What a week it's been...

 Autism has been featured in the news again, and I can tell you it's been a bit overwhelming for me and a lot of other people. People have said so many things about where autism comes from but don't have the facts to back it up. Some of the things that were said have hurt people in the autism community. I know it's rough, but the autism community will always bounce back. I have some friends in my corner who are there for me, and they have been extremely supportive. I can't do this alone so thank you to the autism community for having my back and take time for yourself. Have a bit of a mental break. That's exactly what I need right about now.

Barefoot Lifestyle Book

 For those of you who know, I have a few friends who live their lives completely barefoot. There's some groups online for people who live the barefoot lifestyle too, mainly the Society for Barefoot Living and Barefoot is Legal. Now there's a book about living the barefoot lifestyle called Barefoot Is Legal: Voice For The Barefoot Lifestyle written by Barefoot is Legal founder Dave Kelman

The description states: People by nature hate being forced to constantly wear shoes all the time. Most people think laws exist against going barefoot. There are zero laws in North America regarding driving a car, going to a store, or eating in public barefoot. Plus, there are health benefits to the barefoot lifestyle you were never told about. Flip-flops are the world's most worn shoe. Why? Because people want the freedom to not wear shoes, but they are afraid of public ridicule. Learn the reasons why we started a 501c3 non-profit and how going barefoot is completely normal.

I definitely recommend this book if you want to try living a barefoot lifestyle especially as I've gotten more comfortable being a barefooter. As of now, the book is available on the Barnes & Noble website and not in stores yet. But feel free to check this book out. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barefoot-is-legal-david-kelman/1148145632

Back to School

 Back to school is a big moment for someone who has autism. For me, I always enjoyed school and learning and making friends. I do understand it can be hard though. Here's some things I had in my school years that you or your child can use.

My family had social stories for me to prepare what the school would be like and what to expect from the schedule. I also had an IEP and a regular meeting with a staff member to see how things are going. Accommodations are something I highly recommend as well. These accommodations can be things like a hall pass, extended time on tests, and copies of notes in case the time it takes to write down the notes isn't up to speed.

In addition, meeting with the teachers before school starts is something I did so I would know what the teachers are like. Letting them know about autism is a key point too. The only regret I had was not sharing this with a teacher I had who was a bit too strict for me that I was autistic. She was a bit hard on a lot of the students in general though. Other than that, letting the teachers know is a good way for an autistic student to get acquainted with the environment as well as develop a relationship with other students and staff.

Hope everyone has a good back to school!

Wiggle your toes day

 Yesterday was a silly little day called Wiggle Your Toes Day. It just lets you free those piggies of ours and lets you feel like a kid again. Another thing when you wiggle your toes, it allows you to let the blood flow through your toes and gets them active. I try to get my feet free every chance I get. Hope you guys get the chance to as well. Summer will be over before you know it.

Happy Fourth of July

 It's the Fourth of July. I know from experience it can be a bit overwhelming for someone who's autistic. Fireworks can definitely be overstimulating for people with autism; I would know since I would have my hands over my ears when I was a kid and eventually got better at dealing with them. In this case, having noise cancelling headphones are the best way to go.

With it being a hot summer, the heat can be uncomfortable too. In this situation, water and fans are good things to have around. If you're going to a barbecue tonight and it's overly crowded, just tell the host(s) you need to have a break and go to somewhere quiet to regroup. And if they don't have food you like, you can bring some food that you enjoy. Other than that, just remember to have fun this holiday.

And in my experience, if it's too hot to be barefoot, wear shoes. Simple as that. Have a great Fourth of July everyone!

"Special" Update

 

Four years ago, I got a letter saying I got picked for the 2022 USA Special Olympics in Orlando Florida. It was the highlight of my Special Olympics career. I did bowling when I was down there and I had fun making new friends and competing on a national level. Fast forward to this year, I got chosen again for the USA Special Olympics but I got picked for bocce. The location is also different, Minneapolis Minnesota. Obviously I will have training to do but I'm not going to have an exercise theme for the Barefoot Autism Challenge like I did in 2022. That being said, I'll be training as hard as I can and I know that it'll be fine regardless.

What I look forward with these games is besides competing in a sport I love and making new friends, is so many fun opportunities. Last time I led Team Iowa in the parade of athletes; I doubt I'll be doing that again but we'll see what happens. There's a cool event called the ESPN Unified Sports Challenge where athletes can do fun activities with Unified Partners and celebrities. I would love to do this because it's not everyday that I would compete alongside certain celebrities. One of my favorite celebrities is gymnast Shawn Johnson East who happens to be an ambassador for the games. Maybe she'll be on one of the teams doing the challenge. Who knows?

All I know is that even though the games are a year away, I need to prepare myself, train as hard as I can, and just know that there are going to be so many great things ahead. I can't wait to meet my bocce team and have a great time in Minnesota.

National Barefoot Day

 June 1st is National Barefoot Day! It's a day to enjoy the sensation of walking barefoot and to raise awareness about the importance of shoes for those in need, particularly underprivileged children and victims of natural disasters. The day is promoted by organizations like Soles4Souls. But people like me enjoy National Barefoot Day for the latter.

Summer is the time of year where a lot of us shed the shoes and let our feet be free. If you're curious about being barefoot, I encourage you to try going barefoot in your backyard and walk barefoot in the grass.

When you're barefoot in nature it just makes you feel better. Walking barefoot also helps with sleep, reducing anxiety and makes you feel like a kid again. Of course you do have to be aware of some things when walking barefoot. However, when you're barefoot you're more aware of your surroundings and you walk slower. That means if something comes up that might be dangerous, you're more aware of it and you are able to avoid it easier. We don't notice those kinds of things as much when wearing shoes. And when you walk slower you actually get to be more in the moment rather than being rushed.

So I hope you had a great National Barefoot Day and try going barefoot yourself.