At Queen's Park - day 34

Today is Demarco's last day at Children's College. He is ready to go to first grade in his home public school now. In two years of intense behavioral therapy he caught up to his age group from being at one percentile in his development. He went form a four year old speaking one word sentences to a quite outspoken and energetic first grader to be whose biggest problem now is that he wants to be the first to do everything. Tanny, his mom was commuting every day from Kitchener to Toronto for two years and it payed off.


She decided to spend that last day supporting my protest. She is one of the most generous people, and I have never met anyone with bigger heart. I will miss her. I will miss our long talks that somehow always ended of finished with autism, but she is one of few people that I feel free to discuss my personal things, like family dynamics, or body functions and conditions.

Congratulations Demarco, and good luck Tanny. You are the greatest and the bravest mom!

Saturday at home

Saturday is supposed to be a day of rest for us, but instead... Sebastian cried in the morning, and rubbed his eyes a little. I gave him some Benadryl and he was better, but we were about 10 minutes late for our therapy session, where he cried and tried to grab the therapist's face. After the session, we went to farmers' market, and after that to Home Depot to meet my brother. He agreed to help me to fix the siding on the side of my house. We came home, and Sebastian had another tantrum. I gave him more antihistamine and he was fine for a while. We managed to put couple of strips of siding on the house. Sebastian got out in the yard, and minutes later he started crying really hard. I gave him allergy medication and some painkiller, and he cried himself to sleep around seven. Then the rain came and we had to stop work. Sebastian woke up around nine, and his eyes were very red and swollen and looked like plums. He was not getting better after more antihistamine, and he was crying and biting himself non stop for a long time. I did not know what else to do, and I decided to go to emergency. He quieted down in the car, and was quite fine in the hospital. They have filtered air there. I wish I had clean air in my house, at least in one room.

It did not take long in the emergency at all, and we were home before midnight. the doctor told us go give him some over-the-counter allergy medicine, and not to let him go outside much. I have never had any allergies myself, and for me it is quite hard to figure out what to do and how to help Sebastian. He cried at night, and it was quite hard. But today I tried to keep him loaded with the correct doses of antihistamine, and he stays inside most of the time, and things are fine.

On my way to the hospital I was thinking that my motherhood is a constant trial and exercise in helplessness. I do not understand why kids have to suffer. I have to change my definition of God the way I was brought up to understand it, because if God created everything that is going on in the world, he is also responsible for an infinite amount of pain and suffering, and therefore simply the most cruel entity imaginable.

Mark Kelley email

I received this email from Mark Kelley today:

I was just forwarded your blog, and read your comments about our coverage of your story. Connie's treatment was to reveal the isolation you feel because you have no support from the government, including the fact what little support you get will soon be lost. Our second guest Linda Needham said specifically how she had to wait 4 years for help for her son 20 years ago, how the waiting list is even longer now, and how expensive that help can be...if you are lucky enough to get it. Her point was that people who may feel isolation should find some other support to help them through the waiting period. She offers that support- as a volunteer for the past 15 years.

Blaming us for failing to mention your petition is fair. Blaming us for communist-style propaganda?

I am happy to include, on our website, the fact you have a petition, and we can endeavor to put a link to it. I'm not sure why you have come to the conclusion we were out to misrepresent your struggle. It's a touching story that received an overwhelming response from our viewers. Our aim was to bring the struggle of parents with autism to light, rather than leaving it in the shadows of political neglect.

Sincerely,

Mark Kelley

At Queen's Park - day 33

I bought a new phone yesterday, and I thought it was locked. I called my cell phone company last night and they told me it was locked. Today I drove all the way to the mall to have it unlock again, but in the store the phone was working perfectly. On my way back from the mall the phone company guy called me to check if my phone was working all right. Yeah, it was. I wasted my precious time and gas to go back and forth for nothing.

I was at the Queen's Park a shorter time than normal, because I tried to sort out that cell phone thing. By the way, I do not like cell phones. Maybe one day I will get some device I will not be able to live without, but for now I find them expensive and confusing and bothersome. I have to have one though. There are less and less payphones around, and I need a cell phone for emergencies.

On my drive home I had couple of new ideas of how to advocate for Sebastian. There are some difficulties, but I have to keep going.

Tomorrow we are going to have speech therapy at 11. We will go to farmers market to get vegetables, and I think we will not go to Toronto. I have to regroup, and rest a little. It looks like our fight is not a sprint but a marathon. But hey, I am stubborn and Sebastian is half Kenyan. I think we are a strong team.

