Run the Dream- Autism Coffee Chat welcomes Jonathan and Terry

Autism Coffee Chat – Sudbury Ontario

Welcomes Jonathan Howard And Terry Robinson(Two-Time Para-Olympian)

FOR

Run The Dream – www.runthedream.ca



On Wednesday August 13th 2008 at 12:00 noon Sudbury based Autism Support Group- Autism Coffee Chat ( www.autismcoffeechat.blogspot.com ) is proud to host Jonathan Howard and his Run the Dream Team for Autism. Families along with invited members from the Tom Davies Square , City Council, Terry Robinson(two-time para-olympian), Special Olympics Ontario Sudbury Chapter - and a very special guest speaker may make an appearance - will gather in the courtyard at Tom Davies Square to welcome Jonathan and his Team to our fine city. There will be a chance to meet Jonathan as well as speeches.

(excerpt from his website)

Dream As Though You’ve Never Failed

Run The Dream is a coast-to-coast solo run across Canada by Jonathan Howard, a 24 year old resident of Mississauga , Ontario to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and a targeted $2.5 million, in support of charities that work to assist children with ASD and their families. Jonathan started his run in St. John’s , Newfoundland on March 25, 2008 and will finish in Victoria , British Columbia in December 2008. In this time span, Jonathan will run approximately 8,500 kilometres, and visit more than 650 communities in 10 provinces.

Jonathan is proud to dedicate his run, and his efforts to raising awareness and charitable donations to support the people who dedicate their lives turning the dreams of children with ASD, and their families, into miracles and abilities.

Contact us for more information or explore our web site and return regularly to learn more about ASD; the people and organizations behind Run The Dream; to learn when Jonathan will be in or near your community; keep updated on Jonathan’s progress and the activities that are happening on-the-road; learn about occasional special offers from our sponsors; and to donate to the cause. Our site will be updated frequently – please return often.




All ARE WELCOME to join Jonathan, and Terry. We have invited Ryan, an athlete from the Sudbury Chapter of Special Olympics to run a leg with Terry and Jonathan.



Participation in the run event is by open donation/silver collection.



We are hoping a few dignitaries will join us. All media sources invited.



Please RSVP to join in the Run alongside Jonathan and Terry by calling 705-675-5021or by emailing Trish at ktchmeifucan2002@yahoo.ca you will be linked with the run team for details on where to meet Jonathan and Terry for that day.



An updated media release may follow.

Alternate local media Contact: Brenda Verdiel verdiel@vianet.on.ca

Successful Movie Night for Autism Awareness – in support of Autism Ontario

He stands proud, chest out – but his eyes are down to his page. He reads from his page, a speech he designed himself.. telling the world, what he wants to be when he grows up. A medical scientist, his passion –
reading medical journals to put himself to sleep at night. He is motivated to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, one of them a 6 year old boy, named Morgan. His speech is also gripped with words of bullying.

His name is Matteo, he has autism. A complicated, neurological disorder that affects 1 in 150 children, out of that statistic, 1 in 95 are boys.

This night, he read his speech to an audience in a gym as the opening special guest of an Autism Awareness evening hosted by Autism Coffee Chat, a Sudbury Ontario parent-driven support group to over 80 families. – this group is in their 4th year of support to families and is NOT funded by any outside agency. They rely on donations from local businesses. (www.autismcoffeechat.blogspot.com)

The evening was a success, bringing in donations at the door, which will be donated for research to Autism Ontario’s Bonnie McPhail (Campaign organizer) though not much money was raised, the REAL payout was the expression of the audience as they laughed and cried throughout the evening starting with Matteo’s speech, and then the films, first “Experiencing Autism” from Autism Ontario’s “Together for Autism Campaign”, and then the acclaimed film “Snowcake” http://www.snowcakemovie.co.uk/
Starring: Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss.

Princess Anne Public School celebrated the campaign, and have placed over 200 colorful figure cutouts of children encircling the entrance to the school.

Autism Coffee Chat parents are driven by trying to comprehend this mysterious disorder and seek to clarify meaning in their everyday lives. These parents meet monthly to have a coffee and a chat, and discuss the issues of the day. They now have a school setting and can bring their children to play, with special adaptive sports equipment, supplied by the Sudbury and District Health Unit.

An online private discussion forum is also set up for their use.

Autism Coffee Chat’s film night success was co-organized by Coffee Chat members, and sponsored by several local businesses, donating coffee, juice, pop, water, snack foods, and pizza.

