2 days to go

While at D-land today, Tate found a penny to add to our tower of change. Two more days...have you turned in your change yet?

Penny and Princesses

Leaders!

way behind

Wow--I am way behind on thanking our amazing, overly generous friends and family. Thank you Mom mom and Pop pop for helping us in so many ways-this donation included. Thank you Pritha for thinking of our Max and supporting us.

I also want to thank my friend (from the 6th grade) Teresa and her family for taking the time while she was out of the country in Dubai to give to our cause. She must have won big at the horse race there because she is in the lead for the super cookies right now. (Just kidding about the races...)

So did you see the photos above? We are on the leader board for fund raising! That wasn't the plan or the desire, but it is exciting none the less.

Three more days!

You have four more days to turn in your coins!

Thanks Grammy and Papa

Just a quick post tonight to remind you that you have 7 more days to turn your coins in. My parents get brownie points (or Super cookie points) for actually turning COINS in. My mom turned in a soda bottle of pennies and donated $25.27 in Max's name. Normally, accepting money from them would make me feel guilty since they support us in so many other ways, but pennies---no guilt here! I will be taking my Paris Las Vegas tower of coins to the bank on Monday. When are you going?

xoxo Kim

The Caring Carrolls

You guys are killing me here! Did anyone actually turn in coinage? Seriously though, thank you Melissa and John for the more than generous donation. Melissa is our Angel. I've said it before and I will say it again, we are so blessed to have her in our lives. She is the most knowledgeable, caring therapist and friend --as well as Max's biggest cheerleader!

Steph the Baker

Thank you Steph for your generous donation! I just emailed Steph and said that I have to hope for someone to turn in more than her because I don't want to make Super Cookies for the best baker I know! So, let's get out there and search for those coins--lift up those couch cushions, check your pockets and clean out those cars everyone.

You have 8 more days!
xoxo kim

builders

keyboarding kid

I went to a seminar last month to see 5 kids with Autism who use keyboarding devices as their primary form of communication. It was an emotional experience for me as I listened to the parents of these 5 teenagers tell MY story. They were told that there children were below average, possibly mentally retarded (or M.R.) as Max was falsely labeled. Three out to of the five of the presenters became honors students after being given a voiced. Hmmm...not M.R., more like G.A.T.E. I will share more about this at a later time as I am pooped and could go on and on about it.

Needless to say, it was inspiring and we have started doing some with Max. We took him to a class and he was the star pupil (for beginners). He did much better than Tom and I expected and was not only able to identify words, but also type some out. He has to be very focused to do so and he clearly isn't in the video that you see below, but I wanted to share a taste of it with you.

My hand is not guiding Max's. It is actually offering some resistance to keep him focussed and a little bit of support as he still has motor issues. I would never falsify any of this as it would be doing Max a great disservice. At the seminar, the parents told stories of people not believing them because of the hands being involved. Eventually, my hand will move to Max's shoulder and then be gone completely.

Melissa, Max's A.K.A. Max's Angel videoed as Max and I tried some typing. There are programs that will convert the typing into actual voice. That is our next step.

Keep collecting coins--9 days left and counting!
xoxo kim

silly max typing

Thanks (in sign language) from Max

Some Applause from Max-keep the coins rolling in!

more thanks

Big thanks to my long time friend (from 6th grade-can you believe it?) Scotty--I guess it's Scott now, for donating in Max's name. So unexpected, but very appreciated!
xoxo kim

maxie pie

Thank you!

Thank you Auntie Jo and Uncle Bob for being the first people to donate! You two do so much for us. We can't wait to see you at Ride Now this year---August 8th right?

Coins for a Cure Kickoff

I've created this blog because it is much easier and fun for you to see how my sweet Max is doing than simply read what I have to say.

Max's grandma from Texas says that 2009 is the year that Max will turn it all around and I think she's right. That boy is the hardest worker I've ever seen. He still goes to the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) four days a week . In addition to the ECLC, Max has ABA therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and a priceless Life Coach (Melissa). We have added one new therapy. Some of you have heard me talk about the hyperbaric chamber (hbot). We have an amazingly generous friend that is allowing us to do dives for free at her home. It is saving us thousands of dollars and we are beyond hopeful that we will see (and/or hear a miracle soon). Fingers crosses for us please!

I will write more later. I have lots to tell you about...our kindergarten selection for Max, his new interests, and some of our continued struggles, but for now I want to announce our kick off fundraiser for Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd.

We all have change lying around so I thought Coins for a Cure would be an easy way to raise some money while raising awareness for Max and Autism. Take your change to a Coin Star or other such machine and then donate your cashola to Team Max (http://www.walknowforautism.org/orangecounty/max). Please do so by April 2nd at midnight. the person who raises the most money will receive a prize. I will make some of my friend Stephanie's world famous (if they're not, they should be) Super Cookies for the winner in addition to a couple of other little goodies! Please pass this along to anyone that you think might want to participate. The more-the merrier!

Love to you all and check back often. I will try to update daily from now until April 2nd.

Smiling Siblings

Singing about Ducks

Horsin' Around