2. Three Cheers For Fathers Who Make The Extra Effort/ Posts to Dad!

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FEAT DAILY NEWSLETTER Sacramento, California http://www.feat.org

" Healing Autism: No Finer a Cause on the Planet "

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June 17, 2001 Search www.feat.org/search/news.asp

2. Three Cheers For Fathers Who Make The Extra Effort/ Posts to Dad!

Posted Notes Honoring Dad on this Father’s day

Dear Dad (Matt K. Longview, WA) We can't always tell you how much we

appreciate all you do for us and all the care and love you give us, but we

do! You're a great dad! We can't always be all that you expected us to be

when you learned that you were going to be a dad, but we are glad that you

told Heavenly Father that you would watch over us in this life while we are

here with you. So...thank you, Dad, for loving us and caring for us and

teaching us. WE LOVE YOU! Noah and

******

Bruce is the father of an 8 year old boy with Autism, named and a

daughter 10 years old, . On behalf of them and me the loving wife I

want to thank him for being such a patient and understanding dad. He is so

good with the kids. I work weekend nights so he is solely responsible for

all of the kids care from Friday at 6 PM until Sunday at 3 PM almost

everyweekend. He does everything, cleans, cooks, grocery shops and

entertains. Which as most parents of children with Autism know is not easy.

Happy Father's Day to a very special DAD. Ruth, , , & Smokey

******

Gillian's Dad

My name is Gillie, my dad is Charlie

He drives a pick-up truck, but pretends it's a harley

He's crazy and kooky and acts like a clown, but he's always there for me

and never let's me down

He works hard every day to buy my special food, and helps me out of it

when I have a " mood "

He makes the time to play and take me places, and makes me laugh with his

funny faces

I want him to know what I just can't say " you're the best Da-Da...Happy

Father's Day !!! " Love, Gillie

******

To those dads who chose to be active in their children's lives, these

thoughts are for you. There are days i think he knows there is an important

person missing in his life. a man who should airplane ride, wrestle and bear

hug him. The times when he needs a strong arm and a ride up the stairs when

mommy is tired, he would probably like that. His voice so reassuring and a

little louder than mommies, the voice that says... " good going son! " ...the

ballpark, washing the car, even a bedtime story at nite, all the little

things that make dad, a dad...there is a part that he will probably never

have. Be thankful for dads that are there for their kids! On father's day,

and especially for those dad's of kids with special needs , thanks for

doing your job!.....susan mikies mom

******

My name is Rohan and I want to thank my Daddy for being there for me every

day. You aren't my first Daddy, but the one others call my " real " Daddy

stopped coming around when he found out that I'm different. I want you to

know you ARE my REAL Daddy. You are the one there every day, when I'm

scared, when I'm frustrated, teaching me new things, patient when you have

to show me again, and encouraging my safe obsessions. I don't understand

why my other Daddy left, but I'm glad you are here to be my REAL Daddy. I

know I have trouble saying it, but I love you, and I'm glad you are here.

Thank you for being my Daddy.

******

To: My Daddy, Larry in Augusta Georgia posted by my Mommy

(De)From: 6 yrs old with Severe Autism and Cerebral

Palsy - Thank you Daddy for being kind to me when I get upset because I

can't tell people what I want. Thank you Daddy for being a hard worker and

allowing my Mommy to stay home with me and my brother and 2 sisters to spend

quality time with us. Thank you Daddy for taking me to the park , you may

not even know it ... but I love it when you swing me so high !! Thank you

Daddy for taking me outside and throwing the ball to me over and over when

nothing else won't calm me down. Thank you Daddy for not getting upset when

I am not exactly like " normal” children ... Most of all thank you Daddy

for accepting me for who I am .. I am blessed to have a Daddy like you ...

Thank you God for the best Daddy in the world ! Happy Father's day Daddy, I

love you ... your son,

******

To my Husband Jim, Father of our Children

At the end of the day As the world spins one way And I spin the other One

messed up mother

The door bursts open And I'm no longer grim Because here comes my soulmate

THE MAN I LOVE: JIM

He is the kids' favorite Does not find them " defective " He always

understands them Loves them deeply: is protective

He gives us a party At the slightest excuse And thinks I look gorgeous

When I feel like a moose

WE LOVE HIM!!!!! WE ADORE HIM!!!! He is Husband and Dad! I am

grateful I met JIM Inexpressibly glad!!!!!!*********

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, JIM!!!!! xoxoxoxoxox I love you, Jean

******

To all of the dads out there, and the one's I've had the privilege to have

conversation with, I would like to acknowledge your presence in the

community and how hard you work for your children with autism.

