Good News Corner

I received such a wonderful story that it inspired me to start a new section for our AutismResearch Newsletter - called "Good News Corner". The regular news is usually bad (or much more bad news than good) and even the Autism stories are often about the difficulties and rarely celebrates the wonderful stories such as these.


Kaitrin Beechey, a celebrated artist, makes an appearance at Queen's Park

On April 2, Kaitrin was recognized in the Ontario Legislature in a statement that Minister Laurel Broten, Ministry of Child and Youth Services, made to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. Kaitrin was invited to attend as Minister Laurel Broten's guest in the Member's Gallery. To read about this charming and very talented young lady with Asperger's, click here. She has her own website at: www.windowsbykaitrin.com.

(Good News Correspondents: Karen Beechey, Kaitrin's proud Mom and Jeanette Holden, proud to be a friend of Kaitrin's and who would like to add that Katrin's work has such fantastic (as in fantasy) qualities, that she transports you to a thoughtful and happy world of peace and loving.)

Kim Peek - the real Rain Man!  

If you've seen the movie Rain Man, with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, you may be interested in Kim Peek - he's the "original Rain Man".  Click here to view an excerpt of a documentary about Peek. 

(Good News Correspondent: Nancy Miles)

Brushes with Grace - Grace Culliton ("Good News" Correspondent Janet Culliton)

We have some news to share!  Our family was recently asked to put together a video about our special daughter Grace Culliton, and her art, to be shown at an upcoming event in Stratford that Temple Grandin is speaking at. Read more...

Unlocking Carly's World - Carly Fleischmann ("Good News" Correspondent Pat Lalonde)

Carly is truly one amazing young lady!!  She is an inspiration to all of us living with Autism.. she has shown me personally that the sky is the limit with my daughter and to NEVER give up!!!!   Autism truly does speak, and it is time for all of us to listen!!!!  :) Click to read the article Unlocking Carly and Carly Interviews Herself.

Golfing and Autism - Moe Norman ("Good News" Correspondent Jeanette Holden)
For many years, when speaking to groups, I have remarked that many “top of their field” athletes have children with autism. I wondered if there might be a connection. It seemed to me that being a supreme athlete often required incredible mathematical skills – probably unconsciously calculated. For example, throwing a football to a place where no-one seems to be, but calculating how quickly the receiver responds and getting the ball to the “right place”! Or what about Golf – as I joke with my friends, and even new acquaintances who play golf, it’s like hitting a very small ball into a smaller hole and not even being able to see where the hole is……. Amazing!  All the triangulation and vectors, speed, wind, human elements that have to be taken into account. And then there’s Moe Norman – perhaps some of the explanation lies with this remarkable golfer. Click here to view video

Charitable gift a "huge" gift for a grateful family: "Pat Lalonde was recently informed that the government funding for her daughter's autism therapy had been cut. But thanks to the generosity of others, 12-year-old Lauren will be able to continue her programming - and Lalonde couldn't be happier." Read more...

A girl's best friend: "Emily Buchholz and her dog Rocky are a pair that's hard to break up. That's because Rocky, as her service dog, is with her at all times, especially in her Grade 3 class at Bayridge Public School." Read more...

J-Mac continues to inspire five years after scoring feat: "Can it really be that five years have passed since that remarkable night in February 2006 when Jason McElwain of Greece gave Rochester - and ultimately, the world - a performance no one will ever forget?" Read more...

Architecture for Autism: "My late brother was autistic and I noted what things affected him such as bright light, unpredictable sounds, heat, obsession with detail over the bigger picture, order, sameness, stimulation, stability and calm. I completed my thesis on buildings for people with autism whilst at college and since practicing as an architect I have designed a number of buildings for children and adults with autism as well as continuing my research. Click here to download pdf file...

Last Updated: May 2011


Submit a Good News Corner Story

Please send an email with a link to the article and a short note to introduce the article to autism.research@queensu.ca.


 

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