I hope you don't mind me bringing this to your attention as it is a little off topic but it's something that greatly impacts a lot of people, even dancers. This October 31st there's a lot going on with Halloween and dark belly shows but there's also the 2009 Walk Now for Autism that's being held at the National Mall in DC. I can't go to this because both of my sons are autistic and they need their mommy home while Daddy is at school/work. I meet many other Belly Dancing moms who have children with Autism. We have the same stories, the same frustrations, the same cause to fight for.

But its not just immediate family members who should be concerned about this. So far the official count is 1 out of every 150 children born in America are on the Autism spectrum. The CDC considers this to be an alarming epidemic. If you intend to have children one day there is a 1 in 150 chance that your child will be born onto the Autism Spectrum and you will be exactly where I am and so many other Moms and Dads are right now. We're not looking for a cure because it isn't a disease. What we want is better education and adult programs for children in school and adults with Autism going into the workforce.

What I want to do is just ask you to go to Autism Speaks and learn a little bit about what Autism is and how you can learn to interact with autistic kids and adults. And if you want to take that a little bit further and look into donating to Autism Speaks or participating in the Walk for Autism on the 31st then that would be really great. Please help me, please help us all. Represent for the Bellydancing Friends & Family of Autistic Kids and Adults who can't be there. Thank you.

2009 Walk Now for Autism,
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The National Mall
www.walknowforautism.org/faf/h...lt.asp

~*Spoon*~