Nearing the end of another Autism month

 

As we come to the end of another autism acceptance month, I look back on how it all started for my challenge and how it's going now. I feel like I made a big impact on the autism community by sharing some of my different stories, and hearing other stories along the way.

Although that's not to say there aren't some other challenges out there that we're now experiencing or continue to face. I know some people are not that kind to other people with autism, but we have to remember this: let your true blue friends and your family be there for you. Their words are the ones that matter. No matter how much you might want to, you can't change what others think about you. You got to do what you do best and hopefully inspire others to learn more about autism.

There's a lot more work to do, but I feel like we're making great progress and I'm so proud of the autism community for coming together this month and stepping up for a cause we believe in.

I'm officially 32

 April 16th I turned 32 years old. I never thought this was where I would be. An autistic adult working a full time job, making a difference in my community, and inspiring others to show support for autism and give back to their community. I hope the rest of the year is as good as the last 32.

Family Read Along with Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood

 Over the weekend, I had the privilege of sharing not just the Barefoot Autism Challenge with kids and parents at the Little Book in Des Moines, but also a section of the Hear Me Speak book. Every second Saturday of the month, The Little Book hosts a Family Read Aloud put on by the Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood.

Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood is actually a group of three speech and play therapy businesses rolled into one organization. They consist of 143 Speech Therapy LLC ran by Megan, Forest Road Speech and Language Therapy LLC ran by Dani, and TalkPlay Junction, LLC, ran by Alicia. Fun fact, Megan discovered my challenge page on Instagram first, and I followed her back and then Dani and Alicia and the rest was history.

They were nice enough to talk to the Autism Society of Iowa about their event and my friend Erin Enyart helped with getting things together. The event consists of Megan, Dani, and Alicia playing with the kids and reading to them. For this particular event, they had the kids take off their shoes and socks, and Alicia led everyone in a song that she came up with herself the morning of. They shared a bunch of different things that are different textures such as crinkly like cardboard paper, soft like a blanket, bubble wrap, and some cool water platforms that when you touch them, the water moves around

I got in on the action after everyone went to the back and experienced the different feelings on their feet. Speaking of feelings, there are over 20,000 never endings on the foot. Megan even pointed out that being barefoot is beneficial to development of kids feet. I'll share more on that another time.

Meanwhile I read part of the first chapter of my story as they would only let me do 15 minutes due to time constraints.

I chose the first chapter of my book because I thought that part would be the best one for parents and kids to hear together. The group enjoyed hearing me read and they asked me a bit about my challenge and what they can do to get involved. Luckily, Erin printed copies of the QR codes for my Facebook, Zazzle, and Instagram pages as well as copies of a flyer for a walk the Autism Society of Iowa is hosting April 27th. The link for the event will be down below. After the event wrapped up, Dani told me she and the others would have copies of the Hear Me Speak book for people to pick up if they wanted to. I was so happy to be a part of this and I look forward to being involved in other events with them in the future.

To quote part of Alicia's song, "They're so brave!" Being such great advocates for autism, and for taking part in my challenge. To find out more about Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood, check them out on Instagram and Facebook and check out their websites.

143 Speech Therapy

TalkPlay Junction LLC

Forest Road Speech and Language Therapy

And here's the link to the Autism Society of Iowa's walk:

Autism Society of Iowa Walk

Striding 4 Awareness

 Last weekend, I was at the Striding 4 Awareness walk and resource fair in Carlisle Iowa. This walk was organized by my friend Erika Owens, who I met at an autism parent gathering in 2020 put on by Axis Resource Center.

Erika has a daughter named Payton who is autistic. She organizes this walk every year in honor of Payton having a bunch of people wear Team Payton shirts. Some years were a bit colder to walk barefoot for me, but I went for it and I wasn't the only one who took off the shoes and socks for it. Erika even got in on it temporarily.

Some of the kids thought it was fun too, but they put their shoes back on after a little while. My feet were a bit cold but as long as I kept moving, I was okay.

Something else I like about these events is getting to see some great friends of mine. In particular, my friends Shelby on the left, Lydia on the right. Shelby and Lydia are teachers of Payton's and they are really sweet! I met them at a conference with the Autism Society of Iowa when Temple Grandin was a guest. Maybe that could be a good blog story. Since then we've seen each other every now and again and it's always fun to see them.

I even had a table as part of the vendor fair that took place. I had a bunch of the items that are in my Zazzle store on display, candy for the kids, as well as QR Codes for my pages and the Autism Society of Iowa nature walk that will take place on April 27th. People say I'm brave for being barefoot when it's a bit cold out, and I agree with them, but sometimes I can get a bit nervous on if my feet can handle it. But I tell myself, if Angie Bee can do it, so can I! I'm excited to share more with you guys throughout the month! Keep the posts coming for the challenge.

Barefoot Autism Challenge week 1

 For the first week of the Barefoot Autism Challenge, I know that it's always the quietest week since it just got started. But I've seen people take part in my challenge throughout this week. Even some people who did the polar plunge at Iowa State for Greek Week since there's probably not any person who would wear shoes at a polar plunge that uses a pool, unless you were plunging from a beach.

One friend of mine who took part in my challenge is Olive Oconnell. She runs her own business called AllLove Wellness, which specializes in diets, yoga, dance and sound. Olive especially loves being in nature and previously ran an outdoor yoga exercise that took place at Grays Lake. 

This was Olive next to a tree. Did you know that if you hug a tree you actually feel grounded? Just ask my friend Suzanne Hackenmiller. She'll tell you.

Being barefoot in nature actually helps relieve back pain, reduces stress, and improves mood and sleep. Other people who have taken part in my challenge have walked through rain water, mud and a whole lot more. Another barefooter, Sue Kennedy, will be sharing the Barefoot Autism Challenge with some of her friends in Canada as well as New York. Keep an eye out for that!

I even shared my challenge at a fun autism walk just this last Saturday. I even had a table at their vendor fair. I'll share that soon too.

Having friends in your circle

In my line of work, having friends in your circle is one of the most important things anyone can have. My church, Lutheran Church of Hope has a bunch of groups that I met great people from such as OneBody, the special needs sermon, and REVIVE, the service for young adults in their 20s and 30s. I have shared my challenge to those groups and they thought my challenge was pretty neat.

REVIVE even has some people do small groups. My small group from 2023 to 2024 has done my challenge throughout April even a couple members doing the challenge on one of REVIVE's mission trips.

 Some other friends have done the challenge at events like local walks, or during the Run Club at Lifetime Fitness

This is me and my friend Megan from Run Club. Yes I didn't have shoes on during the run.

Even my coworkers get in on the fun!

My friends are very important to me because as someone who's autistic, I know that can be hard to do. Though if it weren't for my family and the people who helped me with my communication skills, I don't think I would be the social person I am now. The fact my friends support my challenge and are accepting of my autism, really means the world to me. I'm so lucky to have such great people in my circle. Don't be afraid to venture out and make new friends. You'll be surprised to see what it's like to have an autistic friend.

By the way, my challenge is off to a pretty good start. Keep it up everyone!