At Queen's Park - day 32

Today I got up at 5 to separate meat from bones and grind the chicken meat that I cooked last night. I made lunch and fried pancakes for Sebastian's breakfast and snack. After Sebastian woken up, we went for my doctor's appointment, then we drove to Children's College. Then I went to a mall to get a cell phone. I came To a Queens Park later than usual. I met a very nice woman, and did not realizing how late it was, talking a bit too long. Than I got caught up in traffic, and I was late to pick up Sebastian. Bother.

The new cell phone I bought is locked. I have to go back to the mall. Bother.

At Queen's Park - day 31

Today in Queen's park there is a memorial for the soldiers killed in our last war. There are many black and white portraits of young, Canadian soldiers. Small Canadian flags surround them and a man, possibly the maker of the pictures, in contemplative pose is sitting in the midst of them.

It was raining this morning. I have to waterproof myself for the autumn. My sign is made out of paper, and I have to get something that will not melt in the rain. I also need some gum boots and a waterproof parka. But for today I waited for the rain to end and I went to the bank instead. Some people want to donate money for Sebastian's therapy, and I would not feel comfortable to have the funds thrown in my personal checking account, so I opened savings account for him.

Transition to school meeting

I have a little to say about the Sebastian's transition to school meeting. When I came to Children's College there were two, and not just one lady to observe Sebastian, and that let the school know what Sebastian's needs are. I registered Sebastian in St. Lawrence School, and on the meeting before vacation we were told by the principle that St. Lawrence will take in students from St Mary's that was closed, and therefore there will not be an extra room for Sebastian even if he needs it, so maybe he will be taken to another school that has more room. We also do not know, and neither the transition coordinators knew who will be Sebastian's teaching assistant, what kind of qualifications they will have, what kind of experience they have with autistic children. What is required to be qualified to teach autistic children in school system is a part time course that provides some
theory and tips of how to deal with difficult behavior, but not real practical knowledge. The teaching assistant is then guided by a class teacher, whose profession is teaching normally developing children. The teaching assistant has no support from a clinical psychologist or other professional specialized in autism.

Do you understand now why I am concerned?

And the Ministry of education sends me all these long and fancy letters about how much effort they put in "successful transitioning" children to schools. I have no doubt they put in effort. I have no doubt that they are successful in their own minds. I also have no doubt that they are not ready to take on children like Sebastian without him regressing and loosing such painstakingly gained skills.
God help me.

At Queen's Park - day 30

Every day is different here in front of the Ontario Parliament Building. Every day there are a lot of foreign tourists, but other things change. Today I have company. Three more protestors from the Organization of Victims of Psychotronic Weapons who are protesting against government experiments with mind control. They have signs and a petition, and people are interested and asking them lots of questions. I had a friend tell me to get a FaceBook petition few days ago, but I did not have time to get to it. I definitely have to do it now. I also have to start gathering real signatures.

The other fantastically different thing about today is that I have internet access right from under Whitney statue just yards away from the famous yellow hash-marks! It's slow but that is where from I am posting from now! Pictured below is my work station. In the background is the shadow of Sir Whitney, the sixth Ontario Prime Minister.



Today Sebastian has an hour visit at the Children's College by one of his transition coordinators. She has two visits scheduled to see him at his therapy, and than she will share her observations in order to provide information and training to the school. I think it would be much more efficient to have schools send their teachers and have hands-on practical training with real therapists and psychologists. And then, for the process to be successful, have on-sight training with actual kids, supervised by experienced professionals. And even then, no autism therapist works without the support of a professional clinical psychologist who designs programs according to the individual needs of student.

But the people who work in the ministries care only that their process looks good on paper reports. So as long as they can use the required words, that at the moment happen to be Applied Behavioural Analysis, they are fine with it. They do not listen to the kid's cries or tend their bite marks, or change an eight years old boy diapers, whose potty training at six regressed after two years in public school.

At Queen's Park - day29

Today Queen's Park is full of gray heads and the sounds of brass band. All against the background noise of jack hammers behind the fence due to some mayor renovations on the left wing of the building that have been going on for some time now. Most of the seniors speak what may be Ukrainian, I am not quite sure. Many people wear peasant style cross-stitch embroiled shirts. There are couple of scouts, priests in long black robes, and blue and yellow flags, so yes, they are Ukrainian. There is something very sweet and charming in those sound and views, and yet I know that to each of those gray haired heads there is attached a story of human struggle and survival, the realities of a past that is difficult for us to imagine, and maybe easier to be forgotten, but today they all came here to remember.

