Jenna vs. Raymond Babbit

Every parent worries.  Not every parent worries about how they describe their daughters disorder to people she meets.  This is something I struggle with daily.  My daughter Jenna, who is pretty much my favorite person in the whole wide world, was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was almost 2.  The actual diagnosis is a PDD-NOS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not otherwise specified.  Yeah, try saying that ten times fast.  Want another test?  Here is a clinical definition.  http://childstudycenter.yale.edu/autism/information/pddnos.aspx  I barely understand it, let alone know how to explain it.  So I look for examples in media.

Dustin Hoffman deserved the academy award he won for his 1988 role in RainMan.  He played Raymond Babbit, an adult male diagnosed with Autistic Savant Syndrome.  Before my daughter was born this was my only known introduction to someone with ASD.  What is fascinating and sad is that this is still the best, most readily understood example I can give to people of my generation to explain how my daughter interacts with the world.  

 Problem is, Hoffman isn't an Autistic adult.  He is a very talented actor.  His portrayal of self injurious behavior, his portrayal of repetitive flapping and his strict routine of TV shows are not all that make up the life of someone with autism.  There are problems with using him as an example, which are detailed in this blog: http://www.interactingwithautism.com/section/understanding/media/representations/details/38  So I have continued to look around for other people in media to help folks I meet understand my daughter a little more.

So here comes Temple Grandin.  She is an articulate, brilliant and high functioning example of an autistic person.  Lots of people lately have been talking to me about Temple when they meet my daughter.  I think Temple is great in the fact they she really opens peoples eyes to different minds, different ways of thinking.  I think everyone should watch her TED talk as it is very good at describing the High Functioning end of the Autism Spectrum.  I also think everyone who does watch it should watch her mannerisms when she speaks about low functioning autistes.  Also, Temple tends to lend an autistic diagnosis to people like Einstein and Tesla, Jefferson and Sagan.  This in no way helps anyone understand the Autism Disorder.  In my opinion, it simply confuses folks.

So I have continued to look around for more instances of Autism in media and finally have found one. It has what anyone questioning what the disorder is like for Children and families affected by it would need.  Where you might ask? On Netflix of course!  A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism is the name. I recommend it if you are one of those people wondering what Autism is like for those affected by it.  Spoiler alert: if you emote, if you are free with your emotions, be prepared with tissues.  This is a tear-jerker but well worth it for the real life situations it shows.  What I especially like about it is that it focuses on the low functioning and middle of the spectrum instead of the High Functioning end.

My daughter isn't at either end of the spectrum.  She is in the middle, like most children and adults with Autism Spectrum disorder.  She has lots of abilities that are amazing, including an encyclopedic memory for songs and an ability to "script" scenes she has seen only a few times.  She has learned to mimic people in language and action.  She struggles however with over stimulation and her ability to communicate her own thoughts.  Also, she has issues with spacial awareness and runs into inanimate objects from time to time.  What I want to know is what her aspirations are.  When she is upset I want to know why and how I can help.  I think this movie can help and more.  It can help you understand what people affected by autism go thru.

 Jenna and Mom petting sheep.

 Jenna attempting to feed a peacock.

Jenna, as Minnie Mouse, ready for Halloween.

Get it in Writing!

Ever had a Politician come to your door and tell you how their party will make your life perfect if only you vote for them?  If you live in New Brunswick you better get it in writing.  This week the New Brunswick Liberal Government has come under fire about promises made to the Coalition of Seniors' and Nursing Home Residents by our new Premier, Brian Gallant.  One of his Cabinet minsters and Atcon 6'er, Donald Arsenault stood up in front of the media yesterday and with a straight face said, "Show me in the Liberal Platform during last year's election where we broke our promise to seniors."  Jacques Poitras was there and made this report: http://www.cbc.ca/news/senior-care-changes-not-a-broken-promise-liberals-argue-1.3044118

Poitras discusses in this piece that these same Liberals complained about this same practice being used by the then Premier David Alward, who made election promises about an emergency drug plan being ready in a one year time frame.  When he failed to deliver by 2013, the election ready Libs called him out on it and learned a valuable tactic it seems. 

