Mom's Visit

Mom is flying down today to spend a long weekend with us. Although she and T are not fond of having their picture taken, this one from 2004 shows how T feels about his Gram. Look at that smile.

Promise Me: A Review

Promise Me is the recently released memoir of Nancy Goodman Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. I had really looked forward to reading this book, so I am happy to report that it didn't disappoint.

Promise Me: How a Sister's Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer

Ambassador Brinker intertwines the history of breast cancer and breast cancer research with story of her own life and development (with her older sister Suzy's role and continuing influence in her life woven into the narrative). The stories of survival peppered throughout the book are heartwarming and do an excellent job of illustrating how far research and treatment options have advanced (due in large part to the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure).

I almost wish this had been 3 books instead of one; or perhaps wish that she'd write two follow-up books; one with more details of the nuts and bolts of the creation of the Susan G. Komen Foundation; the other delving deeper into her years of government service, first as Ambassador to Hungary, later as the Chief of Protocol for the White House.

Some of my favorite quotes from Promise Me:

"The first step toward giving to others is grateful recognition of our own assets."

"she embodied the idea of tzedakah, which isn't about performing acts of kindness; it's about the state of being kind."

If you enjoy memoirs and don't mind a few tears along the way, give Promise Me a read. You'll enjoy it and you'll definitely learn a thing or two.

Getting Ready for Halloween 2

A few more photos of our Halloween goodies, mostly inside the house this time. First, by popular demand, here are Sassy A and Sassy B.

I know it looks like Sassy A is in the yard, but really she's hanging out at Grandma's house so T'll have something to inflate when we visit.

Sassy B is in the house, at home, but all the light up pumpkins are outside.

We have fun new Halloween night-lights.

Love how the cats eyes light up green.

Even the inside of the beer fridge is decorated for Halloween. I love this brew from Southern Tier: Imperial Pumking. It takes like pumpkin pie. 

Count Me Out

Monday, I'll be joining in a grassroot National Coming Out Day "Social Media Ambush."

The goal is to spread awareness about and support diversity, tolerance, and respect as well as anti-bullying and anti-homophobia efforts. The method is by having social media users (facebook, twitter, myspace, etc.) "donate" their profile picture to the cause on Monday, October 11th and throughout the following week, as well as using the tag #CountMeOut (for my twitter friends).

Read the full who/what/where/when/how and why here. The how is really easy - I've copied their instructions:

Go to http://www.pixlr.com/editor/
Select "Open image from computer" or "Open image from URL"
Select your image
TINT THE IMAGE:
In the bar at the top of the website click on "Adjustment"
It will open a drop-down menu. Select the option at the very bottom "Color Lookup"
It will open a selection of colors. Select the rainbow image (the fourth option)
WRITE "OUT" OR "ALLY":
Click on the letter "A" on the tool bar located on the left side of the website
Then click anywhere on the image, opening a text menu box.
Type "OUT" or "ALLY," select a font you like best, in either black or white
Click on the arrow symbol at the top-right of the tool bar, then click on the word
"OUT" or "ALLY" to move it into your desired position on the image.
SAVE:
Click on "File" at the very top left corner of the website.
It will open a drop-down menu. Click "Save."

Did you know?

• 86% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students experience some form of harassment in school each year because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
• Nearly half report being physically harassed and almost a quarter report being physically assaulted.
• Three out of five LGBT students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.
• Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are at a four times higher risk for suicide than their straight peers. 

All kids have a right to feel safe. If you read my post Friday about the new LGBT Center at CWRU, you might remember these words from the university president:

Every single member of our community is important, and each of us should strive to ensure our actions convey that message. Tolerance and respect are essential to our mission

I believe this statement applies to life in general, not just the university community. I hope you do, too.

We Support Autism Speaks, Do You?

From our long time friends in Columbus, Ohio. Will you support their team?

Dear Family and Friends,

Many of you know our son, Nate, who is ten years old. He has blonde hair, big blue eyes, and the most adorable smile. He loves trains, drawing, and is starting to learn to play the cello! Looking at Nate you would never know that he has a debilitating disorder known as autism. Autism affects every aspect of Nate’s life...and the lives of everyone around him. Nate has come a very long way since his diagnosis in the spring of 2003. Since then, he has learned to speak, to read, and to hold a conversation. In school, Nate is doing the same work as his 5th grade classmates with the help of an aide. But for all of his intelligence, Nate still cannot interact appropriately with others. He has trouble processing the world around him. He is capable of so much and we are doing as much as we can to help him reach his full potential- whatever that may be.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person’s ability to communicate, respond to their surroundings or form relationships with others. Autism spectrum disorders affect people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and occur in as many as one in 150 births, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. And the numbers are still rising! Currently the cause of autism is unknown. There are no specific medical treatments or a cure for autism. Most people with autism require lifelong supervision and care. Only 7% of children with autism go on to be independent. Recent studies suggest that more than 1 million Americans are living with an autism spectrum disorder. Despite the strikingly high prevalence of autism, autism research remains one of the lowest funded areas of medical research by both public and private sources. But funding for research is woefully inadequate. Only through biomedical research will we ever understand what causes autism and develop methods to diagnose autism. Someday, with your help, we will find a cure!