At Queen's Park - day 28

Sebastian had a great day, he was calm and relaxed. We saw big Philippine manifestation that was going through University Avenue with band drums, and hundreds of people dressed in green t shirts. I thought they would stop in front of the Queen's Park and we would have lots of company, but they passed us by.

At Queen's Park - day 27

I was working on Saturday. Sebastian had speech therapy in the morning with his new therapist, and it went very well. Than we went to the farmers' market to load up on fruits and vegetables - Sebastian was a bit cranky at the market. After that I rushed to prepare food for the night, and dropped him off to the babysitter, (one day I will tell you more about her, I am very lucky she is my neighbour). Then I went to Toronto and managed to squeeze in a little time in front of Queen's Park - it was very quiet when I was there. After that I made it on time to work,(we were serving at Indian/Irish wedding)and came back home at 12:40 AM. Sebastian got up at seven this morning. He is in a very good mood. I am doing this post in the hurry, I will make some pancakes, and we will head up to Toronto.

When I was talking to my coworkers yesterday they told me stay home, take care of my son, rest and do not bother, because they thought that the government does not care about individuals, will not listen to one single mother, is corrupt anyway. They thought that I will only exhaust myself and achieve nothing. I would like to hope that the future will prove them wrong. For now, the evidence shows they might be right.

At Queen's Park - day 26

Weather-wise, it was just a fantastic day today. I have become one of the Queen's Park tourist attractions because tourists ask if they can make pictures of me. I never thought it would come to this ;)

I try to get organized and I feel a bit overwhelmed by how much I have to do. Today I managed to do the "To Do" list. Maybe finally I will use my computer calendar regularly. I habitually use scraps of papers I am loosing all the time, and problems with short term memory create a lot of frustration daily. If I do not physically see something it stops existing in my mind.

My list is about 20 items long, and about 10 of them I marked as high priority. I feel Like I need a personal assistant, or maybe two! And a housekeeper. So if I did not answer your email please be patient, I will get to it. Your support means a lot to me.

Answer from Ministry of Education to my McGuinty letter

I received this answer to my letter to Dalton McGuinty. It is not from the Premier himself. He can delegate. It is from Ministry of Education.
Here is my letter
Here it is the answer.
Feel free to comment:

Dear Ms. Bunda,

Thank you for your e-mail to the Honourable Dalton McGuinty in which you shared concerns about your son, Sebastian, who has autism. The Premier has forwarded your letter to the Minister of Education, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, and I am pleased to respond on the Minister’s behalf.

As I indicated in my previous letter, the Ministry of Education works hard to improve the learning environment for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), by building capacity in publicly-funded schools to meet their learning needs. All our initiatives supporting students with ASD are developed and implemented in response to recommendations of the Ministers’ Autism Spectrum Disorders Reference Group.

The Ministers’ Autism Spectrum Disorders Reference Group was created by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Children and Youth Services to provide both ministers with advice on effective, evidence-based educational practices to meet the wide range of needs of students with ASD. It included parents, researchers, educators, and autism experts. The reference group identified three areas as priorities for action crucial to making a difference to meet the wide range of needs of students with ASD: student learning and assessment; research and knowledge mobilization; and partnerships and shared responsibility. The reference group’s final report, Making a Difference for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Ontario Schools: From Evidence to Action, included 34 recommendations. It was released in 2007 and is posted on the government’s website in English and French. You may access the report at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/07.02/autismFeb07.pdf.

Let me provide you with one example of an initiative supporting students with autism that you may find relevant to the transition of your son, Sebastian, to a school setting. One of recommendations of the Ministers’ Autism Spectrum Disorders Reference Group included: “Key transitions for students with ASD are supported. This would include the provision of:
· Resources such as funding and personnel with expertise to facilitate transitions.
· Protocols that reflect consistent expectations between organizations across the province.
· Processes that involve a multi-disciplinary team for planning, support and information.”