John, you are likely thinking, how is this news?  Politicians lie all the time.  This is a known fact, why are we even discussing it here?  Great point by you, the reader, I must say.  You are 100% correct.  Our leaders seem to constantly be at odds with what they promise to get elected and what they feel they must do to remain in power.  Just means, in my opinion, that big change is needed in the way we elect and re-elect our leaders.  

Lets first discuss who our leading parties have been in this province. Liberals and Conservative parties are the only two who have formed governments.  Yup, that is correct.  We have never been led by anyone who isn't Blue or Red. Here is the full list of results since confederation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_post-confederation_New_Brunswick_general_elections I would even take it one step farther and say that as much as these two parties "seem" to argue and differ, they are really very similar in their results.  This makes New Brunswick a One Party system, in my opinion.  We are all victims of this long line of incompetence that has used nepotism, cronyism and total and abject misuse of the public trust to put us in a truly dire fiscal situation which I don't think either party can see a way out of.  I have been attempting to struggle thru the Atlantic Institute of  Market Studies report on the debt history of our province.  To me, Section II is the most telling, especially our provincial credit rating.  http://www.aims.ca/site/media/aims/AIMS2014-NB%20Debt%20Study,%20Final%20%28prepared%20for%20publication%29%281%29.pdf 

I am no financial wizard.  Left to my own devices I spend all my money  and then wait for my next paycheck.  Sadly, I am more fiscally responsible than our governments have been for the last...Ever years.  They continue to borrow money they have no way of paying back.  Latest evidence, Liberals 900 million dollar infrastructure plan.  

Paving roads isn't the answer.  We need a way to generate revenue that we don't have to pay back.  And to that end we need to change the way we elect and allow governments to be re elected. 

I think everything should be on the table.  Maximum terms in office, mandatory voting, dropping the voting age to 16 or even changing the way we actually elect our MLA's.  Yes I am talking about the "dreaded" Proportional representation.  Not saying PropRep doesn't have issues, like you vote for a party and not a candidate, but hell look what we have been working with so far!  As it is we vote for two sides of the same coin.  With PropRep every party in the last New Brunswick election would have won at least one seat. 

As you can see this certainly would have changed things.  Liberals would likely have been held to promises not covered in writing because if they hadn't lived up to them the Green/NDP/PA alliance could have moved to support the PC's who then could form a government. Most importantly almost 52% of the votes cast in our latest election didn't actually elect anyone.  We have a large proportion or residents who are not represented in our Legislative Assembly. 

What we most need in our province is an engaged electorate.  Voter turnout is at an all time low, and I think it has a lot to do with some of the things I have covered over this essay.  We feel under represented.  We feel like our vote doesn't count, and to a certain point we are right.  And that is why we must all come out in the next election and vote and make sure our power is felt by those we choose to lead us.  Don't just vote for Blue or Red because your parents did.  Really engage in what the candidates are saying.  Read the parties platforms, yes even the People's Alliance platform.  It was the one that had the most real concrete numbers in the last election. Speak to the canvassers that come to your door.  If you don't get the answers from them call and speak to the candidate themselves.

Since we still use the old system of the ancient Greeks I will leave you with this quote from one of the most well known of them...

Free speech and Me.

So I have been struggling with myself lately.  I dislike hypocrisy, most especially when I sense it in myself.  I love Evelyn Beatrice Hall's quote, "I may disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it."  Yet there are words, phrases and idioms that when I hear them in public send me into a frothing rage.  Most especially these words center around mental health.  The one most on my radar, sadly the one I hear most often, is "retarded".  I have verbally berated multiple co workers about using this word in my presence or at all.  I have tried to explain to them the meaning of the word and how their improper use of it creates a hateful environment. 

