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Hi all. I'm fifty years old. I've been divorced about 10 years. I'm a single parent of 2 daughters. The eldest is 21 and about to start college. The youngest is 11, and she has asperger's syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum. Like many, we struggle with poverty and related issues. I have scoliosis that is severe enough to cripple me. I can still walk, but it's with a limp and a lot of pain. There is so much I want and need to do for my family but I always come up short, because of my limitations.

I'll try to state my needs as concisely as possible. My whole family needs dental work. I'm actually missing some front teeth and it would really help me professionally to get those fixed. I really wish I could start some kind of business that would just provide a living wage and let me be a full-time mom. My youngest daughter needs at least one full-time parent, and her dad's not in the picture at all. She has a lot of social problems because of her disorder. Because of that, I have been homeschooling her since 4th grade, and she is now going into 7th. I wish I could afford some sort of private school for her. Public school really put her self esteem on the floor, and I place no faith there. She is extremely intelligent, and I don't feel I'm giving her the education she deserves by homeschooling. It's just the best solution we have for now. When she went to public school, she cried every morning when I dropped her off, and usually came home crying. It was horrible. You wouldn't believe what kids, and even some adults, so-called professionals, will say and do to a kid that is different.

 My oldest daughter is an angel. She has practically given up her childhood since her father left us with nothing, just to help me cope with losing our home, extreme poverty, and a little sister with special needs. She is going to college on government grants.

We count our blessings. We are better off than many. I would just like to be able to make a living without sacrificing my home and family. That and health needs I guess are our biggest needs. A wheelchair would really help me keep up physically. I also had lyme disease last year and that adds to my joint problems and foggy mind. I have hypertension and type 2 diabetes, and I cannot afford to go to the doctor to get my meds refilled. I take Metformin and Atenolol, which is cheap at WalMart, but I recently moved and need a new doctor to renew my prescriptions. That's the part I cannot afford.

I make crafts, spa products and candles. I also do computer graphic design and digital photo editing.  I'm only a fair typist, but I also have telemarketing experience. I also have an extensive background in community theatre and was once a freelance writer. Would love a creative job or business.

I would REALLY appreciate it if some patient person would tutor me on how to create a website. My biggest challenge is being able to concentrate and sit for very long without pain. I'm really interested in learning more about adsense. I have all sorts of ideas.

I am a Christian and would very much appreciate prayers, and will offer my prayers for others. I also welcome any and all advice.

I am married with a working husband.  We have four children; two of them are young adults and are trying their best to go to school and fun themselves.  The younger two are 12 and 13.  The 12 year old is a child with Aspergers' Syndrome, which is in the family of Autism Sprectrum Disorders.  My other son is bi-polar and chronically dpressed.  He is struggling right now -- he sees a psychologist once a week, and a psychiatrist about every 2-3 weeks.  He is in school, but would like to be home schooled.  My husband suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis; the meds are expensive  but he really works at being healthy.  As for me, I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a debilitiating syndrome filled with pain and fatigue.  In addition, I am dealing with depression and am in a day therapy program to deal with that aspect of my health.  I haven't worked since October 6, and my leave is no pay.  My wish is for the bills just to be brought up tp date and for groceries to be in my freezer and cupboard.  As some people don't like to give cash, I would be happy to supply anyone who would agree to helo with the name of creditors, etc., in order for bills to be paid. Right now, I would be thrilled if I could get paid ahead for lunches at my boys school.  $15 per week for each boy. Please help if you can.  I never thought I would be in this place, begging for help, but I have learned that one can do anything to try to keep a roof over their head and food in the stomach.  Thank you so much for reading.

I'm looking for help to pay bills.  I've been seeking employment.  I need a way to get some money until I get a job.  I do have a car, but it's not completely paid.  My main concern is making my car payment and phone bill.  A couple of jobs for which I applied were delivery drivers, so I'd need my own transportation.  If my phone gets cut off, all the businesses I've applied to thus far will have no way to contact me. 

I've contacted all the area's assistance programs and they can provide no aid.  Right now I'm looking for any job. I'm not really a "people person", but I've put in at Target and Burger King and the like.  Now I have enough gasoline to make one trip to town to look for work.  Any advice on making the most of that opportunity?  Although I'm worried that an employer may call me for an interview and I'll have no way to get there if I use the last of my gas.

I've already gathered all the loose change I could find and pawned off most of my stuff, but that didn't bring in much at all.  I have no one from whom I could borrow money and of course no institution will offer a loan since I'm unemployed.  I've researched every avenue I can think of, but I'm hoping someone knows something I don't.

I need help with immediate expenses.  Three hundred fifty dollars is the amount of money I would use to make my car payment, insurance, and gasoline.  I have no safety net of friends or family that can help me.  I'm out of ideas and am afraid I'm running out of time to do anything.  If any one knows of a legal way to get that much money, please let me know.  Maybe a lender who would loan to someone with no income?  I don't have anything that could be collateral though. 

Hi:

I have a special needs son who is attending a school for severe learning disabled children.  My son is profoundly dyslexic, verbally dyspraxic,  OCD,  Asperger's Syndrome and profoundly gifted.   The school he attends is paid for by the school district through the Individuals with Disablities Educational Act.  I have been advocating for my son for 12  years.  I have fought for services,  including speech and occupational therapy, reading help, extended school year services and you name it.  Finally 2 yearw he was accepted into a school for kids with profound dyslexia and other disablities.   I grabbed the golden ring for my son!   If i leave this school district i risk loosing the education that my son needs.  This would be absolutely devasting to him and to me.  Here is the link for my son's school:   www.rsec.org

This past spring we went thru a horrible and financially devasting divorce.   My ex -husband is loosing his job and i will loose some or most of my child support.  I am also self employed, and working a second job.

