Archive for the ‘Foundation Updates’ Category
Buddy Bike
December 8th, 2010 | 
Author: For those who know me best know that I LOVE to ride my bikes. One thing that I, and many other parents with Special Needs children never get to do is go for a bike ride.
I found Buddy Bike on Facebook and wanted to share their link with you……Great job!
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JT’s Xmas Sled Story!
Well once again the Holiday Season is upon us and it this time of year that we share stories that warm our hearts and bring a tear and smile to our faces.
This is why once again The JT Foundation for Autism Awareness wants to share JT’s Sled story. Please enjoy this true story and share with your frinds and family …..Happy Holidays to ALL!
Circa…..Holiday Season 2008
This story begins the day after JT’s visit with Santa. You see, JT is an eight year old young man who loves Santa Claus. In fact, last Christmas all JT wanted was a “Santa Suit” which his Mom made sure he got, with a furry hat and a big red coat. JT loves to play Santa taking things from around the house and bringing them to guests as his way of gift giving.
When JT saw Santa this year he already knew what he wanted, but to his mother’s surprise it was not something that she could order on line, or go to the toy store to purchase because JT whispered to Santa that he would like Santa to leave him Santa’s Sleigh.
Christmas time is a time of miracles, but to actually get a Santa Sleigh built for an 8 year old was much to much to ask for. JT’s mom and dad went on the hunt; store after store and magazine after magazine, but no sleigh was sturdy enough for an 8 year old autistic child to play in. If you know about autism, you know once a child gets the idea about something, that is all they talk about and think about. No one wanted little JT to be disappointed but we have no master carpenters in the family and we had no one to find this item. With less than 3 weeks till Christmas, JT’s mother asked Grandma (better know as Memom) to see if she could help.
Memom went to every hardware store in her town and in the next town next over. Lots of people tried to come up with ideas but, no one was able to find a catalogue or locate a sled. We found a few for the lawn, decorations and thought we had what we needed, but at a close look they would not hold up for play.
Memom went into a flower shop in the next town, a very exclusive shop that makes custom arrangements, and just maybe they could find a sleigh. Three young ladies talked to Memom and they too tried, but still no sleigh. Soon, a lady named Vicky came and asked if she could help. She was told of young JT and his desire to have Santa’s sled. In a flash she drew a perfect sleigh and said , “There, see? That is what you need.” With a sad look Memom said, “You are right, but we have no way to get one.” Vicky asked for a little time to talk to her husband and see if he could help with the project.
Happily she phoned her daughter and said I got the sleigh (I think), her daughter was thrilled and asked what will it look like, Memom wasn’t sure, so her daughter asked what will it cost? Memom wasn’t sure. The last question: when will it be ready?
Memom wasn’t sure. With so many unknowns, JT’s mom wasn’t sure if Christmas would really satisfy her little child. Memom and Vicky phoned back and forth and Memom had the confidence that the sleigh would be perfect. Others who didn’t meet Vicky were doubtful and unsure if this unknown lady would really help and what price would we have to pay considering that Memom went into a very exclusive shop to ask for a custom sleigh to be made.
On the Sunday before Christmas Vicky called Memom, the sleigh is ready and I would like to put his name on it, and so with the artistic hands and love of one of Santa’s helpers Vicky and her husband put together Santa’s Sleigh.
Mommy and Daddy, along with grandpop, picked up the sleigh and Memom (jumping out of her skin waited at home with JT and his little sister). What would her daughter say when she phoned that the sleigh was picked up? Was this truly the Christmas miracle that we all wait all our lives for? Twenty minutes passed, thirty minutes passed, and then the phone rang. With tears in her voice Memom heard, “You did great, it is beautiful and we did get a Christmas Miracle!” Vicky and her husband would not accept money for their gift of love, they only wanted to help JT to have his Christmas dreams come true.
Vicky and her husband taught everyone what Christmas is all about; it is sharing the love in your heart. Thinking of others when you are so busy and really have no time for one more project.
On Christmas morning when JT wakes, I am sure the first thing he will put on will be his Santa Suit, and then he will come out on the porch, with cotton snow all around, his Mom and Dad will say, “Look, Son! Santa came, and he did what he said he would do! He left his sleigh, and now it is yours. Look, JT, it says, ‘Santa’s Sleigh’, JT!”
Thank you for listening to my story and please join us in prayer that next year, JT doesn’t ask for Santa’s reindeer!
Dolphins in Bay Head
What a beautiful open water swim this morning with the Team for Autism Awareness. Not only was the water beautiful but there was a pod of dolphins swimming past us as we prepared to get in the water. ..
Talk about inspiration!
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Eagleman Race Report: Maggie Freeman
Morning of the race, Marcel and I were parked by 5am and already in transition. I was super pissed when I heard the “no wetsuit” announcement. I have a skinsuit but did not bring it for all week they were saying wetsuit legal for sure. As you know, the swim is definitely my weakest link and I had a serious bike crash on May 20 in which I separated my shoulder. I was contemplating just baggin the whole race but I decided to go for it.
My wave went off and I remained calm. I was focusing on long strokes and trying not to panic as I was literally getting swam on top of. I thought I was swimming great! My sighting was right on and everything. I am normally a 42-45 min half ironman swimmer and with my injury and the current, I was thinking I would be 50 plus minutes. Imagine my disappointment when I got out of the water in 1:06!!!!
Got over it and got onto the bike and started to hammer away. I wanted to average over 22 mph for the course. I came close. Think i did not drink enough though and my shoulder was sore in the aeero position but I would not give up.
Onto the run, or the death march. I got out on the course and it was mass carnage. People were walking everywhere. I vowed that I would not walk, no matter what. Thank goodness for all the people who came out to hose us down with garden hoses! The aid stations were well stocked and I hit every one. Had to use the port o john once, which meant I was hydrated so I did not mind stopping for a minute. The run course did not have mile markers and it seemed to go on forever. I got to see several other familiar athletes on the course and everyone was suffering. Finished the race and went straight home. had to work the next day.
Was hoping for a Kona spot but with my injury and the performance I gave (my worst) it was just not meant to be. Hopefully Timberman will be a better race for me.
Tough Mudders
Some Tough Mudders!
Wanted to pass along major PROPS to the 2010 Tough Mudders Team. Headed by police Officer Brian Mansfield the team climbed, slid, ran, jumped, ran through fire, and basically fought through 7+ miles of what they called HELL. Oh and this was all for fun…..and beer at the end.
These guys represented the Team for Autism at this event and we want to give them a major Thank YOU>
Team Captain Wall Township Officer Brian Mansfield!