It fails, they still say it.  Sometimes they catch themselves and apologize and I am left wondering if I am even right in the first place for bringing it up.  Is it my place to say something?  Should I just go to a superior and tell them?  Problem is, I have heard managers use the same language and laugh it off when I call them on it. I am certain this will be a problem I will fight all my life, mostly because I have a big mouth.

But now we come to the meat of my thesis. Am I a big fat hypocrite for stomping on these peoples right to say what they want?  Is there a line to draw?  Luckily I am not the only one facing this struggle.  France over the last months has revisited a decades old discussion after the "Charlie Hebdo" attacks and subsequent arrests for "Hate Speech". If you aren't up on things, check out this concise report http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2015/02/10/384959376/the-french-debate-free-speech-versus-hate-speech Here in Canada our Free speech is covered first and foremost in the Charter of rights and freedoms in Section 2 which grants every Canadian: a)Freedom of conscience and religion, b)freedom of thought, belief, expression and opinion(including free press), c)freedom of peaceful assembly and d)freedom of association.  In New Brunswick this is bolstered by Human rights act.(linked here) http://www.gnb.ca/hrc-cdp/08-e.asp  

Of course, our laws are imperfect.  The language of them leaves much of the definition to the reader and the courts have gone both ways on questions about Free speech vs. Hate speech depending on the skills of the lawyers or the distastefulness of the content.  I mean, it is easy to say that someone denying the Holocaust is full of hate but what about someone who is questioning the duality in buses in poor old New Brunswick.  Does the tone of the speech mean anything in this debate?  If someone eloquently speaks about something hateful does it make it less hateful.  

I feel therefore I speak up I guess. "Free speech ends when it impedes others from having a peaceful and harmonious life" is the best definition I have found to encapsulate my thoughts on the subject.   I have become more passionate about the difference between hate and free speech in the last few years.  My daughters disability has heightened my tension when it comes to Ableism.  My hotheadedness when it comes to the issue scares me from time to time.  I fear for the person who first uses the word in the presence of me and my daughter.  My hope is that talking it out here in this forum will help me to better understand my own foibles and fallibility. 

 I am blessed to live in a country that has these rights. I am lucky to have lived on the fringes of this until lately.  It is much easier to look at a thing objectively when it doesn't directly affect you.  I am also lucky enough to have the ability to come home and forget the ignorance that can surround and abuse my senses from time to time.  I can just tune it all out and put on JJ and let all my cares slip away for a while.  Until someone poops or is hungry...

UNB Varsity Reds Men's and Women's Soccer Preview.

The Varsity Season is upon us already. This weekend both the Men's and Women's Soccer squads will head off to the "Rock" and play back to back games against the Memorial University teams.  I have had a chance to watch a few games and looked at the rosters to give you a little preview to what we might expect from both sides this year.

2014 Women's Soccer

Head Coach Jon Crossland, along with his assistants Joe Crossland and George Lucas, seem to have built their team from the net out.  Making a big off season acquisition bringing in Sami Jo Bell(Keeper), third year transfer from St. Mary's.  She seems to have gelled with the team well, as they have only given up one goal in their four preseason games leading up to this weekends opener.  The back line, of course, has also played a big part in their success in the preseason. From seeing many of the games last season I know that these ladies play tough defense and will come away with a few clean sheets this year.  Scoring took a big hit with the news that Brianna Ford is not returning this year.  She was an AUS all star and will be missed.  The ladies did have a three goal outburst in one of their Preseason matches against Bishop's.  Lauren Cubbon, Ellen Arsenault and Emily Sarty all got on the board. A game in which Brittany Carroll(Keeper) got the win, and will hope to keep pressure on Sami Jo for top performances.  

With not many changes from last year this team should do much better than their 4 wins, 7 losses, and 2 ties.  Solid defense, sharp transitions and sticking to the system the coaches are bringing will likely make sure that happens.  I see this team in the playoffs at the end of their Regular Season and looking to make waves against those Nova Scotian powerhouses Cape Breton, along with the rest of the AUS conference teams. Good Luck to the Ladies!

