We were thrilled to visit and teach new friends from the first responder community in and around Lock Haven, PA this past week. We listened to our audience’s experiences and training goals, learned how tremendously professional and caring they are in their work, then launched into delivering “Disability is Not a Crime” content.
Everyone in the room had autism or an autistic relative, and one learner manages two autistic employees, so engagement was high. The conversation was so fantastic we stayed well past the end time of 9:00pm, thinking of creative ways to support autistic people in emergency situations.
Blending an autistic presenter (who is an EMT) and a non-autistic trainer seems to help people feel comfortable asking questions no matter their personal experience. We left feeling a little sad that we don’t live closer to experience their beautiful area and work together more to support folks with disabilities in the region.
Huge thanks to Goodwill Hose Company Ambulance Association for hosting us! And thank you to the attendees for sharing stories of finding missing persons who wander (some multiple times), supporting autistic people in car accident responses, and for telling us a few rattlesnake stories we don’t often get to hear!
Since we were at an EMS base for the training, we had the opportunity to take some photos of equipment. We will be using the images to help people understand what to expect in emergency situations in an ambulance. People may be safer if they know a little more about what to expect when they are sick or injured. Believe it or not, it is not uncommon for people to be arrested and charged for fear-based behaviors they may have during emergency situations, when they are injured or sick on the scene, or in an emergency room.
This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
As Kate prepares to bid farewell to her twenties, she is embracing a new challenge that goes beyond personal achievement. The 2024 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon run is a testament to her resilience, determination, and the belief that we can overcome any obstacle. Her motivation is deeply rooted in her desire to be a strong and healthy mom for her two children, demonstrating that we can conquer challenges and do hard things.
Get to know Kate through her interview here:
Tell us a little about Nanny Kate.
When I was 18, I moved in with my cousin who had just had a baby. I was going into my first year of cosmetology school, and in exchange for room and board, I nannied for her and created such a special bond with her son who was two months old when I moved in, and a little over a year old when I graduated. I was lovingly referred to as “Nanny Kate” during my time there. A few years later, he and his younger brother were both diagnosed with autism.
Ten years later, I am still Nanny Kate. They are both such wonderful boys and I couldn’t think of a better organization to run for than Autism Connection of PA.
You have a milestone birthday coming up! What makes this marathon extra special?
This August I will be turning 30! I’ve never been a runner but a group of my friends convinced me to give it a shot and I thought, what better way to say good bye to my twenties than a half marathon?
I have two kids at home and I want to show them that you can do hard things! My kids deserve a mom that is able to run around with them and be healthy enough to do so! That is my motivation for this whole thing.
Any tips for runners?
I’m not sure if I’m in any position to give running tips because I’m still a beginner myself, but if I could give other people wanting to run something like this, any tips it would be to just keep pushing and keep going. It’s gonna be really hard and you will want to quit but don’t…. Keep going and keep running!
As Kate laces up her running shoes and ventures into uncharted territory, Autism Connection of PA invites you to be a part of her journey. Your encouragement, donations, and shared belief in the power of community can make a profound impact.
While waiting for the coffee to finish brewing in the office kitchenette, my eyes fixated on the stream of coffee entering the carafe and the tranquil sounds it made in anticipation of the final surge of steam as the brewing finished. This concentrated focus drowned out a number of elements that flooded the surroundings, flickering lights, multiple distant voices, phones ringing, and the general energy of movement within the maze of cubicles.
During the reverie, I saw a peripheral figure approaching to my left, and a soft, clear voice flowed into my ears, “Good morning! How are you?” and at that moment, I straightened and turned my entire torso toward the person asking the question, stopping like a machine that produced speech. I heard my own voice say, “I am bereft of coffee.” And all memory of the moments following would never gel in my mind because I could only fixate on my social ineptitude.
Bereft of coffee. Who says that? Did you even make eye contact?
Bereft
Bereft is not a word used often in everyday conversation. It’s a complex, haunting word that comes from bereave, a term of loss and mourning that communicates that something is lacking.
Yes. I looked up the use of the word “bereft” over time. It really took a dip in the 1940s and I’ll probably try to find out why.
In the morning kitchenette interaction, the thing that was lacking was coffee, and the choice of the word bereft in this specific case seems a bit dramatic. The word may also communicate on some level that I really want to interact on your terms, but I just don’t know how. It takes a great deal of concentration and sometimes the words just pour out and I wish I could collect them and rearrange them into something, well, “normal.”