My problem is, is that can not afford the property taxes  and the heating bills on this house.  

There is now a lein on my house for $15000 in taxes-that is a year and a half beleive it or not!  I may have to sell and loose his education and my self-employment.  It kills me to know that my son is at risk to loose  the long awaited education he so sorely needs  over property taxes.   There is no guarantee that  if  forced to move he will be able to receive this education or that i would live close enough to this  school for the profoundly learning disabled.   I can't refinance this house due to my credit scores due to the divorce and how the first mortgage is written.

I have had many  expensive repairs on this house the past  2 years, my 7 yr old  ford explorer died,  i had to use the $6000 in my retirement account to buy a new car, a 95 tahoe.. a real gas guzzler but all i could afford. I get no fuel  assistance, have no health insurance,  and do not qualify for food stamps.   I have no money to get my high blood pressure meds and meds for anxiety and depression.  I have taken on a roommate but which helps but I filed   bankruptcy because i don't know where else to turn.  It kills me to do it because i want to be responsible for my debts, but there is nothing left at the end of the month to cover it.   During the course of my  25 year marriage I was fortunate to be the giver of such gifts.... at the holidays to needy organizations , to animal shelters,  the salvation army, i took in exchange students to teach them about our country, voluneteered at my son's school and more.  Now, i need to be at the receiving end of such generosity.  Please help us.

  Please open your heart and your financial abilities to ensure that my son gets to fulfill profound gifted abilities by learning to read.  I am scared and very frightened that my son, my gift from God, will loose his one big chance to become literate.  He is in 7th grade, 12 yrs old,   has an IQ of 140+ and reads at a first grade level.  

What ever you could donate is deeply and  gratefully appreciated.   I won't even ask you to provide he money directly to me.  If you are able and willing to help us, make a check out to our town .  You will be blessed for your kindness.  My son will be blessed by you.

I live in Brookline NH and a donation or payment in my name can be made to the Town of Brookline,  Brookline, NH   03033

Sincerely and Gratefully,

Mary Harding-Smith

603 315 3328

www.rsec.org

October 10 2006

Asperger’s (HFA) Mom 

After fighting with the school board for years and home schooling my son for grade 3, I have now decided to open a small home based school for High Functioning Autistic/Asperger’s Children.

These children are extremely bright and eager to learn; however, as much as the school board claims there is a place for everyone, there is not always a place for them!
Many HFA/Asperger children suffer academically because there disorder is either not recognized, misunderstood or simply mistreated. Unfortunately HFA/Asperger’s is an invisible disability to the untrained eye. Where these boys and girls "look like" they should be capable of socializing and learning under the same circumstances as all other boys and girls this is not always the case.
The social aspect alone is a never ending battle field, not understanding social norms, cues and etiquette can make life confusing and unbearable for both children and adults alike.
I have witnessed HFA/Asperger's children excel, to not limits, when they are educated in smaller controlled environments.

On Friday the school threatened to call the police on my son (he is 10 years old) thinking this might make him behave, funny NO!!

The school board would like me to think that my son I some sort of enigma, but I know better. There are other Aspie kids out there, suffering at the hands of a school board who has not real place for them. Autism classrooms are available as are PDD and sensitivity classrooms, however Asperger’s children are too high functioning, too unpredictable, too violent THEY JUST DON’T FIT THE CRITERION.  These are the excuses I have heard for years ‘so lets make them conform’ this is the boards great idea, Inclusion inclusion inclusion. IT DOESN’T WORK!!!

There are other parent fighting this fight, others, who have to leave work 2 or three days per week to pick up there child at the schools request (DEMAND) in the middle of the day. Others who are struggling to home school because the other options are too expensive or the waiting lists are too long.

Specialty private schools where Autistic children are welcome, cost anywhere from $4000.00 to $5500.00 per MONTH.

$55000.00 (that’s right, fifty five thousand dollars) per year for a ten month program! That does not include before and after school care, lunch, technologies fees, uniform, extra curricular activities etc.

Oh and there are no guarantees that the program will benefit your child   academically, emotionally or socially.

OUR PLAN

I would like to open a small private home school for Asperger’s children in primary grades.

APSERGER SOLUTIONS Inc.

• Our school would consist of 8 to 10 children
• One full time educator and two classroom support workers (with Asperger’s experience)
• An Occupational therapist and Speech and Language Pathologist to help implement continuous programming (not just bi weekly visits)
• Self defense and social skill development
• Sensory integration, music therapy etc.
•  Over all, a safe place for our children to learn, excel and grow into productive members of society.

WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE OUR PLAN A REALITY

Funding to;

• Convert our brand new unfinished basement into a welcoming learning environment (approximately 1100 Square feet)
• To buy textbooks, notebooks, paper, pencils, chalk boards, chalk etc.
• Purchase O.T. supplies

Donations of

·        School textbooks grades 1-8  all subjects

·        Trampoline, hanging bag

·        Book shelves, desks

·        Desk top or Lap top computers

·        Sports equipment

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

For further information please email me at   aspergersolutionsinc@yahoo.ca

Thank you Michelle Mack (Joshua’s Mom)