As a family, we have decided to make an effort to increase autism awareness. This year we are participating in the Columbus Walk Now for Autism. The Walk will be held in Columbus on October 10, 2010. There are so many ways that you can help our cause. You can choose to sponsor us in the event with a tax deductible donation or walk with us. (Walk link) The proceeds of the Walk will be used to support the efforts of Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the largest non- governmental supporter of autism research in the United States. If you are interested in finding out more about them, please check out their website http://www.autismspeaks.org/. Please help us raise money for this extremely important cause by increasing awareness among your friends and coworkers. We realize that there are many charities that vie for your attention, but any contribution, large or small, will be greatly appreciated.

As always, thank you for your consideration, support and prayers. It means more to us than we could possibly express. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
Dawn, Steve, Nate, Anthony, and Emily

So Proud of CWRU

The first week in October, during Homecoming Weekend, CWRU dedicated the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center inside Thwing, the student center on campus. It was so great to hear CWRU President, Barbara Snyder, speak at the event (see video below), and reiterate the support she gave in her official statement:

Every single member of our community is important, and each of us should strive to ensure our actions convey that message. Tolerance and respect are essential to our mission. We value the contributions of every student, staff and faculty member, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, political persuasion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Our classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, and other settings should be free of discrimination, to be sure, but that is not enough. We must recognize that we are fortunate to study and work in an environment where it is understood that our differences add to the richness of our learning. It is only from a wide array of experiences and insights that we together can achieve deeper appreciation and awareness of some of the greatest societal challenges of our time.

Back in the late 80s, one of the successes I was most proud of as a member of undergraduate student government (USG) was convincing the university administration to expand the non-discrimination policy to include on the basis of sexual orientation. We held a post-card drive: USG printed cards and made them available all over campus. Anyone on campus could sign the card (requesting the change) and drop it in campus mail to be delivered to the university President, Ag Pytte. This ploy got his attention, and a group of us were invited to meet with him to discuss the pros and cons. To us, as undergrads, the financial risk (that is, the risk the university could be sued), seemed negligible compared to the importance of being inclusive. He eventually agreed, and the University Board of Trustees approved a new non-discrimination policy. It has changed and improved in the last 20 years (I'll post it below the video); it's amazing to see CWRU truly embracing diversity and inclusiveness.



Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

Case Western Reserve University does not discriminate in recruitment, employment, or policy administration on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, or status as a disabled veteran or other protected veteran under U.S. federal law. In addition, the university expects all employees, students, vendors, and associates to comply with the policy of non-discrimination. The university intends to maintain an environment free of sexual harassment and will not tolerate any form of harassment of its employees, faculty, or students. Retaliation against persons raising concerns about discrimination, sexual harassment or harassment of any kind is prohibited and will constitute separate grounds for disciplinary action up to and including discharge or expulsion from the university.

Reading for the Record

Our local school district, including T's school and his class, are joining the fun for Reading for the Record today. A volunteer will visit his ESE class and read The Snowy Day aloud to the kids.

from amazon.com:

The Snowy Day, a 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, is the simple tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. Keats's illustrations, using cut-outs, watercolors, and collage, are strikingly beautiful in their understated color and composition. The tranquil story mirrors the calm presence of the paintings, and both exude the silence of a freshly snow-covered landscape. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day of humble adventures--experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day. Awakening to a winter wonderland is an ageless, ever-magical experience, and one made nearly visceral by Keats's gentle tribute.

The book is notable not only for its lovely artwork and tone, but also for its importance as a trailblazer. According to Horn Book magazine, The Snowy Day was "the very first full-color picture book to feature a small black hero"--yet another reason to add this classic to your shelves. It's as unique and special as a snowflake.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record©, presented in partnership with Pearson, is Jumpstart’s world record breaking campaign that brings children and adults together to read the same book, on the same day, in homes and communities all over the world. The campaign also kicks off Jumpstart’s yearlong program, preparing preschool children in low-income neighborhoods for success in school and life.

According to @LeonSchools, every school in the district is participating! In preparation for today, T and I discussed our other favorite snowy books, including Stranger in the Woods and First Snow in the Woods.