A Song for Autism
Where Have You Gone? This song is written and performed by Richard Femenella, the GM of the Las Vegas Charlie Palmer Steakhouse about his son Joey affected by Autism. Our connection with Richard is we both strongly feel our children were affected by vaccination injury. This song played during a "presentation" of children affected by autism in Southern Nevada. It was heart breaking for so many reasons (I'll admit I cried), but one of the biggest was the fact that so many of the pictures of the children showed direct eye contact. It's hard to understand just how hard, direct eye contact that is, for children who are on the spectrum of autism. I think that fact was lost on the all the rich people that attended (read donors). But for a fundraiser, that's what you want...Rich people.
My wife and I were proud "donor" recipients of tickets to the $1000 per person "Autism's Angels Gala" hosted by F.E.A.T. (Families of Effective Autism Treatment) of Southern Nevada. Yes, I wore a suit. Pictures here.
Note: All Rights/Credits to the song: Richard Femenella and David Vella
(No copyright info on the CD that was given in the Swag bag. But I felt it would be a better "good" for more people to hear this song than not)
Wow, that is beautiful, touching and moving. I know, eye contact is such a challenging thing for many with autistism, just like affection. One of my young autistic students who I've been teaching for 3 years brought me to tears the last day of ski season.....out of the blue, he came running across the room, through his arms around my waist for a hug, then was gone as quick as he arrived. I was stunned, and brought to tears by this spontaneous burst of affection. In the three years we've been skiing nothing like that has ever happened.
Wishing you all the best with your little angel....and dang, you clean up well!!
Posted by Barb on May 06, 2008 at 10:28 AM PDT #
There is another song out there written about autism. It's called "Take My Hand". If you are interested in hearing it, go to www.myspace.com/maddiegeorgi.
If you would like to download the song, go to www.autismlink.com and download it for $2. All proceeds benefit Autismlink.
My daughter wrote it and recorded it when she was 14 years old in honor of her little brother Jake who has autism.
Posted by Renee Georgi on June 10, 2008 at 07:51 PM PDT #