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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Crying Helps Me Write Better {Giveaway}

It took me about 20 minutes... 20 minutes of tears and blank stares at the computer screen while my 8 month old continuously sobbed in the background to write this paragraph that I'm writing right now.

My son is going through an extremely needy separation anxiety stage where he requires an arm and a heartbeat to place his head on otherwise the world is coming to an end. I feel bad for my 4 1/2 year old because she gets the short end of the stick these days with mommy focusing 80% on her brother, 10% on her (most of which is during classes - my daughter is home-schooled at the moment) and the other 10% on work.
I would say that's an unfair ratio, wouldn't you?
I try and balance my days as much as I can for my children (they are 1st priority) and then work. My blogging has been on the back burner as I have not only lacked time, but also ideas and inspiration.

This hurts me as a woman that has prided myself on my writing and the amazing and loyal readers that I have built in the 2 years that I have been actively writing and sharing my life with the online world.
Blogging was my escape and my chance to connect with other mothers and women out there during times when I really just felt very alone and needed to hear that I was doing okay. Doing okay as a mother that chose to say good-bye to her successful career and focus on my most important job, motherhood.

It wasn't until I received a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul's Inspiration for Writers that I finally felt like invisible hands were lifting my broken pieces of creativity and slowly gluing them back together.

"Balancing Motherhood, family life, and writing is not easy. With the stress  and duties of daily life, it's hard to find the time to sit down and write. And I sometimes feel like the world has enough writers. We don't need one more. Nobody needs to hear my words. 
Because who am I? Why should my words matter?
Well, my words do matter. All our words matter. They tell us who we are.
But words will never see the light of day without discipline.
Devoting time. Putting the word "write" onto an actual schedule to give it validity.
Your words represent who you are, and sometimes the duties of life can hide that person."
- Good Pasta by Mary C.M. Phillips, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers

"I feel fortunate to have found something I am passionate about, something that allows me to escape into the magical realm of make-believe on a daily basis. Ever since I regained my creativity, I appreciate it much more. Creativity solves problems and inspires curiosity. 
Creativity unleashes big, beautiful dreams. Nurturing my creativity has not only made me a better write, it has made me a better person -- more optimistic, compassionate, and open to life's unending possibilities."
- How I Got My Creativity Back by Dallas Woodburn, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers


Just before writing this post, I had one of the best cries I've had in a while.
I really, really needed that.
It has been a really rough past few weeks -- horrible bouts of viruses and tears, the stress of work and deadlines, motherhood and everything else in between has finally kicked my butt.

I am so grateful for the support of my husband and family that have taken the time out of their day, to give me more time in mine. To allow me to exhale and work on nurturing my artistry.
And most importantly, to help me to discover who I am once again and why I started doing this to begin with.

I also am grateful to those that amongst their busy schedules, take the time to pour themselves a cup of tea or coffee (or wine!) and click onto my blog and actually read what my heart is saying translated into words.
Thank you for that. It means a lot more than you think.

I want to allow my readers, especially to those that understand what I'm saying in this blog post; those that are seeking a writing awakening and encouragement, a chance to get their hands on a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul's Inspiration for Writers.
This book has helped me immensely and provided the motivation I need to start really writing again.
I hope it helps you.

"You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage -- pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically -- to say "no" to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger "yes" burning inside."
~ Stephen Covey

I'm giving away 3 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers - Budding or Bestselling - from Books to Blogs and all you have to do is to comment below telling me 
the reason WHY you started writing.
I'd love to hear it!

The giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents.
Ends Friday, June 14, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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