In response to this recommendation, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) are working collaboratively to implement the Connections for Students model. The Connections for Students is a joint strategy to support school-aged children transitioning from intensive behavioural intervention (IBI) therapy services delivered through the Autism Intervention Program (AIP) funded by MCYS to ABA instructional methods in publicly funded schools. The Connections for Students model is centred on multi-disciplinary, student-specific, school-based transition teams that are established approximately six months before a child prepares to transition from the AIP to school. Transition teams develop transition plans tailored to the specific support needs of individual students and provide support for at least six months after a child starts school.

Transition teams include the Principal or designate (Team Lead), parent/guardian, teacher(s), the School Support Program ASD Consultant and a school board person with ABA expertise as required. These teams may be supplemented by other multi-disciplinary expertise based on the child’s needs. Other multi-disciplinary expertise may include: education assistants, special education resource teachers, and other professionals providing service to the child (e.g. mental health service providers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists). Transition teams will draw on the ABA and ASD expertise of both board level staff and ASD Consultants in the School Support Program in the planning and delivery of ABA instructional methods.

After six months, the principal, parent/guardian and teacher will continue to work together to monitor the student’s progress at key transition points in order to provide appropriate supports. The principal must ensure that relevant school board personnel and community personnel who have previously worked and/or are currently working with a student with ASD are invited to provide input.

School boards throughout the province are expected to implement the Connections for Students transition teams no later than spring 2010 for all children transitioning from IBI therapy services provided through the MCYS funded AIP to ABA instructional methods in our publicly funded schools in September 2010 and thereafter.

Sixteen boards received funding to implement the Connections for Students model this year. In collaboration with all nine AIP regional providers the boards are implementing the model for all students transitioning from IBI services delivered by the AIP to ABA instructional methods in school. These boards are working with an evaluator to monitor and share their experience and best practices that support successful outcomes for students with ASD, their families, and for the system. The ministry expects to share their promising practices for the benefit of all school boards as they continue to evolve their supports for students with ASD and build their capacity.

Please be assured that we are committed to improving student achievement for all students, including those with ASD.

Sincerely,

Teckla Bryson for
Barry Finlay
Director
Special Education Policy and Program Branch
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At Queen's Park - day 25

I arrived in front of Queen's Park for the first time without Basia. I came later than usual because I had to have the oil changed in my car -- it was two and a half thousand kilometers past due!

I was sitting on the stone near the yellow hash marks when a white van parked right in front of me. The door slid opened, and all of the sudden I had a lot of faces smiling at me. It was Shelley, with Eliza, and Heather, and Jannelle, my neighbor, and best source of advise in parenting and health issues for years. Jannelle is also a mother of three great boys. The oldest one is on the autistic spectrum.

We sat in the nearest shade under the statue of Sir James Pliny Whitney, the sixth Prime Minister of Ontario. We talked briefly with the NDP Education Critic Rosario Marchese . We made our pictures, and had a wonderful chat, and cold watermelon Jannelle brought.
Thank you girls!

at Queen's Park - day 24

Today was Basia's last day of vacation in Canada. And what a vacation it was! It was the first time she was away from her family for so long. She is a teacher in Poland, and she goes back to work in September. It is hard to explain the bond between us. We grew up two houses apart and shared our teenage years like very like-minded sisters. In spite of living in different countries for 20 years, we had similar experiences, and we can relate well to each other. I miss her already.

At Queen's Park - day 23

23 was a lucky number for us. Our story has been published in Toronto Star. Shorter version in Metro News.

Then two nice guys with equipment -a big camera and microphone showed up. They said they were from the Portuguese news. As they finished the interview with me, Tanny came and they talked to her and taped her speaking Portuguese.




Around noon two figures walked in, a mother and her 19 year old son. She told me she read the story in the paper and came to show me what a 19 year old young man who was severely autistic as a child looks like. We sat by the statue, and she told me her story. I was moved to tears. Her son, a shy young man, was watching us from a distance, and responded to his mother's request to tell us about his work. He followed us as we were walking toward my car. She told me how important sensory integration was in her son's recovery, how after she found little to no support from government programs (20 minutes once a week of therapy for several weeks) she took matters to her own hands and persisted. I was so taken by her story that I forgot to take their picture, but have her phone number. I think one day somebody will write about her struggles and her victory. I would like to read it.

At Queen's Park - day 22

Very hot day again. My friend Simon took Basia to the Royal Ontario Museum. I was trying to work on my laptop. It was not easy in the bright sun. I had a visit from Basia's cousin Krystina who works in near hospital. I could not make her picture because my camera's battery died, but then we had another surprise visit from a Toronto Star journalist and photographer. I had my picture taken, and maybe it will be printed some time very soon. I can only hope that it will help our cause.

