Autistic-ally Beautiful #Giveaway

Usually when logging onto Facebook, I see your typical updates from family and friends -- quotes, updates about them being back-to-school broke, toddler just learned to potty train, "Is it Friday yet?", what they are whipping up for dinner or how many km they ran that day and usually they come with pictures too including the sunset over Bora-Bora water or Eiffel Tower vacation pics that I so very much begrudge revel in.

Yesterday Monday morning, coffee in hand and ready to do some quick perusing and reading before the kids woke up, what I saw sprawled across my computer screen literally got my hands shaking.

This was what I read:

Brenda Millson (Grandmother) said this letter arrived at her home Friday from someone claiming to be a mother in the neighbourhood. (@lennonandmaisy/Twitter)

The person that wrote this and sent this to the family of a 13-year-old autistic boy was not only a woman claiming to be a fellow neighbour but also a mother.  

It broke my heart thinking how the family must have felt reading this.

I'm a mom myself and although none of my children are special needs children, does it even matter?

As a mom, I can't fathom the feeling of someone thinking and saying such hurtful things about my child -- I would be so bereaved and absolutely outraged.

I shared the letter plus my thoughts on my Facebook Page and received a lot of feedback from readers that were clearly as dismayed and shaken up as I was.

CAC Facebook Fans that took time to express their emotions on the hateful letter.

Max's Grandmother, Brenda Millson, was the one to receive the letter.

She said Max lives with his parents and older brother in Oshawa, Ont., but he had been visiting her home in Newcastle.

She said the author of the letter may have assumed she is Max's mother.

"At first I couldn't believe what I was reading," she said, adding that she was shaking in disbelief.

"It's just so sick."

Durham regional police said they have been investigating since Friday and that they are taking the letter seriously.

Max's mother, Karla Begley, 44, who is in a wheelchair with multiple sclerosis, said police told her they had never seen a letter "that despicable."

The Crown Attorney's Office in Ontario says the letter falls below the threshold for a hate crime, despite the hateful language, Durham Regional Police Service said in a release Tuesday.

However, police will consider whether the letter violates other Criminal Code issues.

Really? I would say it's pretty hateful, threatening even.

But this, this at least made me smile.

On Sunday night, at least 120 people waited outside the home for more than an hour in order show their support, Begley said. Families with autistic children drove in from Oshawa to show their support.

"Max was high-fiving everyone. He didn't understand but knew it was for him," Millson said.

Begley said support for the family following the letter has been "bittersweet," adding it's too bad it took such a letter to bring attention to a special-needs child.

"It's just a reminder, you know, you've got to treat these kids like they need to be treated," Begley said. "They just want to belong."

Anyone with any new information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Const. Thompson of the East Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1604.

Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.

We don't need Autism Awareness, we need Autism Acceptance.

I'd love to share a beautiful book from Chicken Soup for the Soul to one of my readers that are "Raising Kids on a Spectrum". It offers 101 Inspirational Stories for Parents of Children with Autism and Asperger's.

1) Simply 'Like' Carol Au Courant on Facebook and Leave a Comment underneath the Giveaway Photo above.

(Open to Canadian Residents only)

Contest ends September 1st.

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Credits: www.cbc.ca, 

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Opening Hearts & Rekindling Spirits: Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Book #Giveaway

The past few weeks have been very difficult for me and my family.

Aside from the stresses of day-to-day, we lost my father-in-law a few weeks back and that was really rough on our entire family.

This was also the first time my 4 and half year old daughter (and 10 month old son) attended a Funeral and of course we had to prepare ourselves for the questions that would be thrown at us.  

"Where is Lolo (Grandpa) going?" 

"Why is everyone crying and sad?"

"What happens when you die?"

"When will he wake up?"

"Will I see him again?"

Of course this is never easy -- losing someone you love and care for yet trying to keep strong for your children and answering their questions to the best of your ability.

Sometimes we question life and why things happen. We wonder why so many bad things happen in this world... especially to good people. Why no matter how hard we work, we still struggle and stress.

Why do we stress? Why do we hold onto anger? Why do we find it hard to forgive... and forget?

We have enough problems to deal with as it is. We need to start opening our hearts and rekindling our spirits. Finding the good in all circumstances and counting our blessings.

I read somewhere that if you were to throw your problems in a pile of others' problems, you'd probably grab yours back.

