I recently visited a place called ANCA Consulting headquartered in Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada.  I didn't know what to expect really.  I spoke with Leonora and Charlie Collura by phone and via the Internet video phone service, Skype.  Nice folks, overall.  They've been consulting with families that have autistic children for almost 15 years there.  I figured their knowledge of how to address some of the fears many parents have about raising autistic children would be a healthy thing for me to discover.  Little did I know that I would literally come back to the states with a totally recalibrated state of mind concerning autism and how to best help autistic children, autistic adults and their families (parents included) communicate with each other. 

What ANCA does is difficult to explain.  That's why I'm so grateful to have gone there to experience it.  It was totally necessary for me to do that.  To start, the name 'ANCA' is not an acronym.  It is much more personal.  The 'AN' stands for Anthony, the name of Leornora and Charlie's son who has brain injuries caused by medical professionals and is confined to a wheelchair.  The 'CA' stands for Caroline, their daughter who's passed away.  The deeply personal nature of what ANCA stands for is (I think) the reason for the powerful results that anyone who's been involved with them seem to have.  I saw video after video of success story.  I saw a presentation given to school teachers and education officials with one of the children who'd been through the ANCA program and I was speechless. 

I'll tell ya more tomorrow.

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on: Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 02:25 am

This raising funds stuff is NOT so easy during tough economic times!  However, I'm not throwing in the towel yet.  I've got a simple plan: A lot of people chipping in a little.  It's so simple it's scary! 

Okay.  Just what is a lot of people then?  I figure about 3 to 5 million people.  Yeah, I know.  Where am I gonna find 3 to 5 million people that even care about the concerns of the Autism Community?  Hmmm.  Not a delima for me actually.  I'm gonna use my book sales and the "other" thing I know best: Music.  Music is universal and what better way to draw people of all walks of life to a cause than music.  Now that I've got everyone's attention, I'm takin' this humanitarian movement to the next level.  I'd already planned to do this but, it looks like the timing is right to introduce music into the mix.  Yes, people should be drawn to this effort simply because it's the right thing to do, but, come on!  The majority of folks won't involve themselves financially unless they are getting some value for their time or money.  That's where the music comes in.  With spectacular music in tow, Aid for Autistic Children Foundation can rally folks from all walks of life to support the families and adults coping with autism. 

If this sounds like a cool idea to you, drop by the Aid for Autistic Children Foundation, Inc's website at www.aacfinc.org.  By donating a small amount from $5 to $25 one time, you will be securing an opportunity for a family or autistic adult where they can obtain debt relief. 

For those who can, it's time to pitch in.  I've just begun to pitch in.  My goal to sell 250k copies of my book "Autism Is My Universe" will allow me to donate $1mllion to the foundation trust fund.  I think that would be a fantastic jump off point. 

I'm working as hard as I can to get the word out and create opportunities to speak about the work that is being done on behalf of the Autism Community.  By raising $1million with my book, that is only a small portion of what I can do to further the march toward tolerance and understanding of what it's like to be a family or adult coping with autism. 

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on:  Sunday, June 21, 2009 @ 00:58 EST

I chose to fast (hunger strike) because I knew it was going to get attention.  Thankfully, it did and I've made further headway by now having direct communication with journalists who are interested in the Autism Community's stories as well as concerns.  It's sad to me, however, that I had to go to such lengths for anyone to pay attention to such an important message as adults living with autism who may need a helping hand.  Not only that, it's the poorest among us that wind up disappearing from the landscape of the world and it's a much worse world if they happen to be a family coping with a child (or children) that has autism. 

Today, it's still quiet in the mainstream media.  I know this will take time, but, c'mon already.  Do I have to extend this fasting thing?  I don't have a problem with doing that one bit.  I am really not happy with the way those of us that live with autism are tossed to the side as unmotivated or welfare seekers.  We are far from that description. 

This is a plea to anyone that may be paying attention today.  It is my hope that a hunger strike will not be necessary again in order to really make a difference in the lives of anyone in the autism community that feels invisible. 

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on:  Wednesday, June 10, 2009 @ 22:20 EST

I'll be going to Woodfield Academy tomorrow to visit with the headmaster, Becky Sessions, here locally in Macon, Georgia to encourage her with my own story about how my Mom's decision to try non-traditional things with me and my siblings helped us to develop the social skills needed for us to succeed in a very judgemental society. 

