I'm stomping my feet tonight. I didn't want to leave that comfy river of denial. I didn't. I know I needed too. I did it. It still sucks.
This morning, I took Matthew (7yr old) to a follow up appointment with his psychologist. At the end, I asked some questions about the referral process here (we're in a fairly new city to us). For Noah (3yr old). For an ASD evaluation. *sigh*
It's hard to know if he's mimicking behaviours he's grown up watching his brother do, or if he really does fall on the spectrum.
Some days, he appears so neurotypical. Other days... well, not so much.
The covering his ears at normal sounds, the demands to cut all tags out of his clothes, screaming that they hurt. The speech regression he had around 18mos. The demands to have things the same way... It feels like an all to familiar path. One even though we've walked, and are still walking with Matthew, still seems so foreign. So uncomfortable. Down right scary even.
On the plus side (I guess if I need to find the silver lining this is it), Matthews doctor asked that we bring Noah with us to Matthews next follow up appointment in six weeks. We're truly by passing a huge wait list, and for that I'm grateful. I have no clue what he'll do with Noah at the next appointment. I'm sure afterwards I'll be cussing and screaming some more.
I'm still confused why the only question he asked was "Is he clumsy?"
It sucks going down this path in an unfamiliar city too. At least in our old city, I knew the process, the contacts. I knew the doctors, I knew what to expect. Here I don't. I feel like a fish flapping on dry land. Not sure where to go, or who to call.
This fucking sucks donkey balls.
(Yes, I just really said that.)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A4CWSN, Non profit or Not?
So, even though *I* know A4CWSN is not a nonprofit, I've heard from people who thought it WAS. I'd like to help clear the air here. "Very Special People Inc" is supposed to be the non profit sister to A4, also known as VSP, Inc
A4CWSN's Gary James has led a lot of people to believe his site is a non profit. I mean, I have come across many links where A4CWSN claim non profit/charity status.
I have also found more articles than I can count where it states that A4 is a non profit. Why weren't there any corrections done to any of these articles?
Gary James has lead a lot of people to believe a lot of things... seems to be a repetitive pattern here.
Then following pictures show where clearly it states that A4CWSN is a Non Profit, or becoming a non profit.
Again, some of us knew that it was more likely he was referring to VSP, Inc, but with constant new comers to the facebook page, how were they to know? Or non active members. It's easy to be confused.
In this picture A4CWSN is described as a Charity.
A4CWSN's Gary James has led a lot of people to believe his site is a non profit. I mean, I have come across many links where A4CWSN claim non profit/charity status.
I have also found more articles than I can count where it states that A4 is a non profit. Why weren't there any corrections done to any of these articles?
Gary James has lead a lot of people to believe a lot of things... seems to be a repetitive pattern here.
Then following pictures show where clearly it states that A4CWSN is a Non Profit, or becoming a non profit.
Again, some of us knew that it was more likely he was referring to VSP, Inc, but with constant new comers to the facebook page, how were they to know? Or non active members. It's easy to be confused.
The above photo came from a video Gary James posted
The following screen shots will highlight articles where it shows that a4cwsn is a "non profit". I will NOT be sharing linky-dos to any of these articles which are found in a google search, I want to try and protect developers and businesses who were mislead. I will be sharing lots pretty pictures though :)
In this picture A4CWSN is described as a Charity.
Just because Gary James has created another company (VSP, Inc) does NOT mean it replaces A4CWSN.
A4CWSN is NOT A NON PROFIT!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
What hurts the most
As the days pass by, and more ex-members of a4 share their stories with me, I'm left with my heart heavy and hurting.
Late last night, another mama and blogger posted her thoughts and feelings. (linky-do)
I am not near as eloquent as she, but she puts to words what a lot of us are feeling. Questions we'd like answered.
Previous to that, two other mama posted their thoughts and feelings on their blogs as well (linky-do 1, linky-do 2 - she has several posts, so make sure to check them all out.)
These are woman who worked so hard to help build a4 as a community. Helped those who have now deleted and blocked us from their friends list become recognized, so that they too could get an iPad (Part of the rules are to actively participate).
I wish I had the words to explain to all of you how much this has hurt. Deep down to our cores. To learn that some of who we considered to be our friends, that you're calling us names behind our backs, some at least have the decency to do it to our faces.
There is this huge divide and I wish I could find the words to express to you still on the other side why it is we are fighting so hard. We use humour as protection, but still, then our humour is turned on us. (PS, we spell humour in Canada this way, it's not a friggin typo! - See comic relief!).