2014 Men's Soccer

The coaching staff from this team must be proud of their accomplishment last year. Playing great as the hosts of the CIS  Men's Soccer Championships and walking away with a Bronze medal for their efforts. Miles Pinsent, David Rouse, Ken and Barry Morrison along with George Lucas will be looking forward to this regular season no doubt.  It should be repeated that they won the AUS title last year, marching strong into nationals.

Coach Pinsent has one of those great problems starting from the Keeper position.  Two solid contenders to start. Aaron McMurray and Brandon Eagle both started games last year, both had clean sheets but both have had to battle injuries.  No matter which one gets the start each match you can rest assured you are going to get 100% from either.  McMurray did shine brightest last, as he had pivotal saves in the shoot out versus York at CIS Nationals last year.  The back line will miss Yassin Chehab El Din who graduated last year. If my math is right though Ben Law and Jason Rouse should be back from the Bronze medal team to keep things tidy in front of the net.

Through the middle is where I think this team should shine this year.  Four players in particular should really cause fits for opposition defenders.  Diego Padilha and George Lawton could turn into a dynamic duo of holding midfielders.  They in turn will look to free up Marcus Lees and Oliver Jones who will attack teams down both sides of the pitch with pace and precision.  I think you will hear a lot from these four this year and if it is positive the sky could be the limit.  At striker this may be the year of the "Glasgweigen" Robert Park, but whoever does end up starting at the front should expect a decent diet of good service from the midfield. 

Other changes include the losses of Yousuf Mohammad and Amir Razak, both of whom played mostly at the striker position last year so that may be the weak point of the squad. This was a dominant side last year, going 8-2-3. They were AUS regular season champs along with their AUS Banner and CIS Bronze, so they have lofty heights to climb to get back to last years success.  I think this team has the potential to get back to those same standards though.  Good luck to the Men, and of course #GOVREDS!

The simplest things.

When I woke up this morning to the sound of my daughters running feet, I had a feeling of dread. I knew I was going to have to tackle a really tough job this morning. Cleaning Jenna's ears.  Sounds silly right.  Why should I be worried about doing such a simple thing?

Lets go back a couple of years to Jenna's first hearing test at the +DECH.  She was four and we were concerned that her delay in speech may have been affected by her hearing.  Like diligent parents we brought her into an area that was ill equipped for a child with an +Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Not surprisingly Jenna had a bad reaction at first.  She is sensitive about anything to do with her head, and especially her ears.  Luckily we had our support staff with us, in the form of an AST and supervisor from Autism Intervention NB, who helped with explaining the special needs that Jenna has.  Still the procedures were a nightmare.  There is no worse feeling than having to hold on to your child, who is in a panic over a procedure that she cannot understand and we had no way of explaining to her.  Her strength is astounding and her tears are powerful, my wife was unable to help at all and it took the rest of us, that is four adults, to restrain Jenna so the procedure could take place.

I could also talk about the few times Jenna has been sick enough to need liquid medication.  Sounds simple right. Put 10 CC's of medicine in the handy dandy syringe and squirt it into her mouth. It tastes like banana, all kids love banana.  We soon found out Jenna hated "Ba ana" as she screamed it over and over. Kicking, flailing, punching, pinching, squirming until we were spent and she was free.  Thank goodness I was resourceful enough to eventually reach out to the pharmacist who suggested, brilliantly, that I get berry flavor and put it in some apple/strawberry sauce.

These kinds of challenges are the toughest for me to talk about with friends and family.  I am starting to realize though that these are the stories I need to be best at conveying.  These and many other examples bring to light the need, in my opinion, for everyone to see the challenges parents of children with Autism face every day.  More education on how serious some cases of the disorder are.  More media coverage of the tougher side of Autism.  More support at municipal, provincial and federal government levels to prepare for and help the waves of adults with Autism who are in our villages, cities and towns right now.