I've been made aware that there will be no children there because class is out at the moment.  Later this year when class is back in, I will have pictures and all kinds of stories of the students successes.  I'm excited about meeting up with Becky to give this successful, but, ignored Academy some needed love and attention from our own community.

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on:  Wednesday, June 10, 2009 @ 12:52 EST

I've finally finished the non-profits application that will allow up to 30 households a year to access no more than 150,000 USD for debt relief.  For those just tuning in, the purpose for the fund is to provide relief from debt incurred because of circumstances surrounding a families need to structure a lifestyle conducive to developing the skill sets needed to provide the best quality of life for an autistic child or loved one.  For autistic adults that did not have the benefit of early intervention and are coping with some difficulty, this program also gives you an opportunity to seek the medical care, therapy or dietary intervention you may need to help focus so a qualified coach can teach you necessary social skill sets. 

The only thing left to do now is raise the necessary 100 million dollars for the trust.  I know it sounds like a lot but, it's not.  When the USA is already spending 3.2 million per person with autism and 35 billion per year on all who have autism, this is a drop in the bucket.  The 2010 Obama administration's budget only allocates 211 million dollars for all things autism for the entire year.  So, in essence, my approach only needs less than half of what the current administration has proposed.  Not only that, AACF, Inc.'s fund will go directly to the household's debt that it incurred because of coping with autism; 30 per year.  The government can't make that claim.  The Obama administration has the 211 million dollars earmarked for everything from research to grants directly to autism non-profits.  This will undoubtedly break up those government funds into small pieces that will virtually have little effect on real families lives.

If my math serves me, I've got to reach at least 5 million people with this message of embracing autism and inclusion of all who have it into the national conversation.  Why?  By having the support of at least 5 million people, AACF, Inc. can raise, grassroots style, 100 million in small donation of $25 dollars or less.  If some want or can give more, that will balance out those that can only give $5 or $10.  Here's the best part.  Unlike the government, which needs our tax dollars over and over again to sustain itself, AACF, Inc.'s trust works on a "don't touch the principle, only the interest income" philosophy.  This way, we don't have the same need to ask for millions of dollars every year.  In fact, we only need to raise these funds once.  That's it.  We will have enough for the budget to run AACF, Inc. as well as the funds to secure grants for 30 families a year, every year.  Should the general public like the program enough for us to increase the amount of people we should help, we will do the math and only raise the principle to include a greater number of families.  We will raise the funds in the same manner as before.  Give you an estimate of what we will need to make the program solvent and ask for small donations from a lot of people.  I know this sounds simple but, I'm not reinventing the wheel here.  We already have government programs like this is place.  The problem is that these programs (Medicare, SSI) are not only being drained of the interest they accrue, but, the principle as well.  That is unsustainable.  The AACF, Inc. program is indefinitely sustainable.  Even if the interest income went as low as 5%, I can still help 30 households, every year... forever, even in a bad economy.  This is the best place to put your funds.  For $25 or less, you can have access to 150,000 USD.  I don't know many programs with that kind of result.  Now we are not opposed to corporate donations.  Donations like that will allow us to reach the goal faster.  However, we really want to have a ground swell of grassroots support for a program like this because it will be a permanent example of what we all can do if debating stops and actions start.

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 12:01 EST

I feel great today!  Must have just had a bad morning yesterday.  I changed up my juice and fluid intake and slept a full 8 hours.  Just one more day and I will officially call this fast a success.  I hope I kept the conversation going.  Now I will start down the path of appearing on every program that will have me to speak about my book and how we can all be a part of continuing the conversation about autism in a positive, constructive and powerful way.  We need to be encouraging to the families, children and adults coping with autism everyday.  We need to embrace those who DO have autism and treat them with dignity and respect.  This should apply to anyone with a disability but, in most cases of autism (especially high-functioning) it's not really a disability.  Many of us are entertainers, professionals... you name it!  It's time to change the perception of autism so all those coping can come out of the shadows and not feel like we will be discriminated against in some way. 

Sorry, just had to say that and will continue to until I am saying it on national (or international) TV!

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on:  Wednesday, June 03, 2009 @ 11:06 EST

Normally I would have something intelligent to say.  Today I'm just trying to keep my eyes open.  My head is hurting and my mood is sour.  Regardless, I still will not give up this fight to be heard.