I understand peoples desire to protect a4, and Gary James. I understand your innocent until proven guilty.
What I don't understand is how you can turn your backs on your friends, on people you called family? People you had daily conversations with? Even if you do not agree with their belief.. whatever happened to agree to disagree?
How you allow someone to dictate to you who you can and cannot be friends with? (He has said, anyone who is friends with any of us will not be getting any help from him!)
How you can stand by and watch this same person vilify these same people? These people who helped him build his community to what it is?
How you sit by quietly while those he promised apps to (50/50/50 tour) are now being denied those apps because he's angry at them. For asking questions for pete sakes!
How you can sit back and condone his behaviour on this blog, on twitter and on facebook.
It truly baffles my mind. Even if I didn't know all that I know, if I saw a friend being hurt this way, you're darn right I would be there standing up for my friend! Going hey! WTF! You don't treat people that way!
Some of you claim that we're drama seekers, or attention seekers, or something equally as foolish. Have you stopped to think that man, this can't be easy for them either? Maybe they're telling us this stuff over and over and over again because they really do care?
I have been asked why do I keep blogging about this, why don't I just leave well enough alone? The answer is because I care. Even though I am hurt, and I could easily walk away, I care. Even about those who have deleted and blocked me.
Even if you don't agree, I feel as though you are being taken advantage of. I do not wish anybody to be taken advantage of. Even those who I don't know.
Late last night, another mama and blogger posted her thoughts and feelings. (linky-do)
I am not near as eloquent as she, but she puts to words what a lot of us are feeling. Questions we'd like answered.
Previous to that, two other mama posted their thoughts and feelings on their blogs as well (linky-do 1, linky-do 2 - she has several posts, so make sure to check them all out.)
These are woman who worked so hard to help build a4 as a community. Helped those who have now deleted and blocked us from their friends list become recognized, so that they too could get an iPad (Part of the rules are to actively participate).
I wish I had the words to explain to all of you how much this has hurt. Deep down to our cores. To learn that some of who we considered to be our friends, that you're calling us names behind our backs, some at least have the decency to do it to our faces.
There is this huge divide and I wish I could find the words to express to you still on the other side why it is we are fighting so hard. We use humour as protection, but still, then our humour is turned on us. (PS, we spell humour in Canada this way, it's not a friggin typo! - See comic relief!).
I understand peoples desire to protect a4, and Gary James. I understand your innocent until proven guilty.
What I don't understand is how you can turn your backs on your friends, on people you called family? People you had daily conversations with? Even if you do not agree with their belief.. whatever happened to agree to disagree?
How you allow someone to dictate to you who you can and cannot be friends with? (He has said, anyone who is friends with any of us will not be getting any help from him!)
How you can stand by and watch this same person vilify these same people? These people who helped him build his community to what it is?
How you sit by quietly while those he promised apps to (50/50/50 tour) are now being denied those apps because he's angry at them. For asking questions for pete sakes!
How you can sit back and condone his behaviour on this blog, on twitter and on facebook.
It truly baffles my mind. Even if I didn't know all that I know, if I saw a friend being hurt this way, you're darn right I would be there standing up for my friend! Going hey! WTF! You don't treat people that way!
Some of you claim that we're drama seekers, or attention seekers, or something equally as foolish. Have you stopped to think that man, this can't be easy for them either? Maybe they're telling us this stuff over and over and over again because they really do care?
I have been asked why do I keep blogging about this, why don't I just leave well enough alone? The answer is because I care. Even though I am hurt, and I could easily walk away, I care. Even about those who have deleted and blocked me.
Even if you don't agree, I feel as though you are being taken advantage of. I do not wish anybody to be taken advantage of. Even those who I don't know.
So I'll keep googling. I'll keep blogging. Until we all get answers to these questions.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Who IS Gary James?
If you've been member of a4cwsn for any length of time, you'll have seen and noticed that Mr James likes to share that he worked for the Rolling Stone. After some googling, you guessed it, this fact about Mr James appears as well to have been a stretch of the truth. I also recently did another blog post about some of the deception that has come to light regarding a4cwsn and Mr James (linky-do)
(Don't worry, I have tons of pretty pictures and linky-dos for you!)
So, Let me show you what has been discovered about this claim.
In this picture, he shares with #storyappchat that he was in Marketing for Rolling Stone AND Google
(Don't worry, I have tons of pretty pictures and linky-dos for you!)
So, Let me show you what has been discovered about this claim.
