We Were Blue...Were You?

Each April 2, Autism Speaks celebrates Light It Up Blue along with the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day. Light It Up Blue is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores are among the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities that take part to Light It Up Blue.

My personal favorite is seeing some of our beautiful Canadian landmarks lit up in this way.
 

While this blog post is not part of our featured Community Charity Champions we do still feel that much more awareness needs to be raised on this topic.
 

Chances are you know someone who has autism or someone with a child who has autism as approximately 1 in 95 children are born with some form of this neurological disorder.
 

Personally I have had the privilege to meet 3 amazing kids with autism ~  both through personal acquaintances and co-workers. Lighting it up Blue isn't doesn't only support people with autism, but also the families and workers who support and care for them.

 

Sock Monkey Mamas lent it's own support by creating a special sock monkey just for the occasion. Just as other causes have a special ribbon that represent them the autism ribbon is very unique. It features brightly coloured puzzle pieces ~ which is just what our sock monkey looks like :)

 

We names our monkey "Blue" to honour this special day (which coincidentally is also the birthday of our Monkey Mama Linda!!!). Blue went to live with a very special little guy who has autism. We are really looking forward to pictures of them together!

 

For anyone interested in getting a glimpse of what it is like for a person with autism you should watch the movie Temple Grandin starring Claire Danes (one of my favorite actresses). This movie was recommended to me by the head of the local autism chapter and is truly inspiring. Here is one of my favorite Temple quotes:

 

 

“The worst thing you can do is nothing.

 

(re: teaching children with autism)”  

― Temple Grandin