By convincing 20 people about Autism, this group has convinced 200 because they will tell a friend, who will tell two more.


Autism is not going away. It’s time to understand it, meaningfully and give these people, their right to equality and a life free from stigma.

Trish Kitching,
Parent to three autistic children
Moderator, Autism Coffee Chat
Executive Member, Alliance for Families with Autism www.allianceforfamilieswithautism.blogspot.com
www.autismnewsarticles.blogspot.com

For more information on how to join the support group, contact Trish at Ktchmeifucan2002@yahoo.ca

Autism Awareness Night

Autism Coffee Chat
A Sudbury-based parent-driven support group
www.autismcoffeechat.blogspot.com
Is hosting an Autism Awareness movie night on behalf of the
Together for Autism Campaign (Autism Ontario)
at Princess Anne Public School-500 Douglas Street
Sudbury Ontario
Friday, May 9th 6:00 p.m. the Gymnasium
Refreshments/Snacks provided
You will be treated to:
Opening comments with a surprise guest speaker.
A brief Autism Ontario Film “Experiencing Autism”
 “Snowcake” http://www.snowcakemovie.co.uk/
Starring: Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss
Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min. (not rated)
Adult content scenes. Not recommended for children under 14.
Princess Anne students held autism awareness events in April.
This is your chance, as parents and caregivers to experience autism and understand what it is like to live in their world.
Don’t miss your chance to come out, put your feet up and
“Experience Autism” Donations welcome ($2.00)
© 2006 Autism Ontario, Autism Society Ontario Charitable no. 119248789RR0001
For more information for Autism Coffee Chat, please contact: Trish Kitching 675-5021

There will be NO childcare provided on site – This evening is for parents and caregivers!!!

World Autism Day -Coffee Chat and the Sudbury and District Health Unit-Team UP

APRIL 2ND Declared World Autism Day by the United Nations

Einstein inspires him, children with autism who cannot speak for themselves inspire him. He’s only 9 but has a vision. His dream is to be a Medical Scientist and advocate for the children with no voice- he has Autism.

Matteo Raso from Sudbury Ontario, advocates for children with Autism- delivers a self-designed eloquent speech of what it is like to have the neurological disorder that affects now 1/150 children (Centres for Disease Control) 1 in 50 are boys. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
at the Sudbury and District Health Unit April 2nd 2008.

The United Nations has declared April 2nd as WORLD AUTISM DAY.
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/blogs/paging.dr.gupta/2007/02/behind-veil-of-autism.html

Autism Coffee Chat www.autismcoffeechat.blogspot.com teams up with the Sudbury and Distict Health Unit's Health Promotion Department for the first ever World Autism Day April 2nd 2008.



Trish spear-heads the Sudbury-based parent-driven support group of over
80 members. With help from all of the membership of Autism Coffee Chat they
organize monthly meetings, utilize a private on-line discussion forum as
well teach parents to self advocate and empower them to help their children. This group also receives regular updates via email from Wendy, their member situated in Elliot Lake. Membership has no borders - memberships go all the way to Hornepayne and down south to Woodstock.

Trish Kitching, a parent to three children with autism, and Matteo shown with Joelle Martel display the new Adaptive Sports Bag from Get Active Now.



The Health Unit supports this group by donating the use of the sports
bag so children and youth with Autism and their siblings can benefit and
become healthier by joining their parents or caregivers at the monthly
meetings and using the equipment in the gymnasium at the school they
meet monthly at, with the support of respite workers who volunteer their
time a few hours a month.

To become a member of Autism Coffee Chat has no costs attached to it, or
to volunteer at the meetings to play with the kids - Please contact
Trish Kitching at ktchmeifucan2002@yahoo.ca
Or telephone 675-5021. visit www.autismcoffeechat.blogspot.com

Autism Coffee Chat is sponsored by Tim Horton’s, Toppers Pizza and the Sudbury and District Health Unit.

This group is not funded by any agency and relies on donations.

Volunteering for Autism Coffee Chat requires a valid police check.

Visit www.autismnewsarticles.blogspot.com for regular news about Autism in Canada

Our Next Meeting for March

Autism Coffee Chat will meet next

The THIRD Monday in March due to the March Break.

Please check your emails regularly for any changes prior to meetings.

Our meetings typically run the second Monday of the month.

Trish Kitching
Moderator, founding member
Autism Coffee Chat
and Coffee Chat forum.