At Queen's Park - day 21

Today was another hot day. Even the security guards stayed inside. We arrived in the afternoon, and it was too hot to stay with Sebastian in the sun for too long.







Sebastian's instinct was to lie down on the grass.








I really like taking Sebastian's pictures. On some of them he looks as if he knew all the secrets of the universe, and he is too busy thinking to share them with me.






Looking at the statues and Sebastian's stroller in front of them I can not help thinking to myself that I am looking at Canadian history.

Busy Saturday

Today we will not go to Toronto. I am going to work in the evening, and we have an appointment with the speech therapist at noon. We are going to farmers market now to load up on fresh vegetables.

At Queen's Park - day 20

Today was even hotter than yesterday. The yellow hash-marks where we can walk with our sign were reflecting heat like frying pan. Crowds of tourist were pouring out of busses. I noticed that a lot of women, when having taken picture in front of the building, pose putting one foot in front of the other, sometimes even push one shoulder forward. They are aware of their best angles for photos. So I did the same thing when Basia took my picture today. Is it an improvement?

We had a visit today from Toronto Star. All of the sudden I became nervous and had hard time putting a sensible sentence together. Telling our story from the beginning in a concise and clear way is not easy at all. A lot of things happened. Some of the reality of being a parent of an autistic child in Ontario--like year long waiting lists, for example--while shocking at the beginning, become part of every day reality, and I come think everybody knows about it. But the truth is most of the people do not know. And people need to know.

Today we also witnessed an upgrading of the car fleet used by our Ontario officials. I noticed a man taking off the registration plates from an older van, and putting it on a brand new white SUV-- or maybe it's something that just looks like SUV but is called something else like a "crossover". Only a basic model, the man from the dealership changing the plates told me. I always wonder why people drive in those big cars. It must be giving them sense of safety and power. OK, maybe I should give it a brake. It is not a hybrid, but at least it is not a hummer.

At Queen's Park - day19

Today was hot. The sun was ruling a cloudless sky. We were tired. We even forgot to make a picture in front of the Legislative Building and so we made it in front of my car on our way back. The sun did not stop the colorful crowds of tourists that were pouring from busses all the time.

When we came home Basia, let me sleep while she fed Sebastian, washed the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen--including floors and all. Sebastian woke me up with couple of tantrums - I never know why he cries. Is it because of allergies, stomach aches or something else? I wish he could tell me what bothers him so much.

At Queens Park - day18 Tanny

Parry Sound is about a three hours drive from Hamilton. I do not like driving much but am forced to by circumstances. I am on the highway every day. Basia is going back home next week, so it was now or never situation and off we went. On our way to Parry Sound, Tanny called me to tell me that she will go to protest for me under the Queens Park so we would not miss a day of vigil. I am very emotional lately, and it almost brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Tanny. You are beautiful person.


We arrived more then two hours before the cruise.We had plenty of time for a nice walk under Perry Sound's famous railway bridge, and had something to eat. We boarded the Island Queen boat, which was clean and comfortable, not too crowded and safe for Sebastian. He took very well the three hour cruise. I had just one vigorous reminder that it is time to cut my hair short again. (Sebastian when frustrated and or in pain grabs my hair, and because he is very strong, I literally can not get him out of it .)


Basia was taken by the breathtaking views, and we "window shopped" for the best cottage we would like to stay in on our next trip there. I think half of the passengers were doing the same thing. We go back home tired but happy.



Sebastian did not go to bed easily in spite of very eventful day. He fell asleep, with difficulty, after 11pm and was up around three or even earlier. He did fell asleep around 5am though, and I had to peal him from the bed in the morning when it was time to go to school. I am tired today, and dream about catching up on sleep.

At Queens Park - day17

Tuesday was the 17th day of our protest at the Queens Park. I was sitting in the shade and trying to redesign my handouts, while Basia was walking with the sign and the big golf umbrella form Tanny. Basia has a sun allergy, so she has to wear a long sleeve shirt, and the giant umbrella helps too. She was drawing a lot of attention, and tourists were asking to have picture taken with her.

When we had a visit from representative of NDP. She was nice, and asked a lot of questions. After she left we had the biggest surprise: Shelley and Heather with Paula and Jacob came to see us. They arrived in a white van. We talked, laughed, went for lunch to the cafeteria. It was the greatest feeling for me. I almost cried. Both Paula and Shelley are mothers with more than one child on the autistic spectrum, and they also cope with other health problems. They are very busy moms. And they found the time and energy to come to support us.
Thank you Shelley and Paula, you are the most amazing super moms!