The coworker who kindly asked the question was likely to think, “Well, that was an unusual response,” and the moment would vanish along with the multiple mundane things that occur in a nondescript workday. But for me, this common office interaction became a source of shame that lingered for months. This wave of embarrassment was probably unnecessary but it is something that people on the autism spectrum face when they are aware of basic communication differences that can sometimes lead to misunderstanding.
Full Cup
When we have people who truly understand communication differences, we find that they often see these types of interactions insightful, and sometimes endearing. While lamenting to a trusted coworker about my perceived social awkwardness, she said how lovely it was that I was able to express such a deep love for coffee, and in turn, a deep appreciation for words. Bereft is a beautiful word that can express longing for acceptance, and even longing for something comforting, like a cup of coffee.
Your contributions of time, energy, and expertise have helped us in so many ways. From organizing events, providing support to families, raising awareness, and fundraising, you have been there for us every step of the way. Your hard work and dedication have enabled us to reach out to more people and provide them with the resources and support they need.
Your generosity and kindness have touched the hearts of many families in our community. Your willingness to lend a helping hand and be a source of comfort and support to those in need is truly remarkable. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we are forever grateful for everything that you do.
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, our friends at A Magical Fundraiser are hosting 13th Hour Entertainment and Autism Connection of PA for a casual night out at the Tonidale Pub in Robinson Township. A Magical Connectionis a fun, high-sensory event that benefits the region’s autism community.
This event features:
Dinner
Mindwarp Show featuring Mentalist/Magician Steve Haberman with the vocal talents of Tracy Lynn
Disc Jockey and Dancing by Nite Life DJz
Basket Raffle and 50/50 drawing
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania spoke with the talented Tracy Lynn and the amazing Steve Haberman.
Autism Connection (AC): You’re involved in many different endeavors. Can you share about 13 Hour Entertainment, A Magical Fundraiser, the Mindwarp show, and your partnership?
Tracy and Steve (TS): 13th Hour Entertainment Inc. is a company specializing in family and corporate entertainment.We have combined withMagic Wand Princess Parties, Nite Life DJzand other entertainers to provideA Magical Fundraiserto help organizations that have fundraising needs. We provide the entertainment for these functions along with advice on how to make fundraising events successful. From years of working at these events, we have learned a lot about how the organization can maximize their efforts and money generated. Over the years we have worked with schools, fraternal organizations, companies, and other charitable organizations. Our Mind Warp Show is one of the most popular entertainment options for this type of event. It combines magic, comedy, and music into one show that appeals to all audiences.
AC: How did you become involved with A Magical Connection Fundraiser for Autism Connection?
TS: We have a lot of friends and family who have children or relatives that are on the spectrum. We have been wanting to do a fundraiser for a few years now to benefit autism awareness, because we think it is important for families to know the support that is there for them and truly feel accepted. With the pandemic, our plans were put on hold. We have a very close friend who has autism that guided us to the Autism Connection of PA, and we couldn’t be happier to be working with this foundation.
Tracy Lynn and Steve Haberman
AC: Do you have any outstanding experiences with people on the autism spectrum as a performer/artist?
TS: Many entertainers that work with 13th Hour Entertainment have performed for people on the autism spectrum. Magician Steve Haberman in particular, performs at numerous schools throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia for school assemblies and there are normally kids at these events who have a range of disabilities, autism, and hidden differences. He has performed for children with special needs in smaller groups and birthday parties as well. Steve also provided magical entertainment for a convention at Pittsburgh’s David Lawrence Convention Center for an autism conference. During this conference, Steve performed multiple magic shows throughout the day for the kids while parents attended various meetings and lectures. It is our great pleasure to work with the Autism Connection of PA on a fundraiser for this very important cause.
Support for Autism Connection of PA directly impacts people of all ages facing many challenges related to autism. Contributions raised will fund: help for families seeking resources, development of inclusive, sensory friendly areas across Pennsylvania, first responder training, virtual and in-person workshops, school homeroom and assembly talks about hidden differences, educator and administrative training, justice system reform, and so much more.
The official registration and financial information of Autism Connection of PA may be obtained form the PA Department of State by calling 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement
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