But one dad stands out with me as we have something in common...we are

single dads with autistic children. L. has not only inspired me

to keep a level head in this complex goal to raise a child with autism on

my own, but has also shown me the importance to help as many parents out

there as I can with what knowledge I have. Network is the key to our

success. One man with such a goal for the love of his child and the love

for other children out there, I must say I am overwhelmed. His help is what

got me on track toward true, effective help for my son and is doing

really well now. L. and I have had discussions in the past and he has

really helped me with my situation. I consider him a brother and feel that

I would not have the success that I have with my son at this time if it was

not for him giving his time to me. My hat is off for you L. You are a true

friend and one heck of a father. Champagne

******

Dear Dad,

I cannot tell you in words just yet, but I can tell you in my laughter and

squeals of delight: Daddy, I love you! You spend hours letting me jump on

the bed, ride on your back, and watching the same Barney video over and

over.

You always kiss me and hug me and tell me how good I am doing. You never

mind driving miles out of your way to find me Mc's french fries. You

work lots of long, hard hours so I can have the teachers I need so that I

can learn to say " Daddy " and lots of other great stuff, and so I can learn

how to look right into your eyes so you know how I feel. You have always

believed that " autism " would not be the last word in my life. You play with

me every day, and pray for me every night. I know there is nothing you would

not do for me. And best of all, you love my mommy and my baby brother, Sam,

too. You hold our family together. You are the greatest, the absolute

greatest Dad in all the world, and we all love you more than we can say. By

next year maybe I will be able to say it in words, but for this year I can

tell you in other ways that I am the happiest boy that ever lived --

because of you. Happy Father's Day! Love, Sytsema Three-years-old

******

The Dad of the century - You are so amazing it is hard to put it into words.

Your children, Saoirse and ce, know that you are the best thing to hit

this planet since sliced bread. The invention of the wheel is not an

invention compared to you. As ce says " Why do you love children's T.V

so much? " He is right - it is because you always have been and always will

be a child at heart. We love you dearly. Your strengths grow day by day and

we are all learning from them. You are the calmest, most loving and

interesting person we all know. We will love you forever.

Happy Fathers Day Siobhan, Saoirse, ce and Ros xxxx

******

He puts her on the bus in the morning and he meets the bus in the afternoon.

He takes her to occupational therapy every Thursday and to therapeutic

horseback riding every Saturday that he can (sometimes he has National Guard

duty). Most of all, he is committed to maintaining a loving, secure home for

our daughter and me. We're very lucky to have him. Signed, Pennsylvania Mom

******

To Venables from Ollie Venables: Dear Daddy If I could talk and

write I would be able to tell you what a wonderful father you are to me -

but I can't so Mummy is typing this to say we love you!!!

******

Happy Fathers day to my dearest dad, Blackburn. I know I do not say it

often enough but I love you and thank you for all that you do. There are

many things I admire about you, but I will just name one of them for now. I

admire The way you can get up and go with life even when you are in pain and

under stress. You never compain about your problems, you take one day at a

time and seem to keep on truckin! You are a special father and grandfather

and I wanted you to know it! All my love, your daughter, Jana s=)

******

Dear Daddy:

Mom has written this little note about you because we are in our beds,

Fast asleep. Mom often thinks about you at this time of night, when the

hustle-bustle of the day has ended and she looks in on us, sleeping like

angels and smelling like baby soap. There aren't many Dads like you around.

That's one thing that is for sure. You love us with all your heart, cook

and bake for us (even GFCF foods!),

take us to the park, teach us how to play ball and swim, show us how to be

kind and strong, correct us when we are ill-behaved, want to spend your

precious free time with us, take us for hikes, sleep outside in tents with

us, you take the load off of Mom just when she's had all she can handle and

the list could go on.

As we are growing and learning how to be a family, our love for you grows

more each day. When you are gone, we miss you terribly. Even though one of

us has autism and one does not, you love us equally and treat us both as

special people. Mom and you have a tough road to toll at times and no one

really understands that except us. You fight for our rights and your

combined efforts make our family strong.

