Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!

Two of my brothers- Wayne and Art- and I with Santa, circa 1970

Take Off, Eh!

Handsome man pointed out (and I'm here on in claiming it as my idea) the OBVIOUS (once its pointed out) connection between Rob&Doug Ford and Bob&Doug McKenzie.  My sincerest apologies to great Canadian icons Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis for making the connection, but their alter egos are frighteningly similar to the bumbling brothers that hold a tight grasp on our fair Toronto. The McKenzie/Ford brothers share a look, intellect, behaviour and the incomprehensible ability to hang onto their niche DESPITE their actions. Both sets are dim witted and have NO IDEA just how inept they are. The difference between them is that the McKenzie Brothers never hurt a single sole, they had fun, and made us all a little happier. Quite the opposite with our elected siblings from hell. Rob&Doug Ford are the ANTI-McKenzie Brothers. They, Rob especially, are on a path to complete disaster, dare I say it, even nihilation. A path of destruction accompanies their descent, and Rob Ford's very PHYSICAL survival is doubtful. The enablers surround, as so often happens with a person with power (Michael Jackson comes immediately to mind) and personality disorder is becoming a more likely explanation day after day. As I type this city council is taking steps to remove Mayor Ford's power. Yet they cannot remove HIM. And its doubtful he'll step down. Rob has said he is getting medical assistance, but come on, there's no way you can get ADEQUATE help unless you dedicate yourself to it FULL TIME. The greatest hope the City has, and Rob&Doug themselves, is that with the seeping away of Rob's powers, the clingers-on and enablers will fade away and stop assisting this suicide. Perhaps then he will step down and get real help. Rob- and Doug- our fair city has excellent care via The Centre For Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Be an example rather than a joke. Step down. Get Help.


Feel free to comment below- hoser jokes welcome, 'cause if we don't laugh at this situation, we'll cry!

Guardian Angels, Warrior Moms

Eric and I at Cherry Beach, Toronto

Recently I dropped Eric off at a Saturday Social Skills program for adults with autism run by Kerry's Place Autism Services, an exceptional organization in Toronto. We were the first to arrive.  Eric, as usual, was having a difficult time separating from me. My granddaughter was with us, so she and Eric ran around the coach house that the program is housed in. She was having a ball, and Eric knew I couldn't leave without Sammy, so he was fairly calm while exploring. I settled in, knowing it would be a good 10 minutes before I'd be able to leave. I was chatting with program staff when in walked the next participant- whom I recognized right away. A young man probably about 10 years older than Eric. He lives on my street with his mother, who walked in immediately behind him. The young man settled fairly quickly so I was able to talk to the mom. Something I'd been wanting to do for nearly 2 decades. You see, I could never forget her.  She had had a profound impact on me, and made a huge difference for my son. The interaction had been brief, and I was sure she wouldn't recall it, or us. But I needed to thank her. So while Sammy and Eric explored the house I told her and the staff the story of that day, nearly 20 years ago.

When All Else Fails, Jump On The Bed

Photo Courtesy of Wayne Pollard

Life can be stressful.

 

As the glow of summer fades away, replaced by the dying leaves and grey skies of autumn, its easy to feel grey yourself. Hibernate. Cut off the cold and damp of the season. 

But fall isn't truly dreary. Or depressing. 

Its a beautiful, colourful world, inside AND out. 

Stay with me as I recount a tale of autumn, stress and joy,  from just last week.

Reading List for helping Siblings understand Autism

  Autism is a journey. We may not have a map, but there are guide books!