In So Many Words

As I sometimes do on Sundays, I would like to share a few links that I have run across recently which may provide some benefit to others (perhaps informational, thought-provoking or just plain fun).

Oh, you want to know who won the giveaway? All in good time, my friends, all in good time.

Okay, okay, I’ll wait here while you scroll down and see if it was you. Just make sure you scroll back up because there’s some really good stuff here in these links that you won’t want to miss.

The Links

Informational:
Walking the Autism Road with Someone You Love by Christine Hoover – a short article with highly practical suggestions for anyone who wants to be a friend to a family dealing with a diagnosis of autism or another disability. This was helpful to me to more easily articulate an answer to friends who ask me how they can help.

Preventing Meltdowns: Outsmarting the Explosive Behavior of Individuals with Asperger Syndrome by Judy Endow – very nice discussion of both the stages of explosive behavior and several solid strategies for preventing meltdowns before they start

Thought-Provoking:
Vaccines: Are you REALLY “Green”? at 1-2-3 Autism Free – interesting post about how many people who are concerned with going green and/or organic also choose to vaccinate their children, given the ingredients in said vaccines. I have to admit I’m on the other side of the problem, easily choosing not to vaccinate but having a harder time being truly green and organic in my household products and practices.

And, Finally, Just Plain Fun…
Top 10 Hazards of Being a Mom Blogger by Ellen at Love That Max – Number 1 is “Being called a ‘Mom Blogger.’” Enough said – now go and read the rest!

The Giveaway Winner

As promised on my Cowboy & Wills review, I am also announcing the winner of the free copy of the book. I listed out and numbered all of the entries from the top down, with Mrskroberts being number 1 and Shenkfam being number 13. I then ran a random number generator at Random.org, and this is the result:

The winner is number 2, Elizabeth Channel. Congratulations, Elizabeth! I’ve sent you an email asking for your mailing address, and the book will be sent directly from the publisher once I have that information.

And thank you again to Monica Holloway for sharing her son’s story with us!

Thanks to everyone who entered my book giveaway over the last week!

And now, the winners (chosen randomly):

The copy of Rex: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and the Music that Transformed Their Lives is going to Meg from The Pages of Our Crazy Life.

Meg said, “I know I’m a complete sap, but I love the Chicken Soup… books. The one about Special Needs had me crying and cheering and hoping. Of course, I’ve read dozens of autism specific books, Temple Grandin’s are so wonderfully full of information and her mother’s book was an awesome look into the families perspective. Novel over, add me to your list!! I have A Friend Like Henry on hold at my library, but haven’t read it yet!”

And the copy of A Friend Like Henry goes to Beth Shepherd, who said, “I would love to win and read this book. The best inspirational book I have ever read was the Bible. Thank you!

I have emailed each of you and will send out your book as soon as I hear back with your mailing address.

Since I asked everyone who entered to tell me one of their favorite inspirational books, I thought it would be nice to list all the recommendations so everyone could see them:

Nanette – Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Amy – Louder Than Words by Jenny McCarthy
Amy @ Hope Is the Word – Gary Thomas’ books
Livin’ – The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Doris – The Boy Who Loved Windows by Patricia Stacey
Laura – The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns
Kristi – Rachel’s Tears by Beth Nimmo, Darrell Scott and Steve Rabey
Beth Shepherd: The Bible
MMW – Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox
Meg – Chicken Soup for the Soul: Special Needs by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara and Karen Simmons
Betty and Boo’s Mommy – The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow
Kim V – Helen Keller’s biography
MJ – The Shack by William P. Young

Thanks again to everyone who entered for your great book suggestions! Stay tuned for more about books, autism, and maybe even another giveaway once in a while.