Especially we need solid, science/fact based research into how to best treat and care for children and adults with Autism of all types but especially for those at the more severe end of the spectrum.  Studies in these cases is difficult for sure, for some of the reasons I have pointed out, but so very necessary if we are to really help these kids.  It is very easy for researchers to use the highest functioning of those affected because they can retrieve data more smoothly but it defeats the purpose when these studies are then applied to a huge spectrum of disorder with what could be catastrophic results.

You will be happy to know that I got Jenna's ears cleaned.  The process was easier than it has been in the past.  I knew what to have ready to distract, I knew the signs to watch for in case she became anxious.  Still though, next time it may not be the same. The dread will be there again, all from the simplest things.

2014-2015 Varsity Reds Men's Basketball Preview.

Here we go with my first team preview for the upcoming Varsity Red season. I am starting with Men's Basketball as it is the team I am most excited to watch and in my opinion the one with the best opportunity to go deep into +CIS playoffs. Last year of the VReds were 10-10 in a very strong +AUS conference that saw both the VReds and the St. Mary's Huskies feature in the top ten rankings at some point through the year.

Head Coach Brent Baker, along with his assistants Don McNeil, Dan Goggin, Pat Troy and Trevor Pardy must be pleased with their results last year. The team was very fit and pushed the pace in most games(especially in their wins).  The staff seems to build their offence around their guards and they are blessed in that position for the upcoming year.  They also push for great defense, which was a bit of a struggle at times last season. Last season they gave up the second most points per game in the AUS, a stat I am sure will be first on the list to work on this coming season. This coaching staff have had some recent success recruiting and are looking to get payed big dividends this season from that hard work.  The only senior graduating last year was Daniel Quirion, who will be missed. He was a great leader for this team and the staff will have to look to see who will be the next from the returnees.

Now lets do a little run down on the positions:

Guards- Matt Daley(4th), Will McFee(5th), Javon Masters(2nd), MacKenzie Washburn(5th)

Now this list may seem short for a coach that likes his guard play. I will look at that a bit later in recruits and rumors. For now lets focus on all the positives that we have in this group.  Starting with Mr. Matt Daley who should be the floor general for this team. He is a double threat to pass and score, isn't scared to get gritty and likes to play "Badger Ball".  Will McFee seems to me to be one of the most level headed and well rounded people I have ever met. The Australian is doing well a long way from home. He takes(and makes) good shots and can change the momentum of a game with a big play on either end of the floor.(See last years Eric Garland tourney for proof.) Will should also be hungry as he missed 8 games last year due to injury after having been top scorer and an AUS All-Star in 12-13.  Javon Masters will look to continue to grind after an amazing rookie campaign. He led the country, I said the whole! CIS, in scoring last year with 27.4 PPG. He was an AUS All Star, AUS ROY, All CIS Rookie team and CIS ROY, beating out his friend Dani Elgadi who had 18 PPG and 12 RPG for the Brock Badgers of the OUA.  What can he do to improve? Just what he has done if all signs are correct.  Work on strength and conditioning, continue to compete at an intense level on every play and working Coach Bakers offense to its max potential while locking up his opposite number on the defensive end.  This young man's ceiling is very high and he has the potential, in my opinion, to be a top level pro.

Forwards- Mark Matheson(3rd), Ryan Smith(5th), Dylan Baker(2nd), Jordan Irvine(5th), Alex Carty(2nd), Alec Parise(3rd)

Leadership is going to be well represented in this group as both Ryan Smith and Jordan Irvine are in their final year and played with and were likely influenced by Dan Q. over the last four seasons.  These two are very similar in their play.  Both can play in the paint against much larger opponents as they had to last year in some situations. They can also both stretch out the floor and drain a three pointer along with setting hard screens and making life difficult for opposing players with tough play in the paint.  Dylan Baker is ready to have a break out season. Another young Aussie who has made the trip to New Brunswick he has a chance to be a real game changer this year.  He has the ability to give opposing coaches fits with match ups as he can shoot from range and drive the lane. Alec Parise is a converted volley baller who played some big minutes last year when Ryan Smith went down with injuries and also against Owen Klassen (AUS Player of the Year, Acadia) who the VReds threw all of their big men at during their epic battles last season.  Alec's defensive ability is top notch, as he is long and hard working. If he has some offensive gains this year he will be sure to continue to see minutes.

