people experience the joys of going barefoot feeling the grass in the park under their feet, the sand on the beach, and so much more.

I even got some of my friends to experience the joy of being barefoot and they felt happier and more free when they weren't confined in shoes. So today I encourage you to try going barefoot. You won't regret it!

Celebrating Mom (Especially autism moms)

 It's Mother's Day. A day of celebrating our mother's and/or mother figures in our lives.

My mom always fought for me when it came to accomodations, whenever I was in a jam over something major, when I was picked on in high school, or whenever I needed support. If it weren't for her I wouldn't be where I'm at right now. I'm forever grateful for you mom. Happy Mother's Day!

And shoutout to the other autism moms including my friend Erin Kiernan from Channel 13. You are warriors and you will have people to help you out and cheer you on!

Looking back on ten years

 The Barefoot Autism Challenge has completed its tenth year. And honestly, I couldn't have been more proud. When I started this challenge, I thought nobody's going to want to have anything to do with this, but I was surely mistaken!

I have had the privilege to make new friends just like I have with every year ever since my challenge began. Some I got to know through sharing my challenge and talking about it at different groups. Some friends I got to reconnect with after not seeing for so long. Whatever is in store for the Barefoot Autism Challenge for the coming years is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure, I will always be grateful for the opportunities I had to share my challenge, tell my story, and make sure people with autism are seen and heard!

I'm looking forward to more fun opportunities such as meeting Britini D'Angelo from Big Brother 23 at the Fi & Friends Organization Resource Fair in July, or possibly meeting Tanner from Love on the Spectrum at one of the meet and greets at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.

I even got connected with some people who are part of the Stars of the Spectrum group. Maybe I'll share my challenge at one of their events; until then I'll be prepared to share my challenge from years to come.

Barefoot Autism Challenge week 2 and week 3

 The Barefoot Autism Challenge has been having a great 10 year anniversary so far. Here's a rundown

Last weekend I shared my challenge at the Iowa State Greek Week polar plunge. Normally I plunge, but the feels like temperature was very cold so I didn't. That being said I did show support for my team! Also I shared my challenge at the Little Book again with Megan and Alicia from 143 Speech Therapy and TalkPlay Junction respectively. I read the Dr. Seuss ABC book after doing a sensory walk with the kids who came to the event. That was the book that let me regain my speech after I was diagnosed with autism.

That same weekend, I had a dance competition with the Dance Vision Dream Team and the Iowa Events Center. Most of us were barefoot because it was an option for us. Of course a lot of us opted for being barefoot; especially since being barefoot makes it easier to control the turns and all that. It's my first time doing dance so I'm just a rookie at this.

Also on a personal note: I turned 33 years old on April 16th! I was barefoot at my young adult ministry and shared my challenge with them as well as at Smash Park where we had an Eat and Greet after the service. Although that part was scheduled for that day already so that was just a coincidence.

And an update on the Athletes for the Barefoot Autism Challenge event, we have a few new vendors for the event, In The Sticks BBQ, and Sweet Swirls. I'll share another vendor announcement next week.

And tomorrow is the Barefoot Autism Challenge tour at the Des Moines Art Center! I'll post about that later.

Athletes for the Barefoot Autism Challenge

 Are you ready for this? In collaboration with the Barefoot Autism Challenge, the Des Moines Rugby Club and 515 Run Club are teaming up to bring an event of barefoot activities!

On April 28th from 5-8 pm, people can join in for some barefoot rugby and running as well as local vendors, food trucks and more! It'll be at the Des Moines Rugby Club in West Des Moines for anyone who's interested.

Shoutout to my friend Anna for helping put this together

Busy Mom's Boutique is one of the first vendors and will sell dirty sodas and loaded teas

The spots marked in red are the best places to park and the spots marked in blue are where we recommend snagging a spot so you can cheer on runners and rugby players. Bring your own chairs and blankets!