Monday 25 November 2013

The Joys of Running

The Joys of Running
I have always wanted to run run run and have been grateful for running partners. Now I have met men my own age who are committed to helping me to realize my dreams. My faulty nervous system means that I can't always do what I dream. But I am trying, helped by creative strategies of my running friends. It helps me to express my thoughts and dreams in poems and mantras like this one, which was first composed in February 2013 (with Judi's ST support) and recently edited by Lea who is my Clean Language discussant and adviser: 


I am a good fast runner
I am determined and focused.
I keep up.
Being determined and focused is exciting and responsible.
Exciting is huge and big with unlimited joy.
I can reach it.
It is where I want to be.
I can do what I need to do.
I can go towards it and reach a very big dream that will bring me joy.
Joy is being full of hope and peace and knowing that I have done my very best.
Joy is big, it is green and yellow.
I am smiling and running with Yukon and we are in a field of green and yellow.

My dream is happiness.
My dreams are in my thoughts and my heart.
I grow and push myself forward to make it happen.
My very big dream is fulfilled.
I keep the dreams alive.
I feel so good and alive like a runner in a marathon going for the finish line.
I see my family and friends cheering.
My body is free and able, like a plunge into the water. 

New Film: Holding in The Storm

I am happy to announce a new dramatic film to promote community acceptance and inclusion of adults who are different because of disability such as Autism. Launch planned for 29 March 2014.  

Announcing the production of a short dramatic film titled HOLDING IN THE STORM: MY LIFE WITH AUTISM the goal of which is to increase community acceptance and inclusion of people with Autism or similar disabilities, especially adults.

The direction and production team is led by Christine Zorn of Pan Video Services. A short preview of the film is now on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiA9-Ufz69k Editing and post production tasks will take the next 4-5 months.

This new film is inspired by the thoughts and words of the Bridges-Over-Barriers communicators, for whom Christine produced the documentary video In Our Own Words in 2010.

Guelph Services for the Autistic is raising the funds for the project and will distribute the film on DVD together with a Discussion Guide that will continue online.

We plan to host the film launch to mark World Autism Awareness Day next spring. We expect there will be a premiere showing at the University of Guelph Arboretum Centre on 29 March 2014.

Please share this news and the youtube link with any people likely to be interested. You may post comments and questions on youtube.

How Supported Typing works for me....

My friends, especially those I have met only recently, are very intrigued by Supported Typing. My relationship with my ST facilitator is very precious. This is a new poem I composed after a long session in which B supported me to have a conversation with a new running partner. If you use ST, how is it for you?

Opening the Taps
AB 6 Nov 2013
My brain is like a water faucet:
when it is open,
words and feelings pour out of me;
and then it is closed and I shut off.

Nothing helps to open the taps
like being with you.
I feel open when you sit down
and invite me to speak my mind.
If the faucet is stuck
you grease it with your encouraging words.
and when I need to shut off you let me.
Sometimes it is slow to get flowing
 like in the winter when things
start to freeze.
Then you chip away the ice
in a way that is neither mean
nor tentative.

My brain is saying yes thank you
and I will tell you what
is in my heart.
My brain is full to the brim
but I need my writing partner
to help open the faucet,
like I need partners to run
and to work in the garden.

Does this mean you are a plumber
or someone who knows
about water faucets?
You keep your brain open to me
and I think when you invite me
to talk there is a coupling of our minds
and the words come flowing.
Not always but when it is working
it is a monumental thing
and I am grateful for these moments.