CKC Portland
Tags:Delightful. I love being able to teach in the Northwest. Lots of familiar faces this past weekend - and a good variety of new ones as well. Thanks to everyone who came and played in the Discover Home class.
One of the most amazing things happened on Friday night at the crop - Chris, my Mom and I are still talking about it (and I think we probably will be for a long time to come). The Friday night crop featured about 450 women (and a couple men) working away on projects, participating in the games, and just overall enjoying the company of one another (and getting some layouts completed). I was called up to the front to give away some prizes on the stage. I stood up there, said my name, etc and then Simon (who had been in his stroller with Chris and my Mom) came running up on stage.

He came right over to me and took the mic. Mikayla grabbed a chair so he could stand up tall at the podium. He babbled a few words all scrunched up together. I asked him if he wanted to sing a song and he thought a moment and began with the ABC song.
No fear. No trepidation. He missed the "L" which got a good giggle from the crowd. A big round of applause came at the end of the song.
But he was not done yet.
Next came "If You Are Happy And You Know It." The awesome crowd played right along as he sang the entire thing - including "clap your hands," "pat your knees," "stomp your feet," "beep your nose," and "shout hooray." People were clapping and stomping and beeping right along with him. It was awesome. I was totally amazed the whole time - the look on my face and my mom's face and Chris' face was probably almost as entertaining for people as listening to Simon sing.
He was confident. He was proud. He kept right on singing, finishing with a little song called "I love Mommy, I love Daddy." Seriously.
Afterwards he got down from the stage and ran around between the tables - no talking to the scrapbookers of course (saying "no" to people as they tried to give him a high-five). Up close is too personal for him but give him a microphone and an attendant audience of almost 500 people and he is amazing.
If you were there and you took some photos could you please email me - I definitely have to do a layout about this adventure. Thanks to Jill for printing out the one shown above.

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113 comments
very awesome story -- thanks for sharing.
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WOW! I am so proud for you! What a big accomplishment for Simon.
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Wow, how cool Ali!! I bet it was adorable having Simon sing!!!I know you were all proud. Thanks for sharing and making me smile!
Jess
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Totally amazing. Sorry I wasn't there.
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I am having goosebumps all over reading this...
What a trooper! Our kids never stop to amaze us or so it seems...
Well done Simon and well done Mom to let him!
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I would say that miracles happen!
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Oh wow Ali...the look on your face says it all. I almost teared up reading this- what a "big" thing for him, and for you! Wow. Simon rockin' out. It's amazing how far he has come!
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wow - so amazing! and so cool! no wonder you are still talking about it.
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WOW!!! What a wonderful experience for everyone. Thanks Simon for sharing yourself so confidently with so many people, and thanks Ali for keeping it real - especially when the real is so marvelous.
One of the special joys of having a child with autism for me is the wide open not knowing of it - of course that is one of the challenges too. Still, my son Nathaniel does just as many surprising great things as he does surprising difficult things - I just have to remember to celebrate them.
Thanks for sharing!!! And, again, WOW!
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That is so amazing and encouraging. My son was diagnosed with autism last summer, when he was nearly 3, so I really enjoy hearing about other kids' accomplishments. It adds to our hope! Thanks for sharing, Jenn
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Sounds lovely. I wasn't able to take your class, maybe next year. I was going to say hi and thank you for all your talent when I saw you at lunch.......but it seemed too intrusive as you were having a quiet family moment.
So glad Simon had a great time.
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Love this story! Go Simon! Of course, the music therapist in me loves that it was songs he chose to share himself with! Wish I could have seen it!
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that was so cool to see. And it was great meeting Simon too. You guys are amazing together :)
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So, will we be hearing "Simon Edwards, your American Idol" anytime soon? LOL
Seriously, though, what a fun and awesome story- it's good to see that with the hurdles that Simon deals with daily, he was able to jump a huge one and not be afraid to get up and do what he did. I'm sure that as his parents, you are so happy that all of the hard work that Simon (and you, and his teachers, and everyone else in his life who loves him) puts in is paying off in the form of wonderful accomplishments.
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Ali, it sounds like Simon would have a blast in a program like the one I run in Madison (www.madcap.org). We are members of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and so I looked up what might be available in your area (http://www.nationalguild.org/non_member_search_results.cfm) but I have found that an awful lot of kids who face seemingly insurmountable challenges (autism, disorders on the autism spectrum, learning disabilities, depression/anxiety, etc) seem to come alive onstage or back stage and have wonderfully fulfilling experiences in musical theatre. Please e-mail me if you want to talk any further...I wish you lived closer so Simon could visit our school to see if he liked it! Perhaps if you're in the Chicago or Madison area teaching some time you could bring Simon in to give it a try!
kj
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Ali,
mom called me to tell the story last night. She said it was amazing. Simon's a natural rock star -- he's even got the messy hair look! love it.
Love,
jess
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How adorable!!! Simon will be an entertainer professionally someday...just you wait, we'll see him on the stage performing! So glad to hear he's so unafraid and able to be himself. You guys have got to be so proud! :)
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I think someone else has a future in politics....awesome
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wooo-hooo! yay, Simon!
Love that he enjoys sharing the spotlight with you- how cool!
He is so amazing- I can see you are just beaming with pride.
Thanks for sharing.
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WOW - that is so cool, and how lucky for all those there to see Simon in his moment! Youmust be soo very proud of that cool little dude! Go Simon!
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