It's true.

Life goes on. 

You can never take back moments lost... cherish each one. Especially with those you love.

Use your time and energy to do what makes you happy. And never cease the opportunity to tell those you love how much they mean to you.

Of course the first book I grabbed in my hands during this rocky time the past few weeks was Chicken Soup for the Soul. I happen to have been sent their latest book which is the 20th Anniversary Edition and it couldn't have come at a more fitting time.

The twentieth anniversary edition of the original Chicken Soup for the Soul is brimming with even more hope and inspiration - the stories you’ve always loved, plus bonus stories, plus 20 bonus stories from today’s thought leaders.

You will find hope and inspiration in these 101 heartwarming stories about counting your blessings, thinking positive, and overcoming challenges.

If you're on Twitter, make sure to enter my Tweet to Win #CACInspire Giveaway to Win 1 of 3 Copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition.

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Personalized Books to Treasure for a Lifetime with Paper Hat Press

 

I was rummaging through my daughter's collection of toys, games and books one day in her room while attempting to do some early spring cleaning. I spent a few minutes reminiscing on the time we purchased each item for her, the sweet memories behind each one is priceless.

The grape juice stain on one the pages of her book, the missing eyeball on one of her bears... they all held a special memory.

It's one thing for us as parents to remember and share these with our children, but it's not always easy for them to remember for themselves.  They're too young.

This is why I have a fondness for personalized items. There's just something about seeing their name on something that gets them giddy with excitement and offers them a touch of super stardom (of course they are super stars in our eyes, right?)

On top of that, having their name on something let's them know that that particular item belongs just for them. And you know how territorial these kids can get.

I came across Paper Hat Press and knew I just had to have one of their custom hard cover books just for my little girl.

She loves to read!

What is so exclusive about this custom book is that it's very personalized to your child, not just with their name, but their appearance, their unique interests and qualities and even a chance to include the name of their sibling and parents/caregiver too.

Constructed in a beautiful hard cover filled with vibrant pages of images and a wonderful and engaging storyline, this is the perfect gift for your child, or even as a great custom gift for your niece, nephew, grand-child, etc.

It was extremely easy to create online.

You can even choose the child's eye/hair/skin colour and length of hair to resemble the child and another special add-on -- the ability to add a personal dedication in the beginning of the book.

It's like you're the author!

Just 3 easy steps and your custom book will be on it's way to you!

1) Choose a book based on the child's age and gender.

2) Personalize the book by simply entering basic and optional information about the child (name, birthday, favorite food, etc.) on the guided order form. Customize the character (choose eye color, hair color, length and style, skin tone) to resemble the child you are buying the book for. Add a personal dedication for the child.

3) Receive your personalized book within 1 week via express FedEx shipping, or within 2 weeks via standard FedEx shipping.

I was impressed with how quickly I received my book!

Each book comes specially wrapped in kraft paper that can be folded into a paper hat!

I was instantly satisfied with the book the moment I held it in my hands and with the cover alone.

The book was filled with 25+ pages of personalized content (so you're not just getting a hard cover book with very little pages -- this offers a lot more!) and the little girl in the book really reminded me of my Ava! From the hair right down to the boots. Amazing. I know the boots was a coincidence but just the appearance alone blew me away.

 

We chose Little Sparkle because I always tell my daughter that she lights up our world.

This is what we added as our special dedication to her right on the first page of her custom book.

I know that she can keep this book with her forever, even onto adult age and perhaps even share with her future daughter and always remember these cherished words from her Mommy and Daddy.

"May life never dull your sparkle. Shine Bright."

Reading the book together was such a treat for Ava.

The look on her face when she heard her name and even the name of her brother... priceless!

There are a lot of things I love. Products I endorse, recommend, and share with my audience. But I have to say that this may just be one of my absolute favourites.

It's one of those items that really tug at your heart strings and will forever hold a special place in your heart and those of the ones you love.

Our next purchase will definitely be for our little boy.

Currently the books are on sale for $31.95 from the usual $39.95, so it's a great opportunity to jump on it! 

PLUS, receive 25% off your next order by entering code PAPER25.  

If you want to learn more about Paper Hat Press and their selection of books, visit them at: www.paperhatpress.com.

