My fave part of visiting other blog giveaways is finding resources for able2able. Sometimes these resources are in the form of giveaway items that the manufacturer might not be aware could be useful to a Special Needs child. But as an information junkie, I get most excited when my addiction leads to online resources to share with able2able readers.
I learned about the HollyRod Foundation through the blog Mocha Dad. I entered and won Mocha Dad's giveaway for an autographed copy of My Brother Charlie
, a children's book about having a sibling with Autism that Holly co-authored with her daughter, Ryan Elizabeth Peete.
Holly Robinson's father, Matthew T. Robinson, Jr., was the original Gordon on Sesame Street and also a writer and producer for The Cosby Show. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the young age of 46. Holly and her husband, NFL Quarterback Rodney Peete, experienced the emotional devastation of a progressive disease like Parkinson's as they cared for Mr. Robinson. They recognized that they were not just blessed in having the resources to properly care for a family member in need, but they were also blessed to face Mr. Robinson's illness with him as a family.
They formed the HollyRod Foundation in Mr. Robinson's honor in 1997, to help other Parkinson's patients get access to care, treatments, services, and medications. When the Peete's eldest son, RJ, was diagnosed with Autism, the mission of the HollyRod Foundation was expanded to include the HollyRod4kids Initiative with information about Autism and resource links.
Providing information and support appears to be a mission of the Peete family and not just the foundation that bears their name. Daughter Ryan co-authored My Brother Charlie
with her mother. Ryan also has her own Autism Sibling Support Spot & Blog. Father Rodney has written his own book, Not My Boy!: A Father, A Son, and One Family's Journey with Autism
.Holly herself is a spokeswoman and advocate for Autism Awareness. You can read her article 8 Facts About Autism the Media is Not Covering that was published today on the Huffington Post. Holly and RJ recorded a duet for the Autism benefit CD, Fly into Autism.
There's a lot going on at this website, but the more time you spend there the more the site's organization makes sense. Click on the Autism or Parkinson's tabs to get to resources. I like their concept of "starter" links to information for families new to either diagnosis.
I've looked at a lot of different foundation websites over the past year, and I have to say that I really appreciate the personal way the HollyRod Foundation represents its mission. I also appreciate how extensive and accessible they are trying to make their information resources. Instead of letting funding define how many people they can serve, the HollyRod Foundation recognizes how priceless good information is when you and your family are facing life changing challenges.
You might also like:
Directory of Blogs with Tips for Parents and Individuals New to Autism and Aspergers
Directory of Financial Support for Families with Special Needs Children (I found some of the links in this Directory at the HollyRod site)
Clara-Bear's Autism Diagnosis Part 1: Why Mommy was so Angry
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