I may have already made this point, but, I think it's worth making again.  Breast cancer, some years back, dynamically was not part of our societies regular conversation.  Slowly, families and others joined forces to normalize the language surrounding something as devastating as breast cancer.  To say the word breast in public used to get a chuckle or snicker.  Now it is so common place.  That didn't just happen over night nor did it happen by accident.  It was a well thought out plan to make the conversation about breast cancer more mainstream so women all across the country and even the world now, feel more comfortable and less ashamed about coping or prevention of this cancer.  Mainstreaming the language and conversation not only affected how women dealt with breast cancer but, how all people speak about it.  It's not joked about or thought of as affecting just the lives of the women struck with the disease.  It's thought of in a much broader sense as to include impacting an entire family, if it should happen. 

You see, that's what I want for autism.  The language needs to change.  The conversation needs to be substantive and not just people debating about what the statistics say.  I believe the only people who can make this change happen are those of us who actually have autism living and coping with the challenges everyday. 

Some of us have become successful and do not wish to reveal ourselves for fear of ridicule or backlash in some form or another.  This is precisely why the conversation and language about autism needs to be mainstreamed.  There needs to be no more shame; no more hiding; no more lying; no more secret lives.  It's time to embrace autism for what it is and challenge all the myths and misconceptions every time some media personality, organization or news program gets it wrong.  No, I'm not talking about boycotting.  Nothing like that.  Let's go one better.  To counter the misinformation, we will correct it by advertising the proper view.  It's time for public service announcements with prominent and even popular autistic people on every level of the spectrum in it.  There should be one that lasts 2 minutes, 1 and a half minutes and a 30 second spot.  (I used to work in broadcasting.)  We need to push hard with our positive lives in tow. We are the examples that the whole world needs to see as well as hear. 

To some, this might just be a dream of mine.  I don't think so, though.  If I have to sell a million of my books, I will fund this entire goal myself.  It needs to happen.  For years it wasn't proper for women to vote.  For years it wasn't proper for blacks in America to be recognized as people.  Something major happened to spark a change in peoples thinking.  For women's political rights, early suffragists Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony (the most famous of the three) were powerful advocates from the 1800's through 1900's.  For black Americans, Rosa Parks had an 'I ain't gonna take it anymore' moment that sent the Civil Rights movement into overdrive.  There is always a moment that creates a movement.  There is always an opportunity to make change happen.  I feel this is the moment for autistic people and those families coping everywhere.  Enough.  Enough with the jokes.  Enough with the misrepresentation.  Enough with the selling of products to desperate parents.  Enough ignoring the poor who are coping.  Enough ignoring we adults with AS or other spectrum disorder.  Enough already.  We are fighting back now.  Even if it feels like it's just me.  I don't have anything to lose by taking up this fight.  I'm stronger than anyone who can oppose me.  I am the one coping with autism everyday of my life.  If you don't have that to deal with, your expertise does not override my everyday experience.  I won't let it.  I know what I'm going through in my experience.  I can coach you through it.  I can help you understand.  I will not be written off.  I have something valuable to offer... me. 

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on: Sunday, May 31, 2009 @ 22:37 EST

Sleep was not good at all.  I'm rested and that's good.  I had to cut it short because I was feeling as if I would not remain conscious should I stay asleep.  Not good.  I'm much weaker and my appearance is thin but not withdrawn, I don't think.  Tomorrows video is gonna really surprise a lot of people who think I am not serious.  I won't stop this and many of you already know when I will.  I'm determined and not afraid.  Stay tuned for tomorrows Day 25 video.  I'm hoping there won't have to be a Day 30.  This is getting rough. 

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on:  Friday, May 29, 2009 @ 07:13 EST

Sorry about this blog.  I am having more trouble trying to sleep.  I've been forcing myself to lay in bed for the past few days but, no good.  My next update video will be on day 25 of my fast.  I know it looks as though there hasn't been much change, but, I didn't start this journey wafer thin like Mia Farrow.  I was at 180lbs when I started this.  I'm now 166lbs and my family is noticing it and monitoring me very closely.  Remember, I am taking in fluids so, I'm still doing pretty good.  I'm taking in lots of fluids so, my weight isn't dropping as fast as it could be. 

Peace & Love,

Michael Buckholtz

Blog on:  Tuesday, May 26, 2009 @ 04:49 EST