Last weekend my nonprofit, HomeLife21, was fortunate enough to share in a fundraiser with two other organizations, HabCorps and Autism MVP, at the Dublin House in Red Bank.
The entire event was put together by MaryBeth Glaccum and Denis O’Sullivan of Wallace Street Philanthropies, and it was fabulous.
There were bands. There was beer. I had about thirty family members and friends come out to support us.
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For me, it was like another mini-wedding, but in much more comfortable clothes.
It was an amazing day for me, coming off the exhaustion of prom drama and wrapping up a school year with students who are, like their teachers, just done. The universe afforded me a good night’s sleep the night prior, and I was able to put everything on the back burner, and just enjoy.
For this autism mama, that is a rarity.
I made a speech. I am a Marvel girl along with my teenaged son, and I felt it was important everyone heard our origin story.
It went well. I had fun. I held it together until the last line, which got me every single time I rehearsed.
“And choose who cares for our children, when we no longer can.”
That day there was dancing, and drinking. There were connections made, hugs, and appreciation for supporting all of us.
But amidst the beer and the great music, I said that line, because the reason we were there, the reason HomeLife21 exists, is not fun.
We exist because it is imperative that my son, and the four other young adult men we are representing, have safe and productive lives both in their daytime pursuits, and their residential living as well.
I made that speech because it is imperative that the adult residential landscape in New Jersey and across the nation be altered so families have more choices in where their children live, who they live with, and who takes care of them.
It will be our life’s work.
Thank you to everyone who supported us last weekend, and who continue to support us in our endeavor.
And as I said in my speech, our efforts are not just for us. We hope to pave the way for other families as well, make their journey just a little bit easier.
Our children’s lives depend upon it.
For more on my family visit my blog at autismmommytherapist.wordpress.com
Follow me on Facebook at Autism Mommy-Therapist
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