In this picture, he shares with #storyappchat that he was in Marketing for Rolling Stone AND Google
In this screenshot, he says that he worked for Rolling Stone again, on Facebook
Next will be a bunch of screen shots from different articles related to a4cwsn and Gary James, I will include linky-dos after pictures.
So, we see all of these wonderful articles and how he time and time again mentions that he worked for Rolling Stone, correct?
Well, let me show what he actually did now. Linky-do
For the non link clickers and just because I love me some pretty pictures.
I underlined the keyword in that paragraph there. Butler. Yes, folks. That's right. He was a Butler. Also known as an Estate Manager.
As we know, Mr James is also always mentioning his Olympic career.
" Gary James wasn’t always a butler. A track-and field star in his native England, he loved nothing
more than running, jumping and competing.
Back then, his life wasn’t about serving; it was about
striving, sweating and sprinting." - Direct quote from above posted Linky-do
He may have certainly worked for Wenner Media, managing that building, other quotes from him imply that he was working AT Rolling Stone Magazine. His work for LA Reid/Roger Waters was as an estate manager/butler, still a really sweet gig in my opinion. No shame in that. However he has misrepresented himself as having worked in PR/Marketing for Rolling Stone Magazine.
I also have this email.
The Gary James who submits interviews to (removed for privacy).com is NOT the same Gary James that appears in the video that you sent us a link to. Our Gary lives in Syracuse and is a retailer when he is not interviewing people.
I will forward your e-mail on to our Gary and let him provide you with any further information that you may need.
regards
(Name removed for privacy)
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012
To Whom it May Concern,
Please read this, I would really appreciate it!
I found your website while trying to get to the bottom of a controversy in the Special Needs Community.
There is a gentleman fundraising in the SN community who's name is "Gary James" and claims to have worked for Rolling Stone Magazine.
I have posted a link to show you where he states that and a picture of the gentleman in question. All I need to prove that this gentleman is NOT the Gary James that worked for Rolling Stone is some sort of Photo to prove they are NOT the same person. Can you please help? Also, if this is NOT the same person, can you PLEASE give my contact info to the "real" Gary James?
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I am only trying to get to the bottom of this and expose the truth so I can help clear up this situation. If you can shed any light on this, it would be very much appreciated.
Link with info about the "Gary James" in question. You will see he clearly states he worked for Rolling Stone Magazine.
http://autism-light.blogspot.com/2011/10/gary-james.html
- autism-light.blogspot.com
It seems that he figured some people would google Gary James and Rolling Stone Magazine and come across this gentleman, linky-do - He did indeed write for Rolling Stone Magazine.
If you simply google Gary James and Rolling Stone Magazine, you can clearly see how people would assume he worked for Rolling Stone Magazine. Linky-do
We are given half truths and he doesn't bother to correct them.
I do not doubt that he's rubbed elbows with some influential folks. I do believe it's a stretch to say you worked for Rolling Stone Magazine as a butler though.
It's kind of like saying you worked for Oprah, when in fact you only cleaned the Harpo Building.
This man has obviously represented himself as someone who he aspires to be, someone he has never been.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
a little piece of feel good
In light of recent events, I wanted to take a moment to share a blog post that isn't filled with venomous comments and hate speech (err, not from me, the comment section, damn those hatters!) Which isn't to take away from that situation at all. 'Cause that shits just c.r.a.z.y.
Moving on though,
The other night I was talking with my sister. She's been following the blog posts, and obviously she has heard my first hand account of my experience. Anyway, she came across this video and then shared it with me. I know the situation in the video is unlikely to happen.
If nothing else though, I am hoping to remind everyone to think of those around you. Remember to to be kind. I know this sounds all wishy-washy, lovey-dovey, blah blah blah. But seriously. Just watch the effing video.
(Please note, comment section is still open, however, if it goes down the same path of the venomous, hate speech, I *will* be deleting. This is a feel good post. Any assholes need not comment).
Moving on though,
The other night I was talking with my sister. She's been following the blog posts, and obviously she has heard my first hand account of my experience. Anyway, she came across this video and then shared it with me. I know the situation in the video is unlikely to happen.
If nothing else though, I am hoping to remind everyone to think of those around you. Remember to to be kind. I know this sounds all wishy-washy, lovey-dovey, blah blah blah. But seriously. Just watch the effing video.
(Please note, comment section is still open, however, if it goes down the same path of the venomous, hate speech, I *will* be deleting. This is a feel good post. Any assholes need not comment).
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