June 26, 2010
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I told Katie and Mark about what you did and they both were overwhelmed with the love that you have spread. I was so moved that I posted the story on their blog. They have truly been amazing in their ability to take perspective because although they are in so much pain and truly saddened they find comfort in knowing that Taylor's story can in some way move people to be and do better.
They started this blog so that anyone can post Random Acts of Kindness that are done in Taylor's honor. The quilt, the banner, your support, and the necklace charm are all perfect examples of how your kindness has supported me. I hope that any of you will feel free to post any ways in which you are moved to do something (in whatever way big or small) for someone else because of Taylor's story... Every act of kindness is special and those done in honor of Taylor give Katie and Mark the fuel they need to go on.
Elizabeth and Dayna- I hope you pass this note along to everyone to let them know how deeply I was touched and honored. Elizabeth please especially let Gena know how much I appreciate the necklace charm. Dayna, please let Kathy Wright know how much I love my quilt!!!!
Lots of love,
Courtney Olinger
An excerpt from the Random Acts of Kindness blog:
Last Saturday, the Autism Tree Project Foundation (ATPF-San Diego) and the Del Mar chapter of National Charity League (NCL) held a Mother Daughter Tea to honor moms of daughters diagnosed with autism (and their daughters). Even though the event was for autism, Dayna Hoff, the director of ATPF planned a special craft for the girls to do in honor of Taylor that will be sent home to Katie and Mark.
At that event, Dayna gave me a prayer quilt that was made for me by a church here in Point Loma. She had not told them what design to do. The quilt is bright beautiful colors with butterflies all over. Dayna had heard what a special symbol butterflies have been to Katie and Mark and knew it was special just for Taylor when she saw it. She had not mentioned butterflies to anyone and couldn't believe when three of the girls showed up for the event with butterflies on their outfits. I explained that butterflies have been a symbol of hope and have been everywhere. There wasn't a dry eye in the house and just then one of the mothers looked down at her necklace and said "I have tons of charms. I just happened to put my butterfly one on today for no reason... obviously it was for you". She took it off and gave it to me.
Thanks to ATPF, NCL, & Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church for your random acts of kindness.
-Taylor's aunt Courtney
June 22, 2010
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My daughter had a wonderful time and on the way home she actually said, "Baby worm loves you Mommy." My daughter spends a lot of time pretending to be different animals and I am the mommy animal. For the last few weeks, she has been baby worm and I have been mommy worm. My daughter hasn't said I love you since last year and even though this was Baby worm loves you Mommy - I knew what she meant. It was the perfect ending to a great adventure with my daughter and I was so happy to hear those words. I know my daughter loves me and shows me in her own words but still there is something really powerful in hearing it from her.
I just thought I would share and thank you and the other volunteers for all their help with this project.
Thanks again! Erin Wescott
June 1, 2008
I stumbled on the Autism Tree Project quite by accident. I was convinced my then 3 year old son was autistic. However, since he was “high functioning,” it was hard to get support for my idea, let alone intervention. So I searched the web and found a preschool training seminar being run by ATP the next night. It was clearly a private party for pre-school teachers that were required to be there and I was quite out of place, but not for long.
The fact that a “random parent” showed up was an exciting sign to them that their word was getting out. The fact that they immediately embraced my attendance was a sign, they wanted to help.
The discussion was fascinating as all the teachers were immediately in agreement that they have ASD kids in their classes that need help. The “signs and stories” were all so familiar to them. These stories were all so familiar to me too. I left there with a new confidence that I am the one who knows most about my son. I am the one that needs to tell others, not ask others, that he is autistic.
This prompted me to write an essay to my pediatrician telling her what behaviors I saw and how I knew he needed help. This was a letter that ended up to be 8 pages long and left little argument over the diagnosis. My son received the diagnosis only a few weeks later. And only a few weeks after that, he was enrolled in SDC, ABA, became a regional center client, and had speech and occupational therapies.
While the path through early intervention is a bit bumpy to say the least, my son has traveled far from the days of spraying a squirt bottle in the backyard for 8 hours a day. Now he is excited to attend school, greets his parents and family, and interacts with his siblings. I never would have imagined him able to do these things just a year ago. Early intervention has clearly given my son a future.
The Autism Tree Project was the catalyst for this process. That first meeting I attended out of chance taught me to take the first step in helping my son. At every milestone my son now meets, I am prompted to call my friends as ATP and report the success that has come from their efforts.
Grateful,
Barbara Beach