One day, when we are older, we hope to be able to tell you ourselves that

all your efforts and love were worth it. But until then, happy Father's

Day, Daddy.... from your two special boys, Dillon and Cole! (and Mom, too)

******

Happy Father's Day to Jim Reese

Some fathers do what they do because they feel it's their responsibility.

Other fathers do what they do because they are told to.

's father does what he does because of unconditional love.

The type of love only a father with a pure heart can show his son.

I thank God for and Judy's father, my husband, and my best friend.

Happy Father' Day!

....You were content to let me shine, that's your way. You always walked a

step behind.So I was the one with all the glory, while you were the one

with all the strain. A beautiful face without a name for so long. A

beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle, for you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed, but I've got it all here in my

heart. I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it. I would

be nothing without you. Did you ever know that you're my hero? You're

everything I wish I could be. I could fly higher than an eagle, for you

are the wind beneath my wings... Wind Beneath My Wings

- by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar

******

This is a letter my husband wrote to our daughter after she was

diagnosed with autism. It still makes me cry... Sincerely, Kris Lathrop

To my precious daughter, In an effort to let go of what I thought you

should be.

Life is full of surprises that take us down roads unknown to

ourselves,...unknown to those around us. Beyond our expectations of “life”

are blessings greater than our hearts could explore. If only we could see

those blessings for what they are, and not lose one moment wishing for

selfish paths.

My desire for my life is to know where you are in spirit and mind. The

frustration is haunting to watch as you travel to places far away... take me

to that far away place, where I can know you, where no one can touch you or

hurt you. Take me to the shores of your mind. Help me to be in your world.

To the little girl who has made more changes to the people close to her,

in her already short life, than I could ever hope for in my own life. May

your journey through this life be fulfilling and blessed. May your smile

fill the hearts of those you come in contact with, as you have over- filled

my heart with joy and love.

Know that as long as you are here with me, and I with you... which is for

All eternity, you are loved and cherished by me.... your father.

God has smiled on me and brought you into my life. My prayer is that

others will know the power you possess.

With everlasting love... your father~

******

To my husband on Father's Day........

For the Love I saw in your eyes as you looked at me on our Wedding

Day.....for the Wonder I saw in your eyes at the birth of our sons........

and for the Pain I saw in your eyes when I told you the doctor said our

youngest son was Autistic.....

For being strong when I needed you to be............for taking on another

job, so that I could stay home and research and take our son to doctor's and

therapist's, and attend IEP meeting after IEP meeting........

For maybe not totally understanding what this crazy new world of Autism is

about - but trying to in your own way...........but most importantly, for

not running away from it all.......

For being honest about the things you can't handle - and for doing a great

job at the things you can! Like cleaning up those early morning surprises

all over the carpets so I don't have to....... keeping my computer running

so I can learn from other parents, and taking the kids outside to play so I

can have a moment of peace...

For not questioning yet another supplement order, new therapy, or book I

buy, or test I order, to help in my quest to win this war called

Autism............

For spending your vacation with me at a BioMedical Conference -where we

never left the airport -and listened to speakers talk about poop the whole

weekend..........and for understanding the humor in it all.........

For showing that yes, grown men can cry - and it's ok.........

For all these things you do....... and for so much more...........

Happy Father's Day

******

My Name is and I am 4 years old and I wanted to tell everyone about

my wonderful daddy. His name is , and I try real hard to call him papa.

I don't have any real words yet, but he seems to know everything I am

talkingabout. He loves singing songs to me and trying to get me to sing

with him. I remember when I was a baby he would sing songs to me to help me

sleep everynite. My daddy works real hard all day long, and then he comes

home and helps take care of me and my brother and baby sister. We're a lot

of work. He always seems so happy though. Everynight, after my brother and

sister go to bed, he and I go for a walk and then to our friend Mark's

house to play pinball (pa ba). I really like PacMan. Daddy knows that too!

Sometimes I see him cry, but mostly I see him comforting mommy, and

Laughing and giggling with us kids. We have a lot of fun together!

If there is only one thing that I could say, I would want to say " I love

You Daddy " because I know just how much that would mean to him. We learned

To tell each other in Sign, but I know he would like to hear me 'say' it

with my words. I'm going to keep working real hard for him.

I hope he has a Super Fathers Day and I'm going to do my best to show him

How much he means to me....everyday. I LOVE YOU DADDY! - Bunny

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