Today we take a brake and head to Parry Sound show Basia more of the beauty of Ontario landscapes.

At Queens Park - day16

Monday. A lot of tourists. Guides are asking about our story because tourists want to know what our sign means.
We are tired and sleepy after last night, and have to rebook Basia air ticket. She is going back home soon, and I do not want to think how it will feel to do it all all by myself again. I am grateful for her help and support. We will have to take a day off this week to show her a bit more of Canada's landscapes.

Day of rest.

Sunday was a day of rest for us. It was raining again. Big storm went through the southern Ontario. Basia went to Polish church, and walked back home. We went for a ride through the country at the evening. It was hot and hudmit - real summer.

Sebastian had a nap at the afternoon and so he did not sleep almost all night. Not the very first time, but it is tiring. I am so happy now that he sleeps most of the nights, but when another sleepless night comes it brings all the memories from the years when he hardly slept at all and cried for hours, and my patience was running low - how did I survive this? I do not remember.

At Queens Park - day15

Saturday was another busy day for me. I was working and I had a meeting before my work, so I did not spend much time under our Legislative Building. But I had good company there. There were people from Pakistan protesting against killing Christians in their country.

At Queens Park - day14

The weather was just great on Friday. the day was quiet. I called the office of Andrea Horwath again, and the office of the Premier again. Again nothing from any political officials.

We had an unusual visit at the park though. We saw, and I have made a picture of a falcon. It was a young bird I think, because it acted a bit clumsy. It stayed behind the war monument for a long time staring at his own reflection in the black granite wall, and then it flew away. Let it be a good omen.

At Queens Park - day13

Thursday was very busy for us. In the morning we dropped in for coffee and paczek to famous Granowska cake store on Roncesvalles. When we came Queens Park there was protest going on by native peoples against bill 191. We They had a drum, and they were singing, and it was very moving for me. They treated us with some fruit, and wanted to know our story.

Before we went to pick up Sebastian, I showed Basia very briefly High Park. It is one of my favourite places in Toronto, and we did not have enough time to sit and enjoy it even for few minutes, but at least we saw it.

After we picked up Sebastian we went to buy some organic chicken and eggs to Fenwood Farms.


On our way home we dropped in to say halo to my friend Grant, he showed Basia his paintings. We came home, around seven, and had just enough time to feed Sebastian and put some fresh chicken to a pot, but I did not have time to even post something on my blog. So I am writing it now, sitting in the shade of the hedge in front of the Queens Park when Basia is walking around with the sign on.

At Queens Park - day12

Today doubled our numbers. Bariah with her son Khaled joined us. They are delightful couple. Khaled is waiting for therapy funding now impossible 3-4 years while his young parents spend every penny they have and do not have for his therapy privately purchased. Bariah writes beautifully about her experience on her blog Stranded in Motherhood.

At Queens Park - day11

Today Tanny joined us wit her daughter Michaela. They both had their own signs. Queens Park guard are very polite and helpful. We were told today that we can indeed walk with the sign on south of the yellow hash-marks.
It was hot, so we rotated while other one was resting in the shade. Tanny was talking to Spanish tour guide in Portugese. Basia was talking to Polish tour group. German bus tour surrounded her and they were very interested in what she was doing. She was also talking to according to her words tall good looking man in the suit who was asking her a lot of questions. I wander who that was. I wish they would call me from under the tree, but they did not. That is too bad but tomorrow is another day.

At Niagara Falls

I was thinking that Monday, last day of Caribana long weekend was not very good choice to go to Niagara Falls because of crowds and traffic. I was wrong.

Basia has not seen the falls yet. I thought I need to go to protest again. Then I had a rare strike of genius: lets go to Niagara with Sebastian wearing our "tooautistc.com" sign and shirts. Two birds, one stone.

We had a great day. We stumbled upon free parking for disabled close to the falls, nice people from Alabama fixed our stroller wheel. Hundreds of people saw the sign, we has met and talk to about a dozen of them.

We were asked lots of questions, we got encouragement, hugs, and gifts...

Sebastian was on his best behaviour again. And Basia was happy to see the famous falls.

We want to come back to go on the ride on "Maiden of the Mist"