Them Bigs- Sanvir "Sunny" Johal(4th), Micheal Fazzolari(4th), Alex Caskey(4th), Hussein Egal(2nd)

Sunny Johal had a rough start last year, having been injured in the first game last season versus the Dal Tigers. He did bounce back and contribute and looks to continue with the same steady play. Competition should be healthy for minutes among the bigs as Micheal Fazzolari and Hussein Egal did well last year in their roles. Egal is a real rim protector at 6-10 and with the weight I hear he gained over the summer could fight for a starting spot in this line up. His ability to score efficiently when he gets the opportunity will likely decide.  Fazzolari, my favorite player and best costumer, is another proponent of "Badger Ball".  He is likely to walk up to my counter on a Monday with a smile and a big shiner from his weekend battles on the court. His hustle and drive will set a great example for the whole team.

Rumors/Recruits

There are no postings yet of official announcements of new recruits for the upcoming VReds season but I have some sources close to the team who have some young men on their radar.  Rayon Miller is a name to listen for. 6'2" combo guard from Ontario who was a stand out for Northern Kings and Bridgton Academy last year and was named MVP of the SBA Platinum tournament at which his team went 5-0.  He would be a great fit on a team that needs another scoring guard to replace Dan Q.  Here is hoping the VReds can get this young man landed, along with their other recruits.

The Competition

The AUS is always competitive and this season should be no different. SMU, Acadia, UPEI and StFX all had solid teams last year.  The Capers were knocking on the door at the end of the year. Dal and Memorial have no where to go but up, but they also have talent and ability to recruit so the VReds will have no cake walk.  Acadia and St. Mary's should challenge the VReds at the top of the standings but don't be surprised if one of the teams you least expect to make noise early.

This year holds lots of promise for this squad.  Staying healthy and playing the up tempo game is tough to do but when it works like it did for most of last year it is a lot of fun to watch and should make for intense viewing come November.

Updates

VReds have inked up a couple of recruits that I failed to note in this Blog post. Nikola Mandic, who played Junior College ball last year in the states is a real stretch four who brings size and shooting ability to the Men's Basketball program.  The 6'9", 215 pound Serb should bring another problem to the table for opposing defenses.  The VReds also recruited 6'3", 175 pound Haroun Mohamed.  This young man impressed scouts with his two way ability.  He averaged 22.5 PPG, 7 RPG and 3 SPG last year in the competitive AAU High School league in/around Toronto.  He is a lock down defender from what I have heard and should be able to match up at the next level in the AUS.

Blogosphere beware, there is a new Cook in town!

Shalom, beinvenue, hola, Ni how, and half a dozen other greetings.  Here I will attempt to bring you witty, thought provoking and generally fun posts about what I am thinking or seeing in my Town, province, country.  I will undoubtedly talk about sports at length. Politics and News will be well represented, focusing on Fredericton and New Brunswick first.  I will link to other well written and interesting blogs I find on the interwebs and attempt to follow their leads and be coherent and fair to any subject I tackle.

As always, I love to talk to folks and will always be happy to read comments and answer all questions and engage in debate on tough issues so that everyone can hopefully see the other side.  My opinions are numerous but fluid.  I love to be convinced about something and hope that some of you who read the posts I write will excite me with new thoughts on a topic I thought I had complete understanding of.  This is a great chance for me to learn a lot about myself.

Thanks for taking the time to read my mission statement. I will be bringing you some new posts in the days and weeks to come.  Going to start by taking a look at some of the VReds Varsity teams and their chances in the AUS this season.  Go VREDS!