Step Up for Autism Awareness
If you haven’t been reading here for a long time, you may not know about where I work. I work for Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism (NSSA), which is a nonprofit agency that provides services to individuals with autism and their families. We have a day school program for 24 children between the ages of 5 and 21 and an adult program for those over 21. We also provide services to additional school-age children in their school district and in their home…as well as a one-week day camp in the summer, in-home respite and a Saturday recreation program. We offer training workshops for parents, two autism-friendly amusement park events each year and more!
I work in the front office as an administrative assistant, development and communications specialist, help with special events, I do most of the photography at the school and events, I do the blog, work on the newsletter, social media, etc., etc.
The work the teachers and consultants do is nothing short of amazing and being there for 12 years I have seen children grow into adults and each of them is amazing in their own way.
April is Autism Awareness Month – a time to promote awareness and acceptance of those with autism. We’re doing an awareness/fundraising campaign this month called Step Up for Autism, a virtual challenge that people can participate in from wherever they are. If they want to join in by walking or running, they can…and if they just want to make a donation from the comfort of their sofa, that’s just as appreciated!
I’m participating by pledging to walk 12 miles in April (for each of the 12 years I’ve worked at NSSA) and to raise $500. Twelve miles might not seem like a lot, but…I’m old and fat and slow (ha ha) and for me it’s a lot!
So this week the walking began (another thing I’ve added to my to-do list) and I’m three miles in, but intend to do more than my goal.
To help motivate me to move, I have some fun new workout gear. My navy cropped leggings are a gift from Catherines (Thanks!). This wonderful swingy, stretchy, lightweight white tee from Amazon is only $14, I’m in love. I have a striped one and a solid white one and they’re so good. And after much trial and tribulation, I finally got a replacement for my beloved Adidas sneakers – these Skechers memory foam sneakers with no tongue (yay) and bungee laces, so no need for bending over and almost asphyxiating myself while I try to tie my shoes! These have a lot of rubber between my heels and the ground, so…fingers crossed.
And…off I go!
What I’m Wearing:
- Catherine’s Essential Solid Capri Legging in navy, 3x.
- Daily Ritual Women’s Plus Size Jersey Short-Sleeve Scoop Neck Swing T-Shirt, 4x
- Skechers Arya sneakers
- Avenue waffle knit hoodie, 3x. Old. Comparable here
Photos by She Who Shall Remain Nameless, thank you!
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
Melissa
Love this post! I’m a new subscriber- came here off of Julia’s blog. Anyway, I like you even MORE because of this post. My daughter and husband are on the spectrum, so April is a VERY big month for me! Awareness has come a long way in just a few years, but the upward climb is far from over.
I was recently challenged at the airport because my daughter “doesn’t look autistic.” She is preboard for reasons, so I went into mama bear mode and stated I was fully prepared to engage in a long conversation regarding invisible disabilities. It will be nice when the general population of people stop judging and start accepting others a little more.
Anyway, THANK YOU for everything you do to support those families living in the front lines of awareness advocacy.
bettyewp
Well, I’m glad you came by, Melissa. I’m sure I can’t even imagine how challenging your life must be with a daughter and husband on the spectrum!
Speaking of the “upward climb” of autism awareness, we shared a touching blog post yesterday you might like to see… http://www.nssa.net/the-true-meaning-of-autism-awareness-day/
I’m sorry for your difficulties at the airport. I know we have a long way to go with educating professionals in ALL fields to be more aware of those with autism.
Keep climbing! xoxo
jodie filogomo
I love your photographer’s name…LOL!!
And good for you for getting out there, Bettye. We always love to walk in the warmer weather, but I don’t think we go quite that far. It’d be a good goal though!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
And mine is the lowest distance goal I’ve seen! I know I’ll do more, I just liked the poetry of 12 miles for the 12 years 🙂 And maybe I wasn’t clear, but it’s 12 miles for the MONTH. Not all at one time! With all your field trips, I’m sure you do at least that!
Susan
Well done, Bettye! Twelve miles might kill me, but I wish you all the best. Good to know you don’t have to do it all at one time.
In the summertime, I volunteer to drive the autistic kids. (Imma school bus driver, in case you didn’t know). If you meet their requirements, and supply what they need, they are so sweet! Unlike regular middle school kids, who NO ONE wants to drive anywhere. I know it’s not the middle schooler’s fault, but they are rowdy, ungrateful, late on a daily basis, rude, destructive, mouthy and generally, a bus driver’s nightmare.
When asked if I wanted to drive summer school, my reply was: Not if they’re middle school kids.
I applaud you for your job, and your commitment to raising all that money.
Now, about the outfit: I COVET those sunglasses. Could you list those on the outfit details next time? They look good on you, and they also look expensive.
bettyewp
Good for you, for driving the special need kids. I hear many shy away from that responsibility. We have some great bus drivers (they don’t work for us, they’re contracted through the students’ home school districts) who come to know and love the students. Not to say there aren’t challenges, but for the most part, the rides go well and we’re so appreciative that they get the students to us safely! Our kids come from all over Long Island, so some of them have hour-long rides each way just to get to us.
Oh gosh, sorry, I’ve listed the sunglasses before and just didn’t think of it this time! These are them -> https://shopstyle.it/l/1Htd They’re from Target, $15
Iris
Good for you – walking – and, it’s good FOR you.
I enjoyed reading more about your work place. I’m sure it’s very fulfilling.
Love the tee shirt, wish it was in regular sizes. And, sketchers have become my “go to” shoes.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
We were probably still on The Dock email list when I started that job 200 hundred years ago 🙂
The tee shirt does come in regular sizes https://amzn.to/2KgkN2H – white, black, grey, purple, red, olive green and striped. The Daily Ritual Amazon brand is really nice. Affordable, I’ve only heard good things from others about their items, and I have two and am very pleased. Good tee shirts are really difficult for me to find!
I never cared for the lightness of Skechers. I just feel sort of “ungrounded” in them. But lacing ease trumped groundedness this time.
Iris
See, after you were so nice to put a link to the regular size tee shirt, I still managed to find something wrong with it. The sleeves are too short (for me). I’m old/I have ugly upper arms – which I try to hide with sleeves a bit longer. Thanks for the info though.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
I think there are straight size long sleeved tees in the Daily Ritual line, if you’re interested 🙂 They’re just such nice shirts, I want everyone to know about them!
Mincero
Hey, your blog post is amazing, I love your content and website. Keep up the good work. Looking forward for more such amazing work from your side.