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The New Colour of Passion is Grey

If you haven't read about the book yet, you've surely heard of it.
You're either absolutely smitten and in love with this sexy erotic trilogy or plain 'ol sick of it. However you feel, there's no denying that E.L. James' Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy is sweeping the nation of women everywhere.

Carol Au Courant along with PTPA Media Inc. and a couple of other fabulous Social Media names passionate about this novel are ready to spice up the Twitter world with our Fifty Shades of PTPA Tweet Chat on Twitter happening June 21st from 9pm - 10pm EST at #50ShadesPTPA.


*NO RSVP required*
Steamy Conversation, Sensual Prizes and lots of Flirty Fun! You don't want to miss this!

One of our Prize Sponsors, STLTO Wine, is also running a special contest along with our #50ShadesPTPA Chat! Wow! So many amazing things going on in anticipation of this chat -- enter today!

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Hunger Games vs. Battle Royale?

The Hunger Games, Battle Royale and Lord of the Flies.

When The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, first came out, it received a lot of criticism about being really similar to Battle Royale, a 1999 Japanese novel written by Koushun Takami. Due to all the comparisons, I actually set out to read Battle Royale for myself after finishing The Hunger Games trilogy. I found the books to have a similar approach with a survival game, but there were also a lot of differences between the two novels.

Here’s the pitch: The state forces kids into a death match where only one is left standing.

That’s “The Hunger Games,” right? Yes, but it’s also the storyline for “Battle Royale,” the brutal, harrowing and little-seen Japanese film that beat “Hunger Games” to the plot by 12 years. And that film was based on a 600-page Japanese novel published in 1999.

But with “Hunger” hysteria at a high point, “Battle Royale”—which Quentin Tarantino called his “favorite movie of the last 20 years”—might finally get the attention it deserves. This week, Anchor Bay, hungry for some of that “Hunger Games” action, has just released a four-disc repackaging, “Battle Royale: The Complete Collection,” on DVD and Blu-ray.

Set in a near-future Japan where youth crime has spiraled out of control, Kenji Fukasaku’s tense, tragic and timely film focuses on a group of 42 students who are taken to a deserted island overseen by the bullying Kitano (played by the always steely Takeshi Kitano).

They’re given a deadline (three days), a duffel bag (each with different weapons and implements), and an order to slaughter each other until there’s just one survivor. If they refuse to cooperate, all will be killed.

They did not have training at all compared to in the Hunger Games instead where caught completely off guard which was actually even more intense and creepy to me.

Most tributes had a skill and knowledge based on which district they lived in, since they were trained and had worked since they were young. On the other hand, most of the students in Battle Royale were completely unprepared and had no prior experience with weapons whatsoever.

Imagine “Lord of the Flies” with gunplay and sharp metal objects and you’ve got the idea.

But when “Battle Royale” hit the film market in 2000, it couldn’t have been released at a worse time. In Japan, where it was a hit, it was hotly debated in terms of glorifying violence. Though “Battle Royale” played in at U.S. film festivals, it never received theatrical distribution and some speculated that—coming a year after the Columbine massacre and a year before 9/ 11—that no one in the early 2000s wanted to go near it.

A decade on and “Battle Royale” has built up a fiercely loyal following after being released on video a few years back. They came out in force to see it at last year’s Asian Film Festival of Dallas. And there’s been a virtual war online as “Battle Royale” and “Hunger Games” fans go at each other like they’re the last two survivors in this ongoing teenage war that makes the whole vampire vs. zombie vs. werewolf thing so last year.

“’Hunger Games’ is like another ‘Twilight,’ taking a (great) concept and (weakening) it with a love triangle that bores the (life) outta me,” charged one “Battle Royale” fan on a You Tube “Battle Royale Vs. Hunger Games” page.

“In every ‘Hunger Games’ post, a ‘Battle Royale’ fan has to pop up and claim it’s a ripoff,” moaned one “HG” loyalist on another blog.

Now, with “The Hunger Games” finally hitting theaters and “Battle Royale” getting a renewed push, movie fans will be able to make up their minds about which they prefer.

Overall, both stories were exciting, intense, and enjoyable reads. The writing styles of each novel was different, as the Japanese Battle Royale was more complex in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure than The Hunger Games. 

If you loved reading (and watching) The Hunger Games, you should most definitely give Battle Royale a try! 

Credits: blog.ningin.com

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