It may seem hard to believe, but this week is the 1st birthday of “Going the Distance.” This means that for the past year, I have been sharing my story and views of being neurodivergent.
Let me tell you that a lot certainly has happened in one year of “Going the Distance’s” existence. For one thing, my platform has expanded to include another partnership with Florida based Unicorn Children’s Foundation in addition to California based Autism Tree Project Foundation. This allows me to focus on a manner similar to the Walt Disney Theme Park Division where Disneyland and Disney World resorts are located.
So far, both partners have continued to grow and prosper over the past year and will continue to do so in the following year ahead.
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Already, Unicorn Children’s Foundation in particular, has made quite the splash with my first assignment with them being their 2022 Gala back in March in which we raised $50,000 to support those affected by neurodiversity/disability in the Southeast Florida region.
In addition, “Going the Distance” joined forces with Unicorn Children’s Foundation at the beginning of this month at Florida APSE’s annual conference in Jacksonville as two members, CEO Sharon Alexander and Dr. Kerri Morse, are president and board member respectively.
Heading into its second year, “Going the Distance” looks to continue building momentum with Unicorn Children’s Foundation beginning with our Family Fun Night on Wednesday July 27th at the Unicorn Connections Center in Boca Raton.
This is a night for families interested in learning more about what Unicorn has to offer and if you attend, I also will be signing copies of the book I contributed to, “This is Autism” by Jessica Leichtweisz and Aidan Allman Cooper. So, if you want me to sign you a copy, you know where to find me on July 27th or at any other in person event in the future.
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As for Autism Tree Project Foundation in San Diego, “Going the Distance” has been fortunate to continue working with ATPF via their “Lunch and Learn” online series which has been on Wednesdays since 2020.
In 2021, “Going the Distance” collaborated with ATPF on two events also with two chapters of the Teen Volunteers in Action program in addition to remotely contributing to their “Giving Tuesday” Telethon on November 30th.
This year, ATPF also moved to a new permanent location in La Jolla after spending 2020 and 2021 in a storage unit.
While I have not been able to be out in California so far in 2022 due to high airfares at the time of this blog, I am looking at going back out sometime in late 2022. So, stay tuned for any news that pops up regarding ATPF, including their annual Neuroscience conference this fall.
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Finally, I have already started to build ground on establishing another possible partnership with the Council for Exceptional Children, the nation’s premiere Special Education organization to reach out to school personnel (teachers, administrators and other school staff) about what it was like to go to school while on the autism spectrum.
Already, I have done three presentations of “School Safety Drills and Autism” for three of their branches virtually in Arizona, North Carolina and Michigan. However, there are several other presentations I would like to try and present at some point, including a presentation on how I dealt with School Assemblies and being on an IEP.
So far, the feeling between “Going the Distance” and the CEC has been mutual, and I look for it to continue being mutual in the months to come. If you are affiliated with the CEC and would like me to present for your branch’s in person or remote conference or training, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
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Stay tuned for Part 2 this week as I go over some more of what is to come for “Going the Distance” in its first full year of existence!!
Catch you all later!!
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