There is a reason it is called The Pepsi "Challenge."

Image via CrunchBaseFor the third time in 2010 we did not collect enough votes to stay in the running. I will probably run again in March when they start accepting new Grantees. I am collecting resources now to get to the top in April. I will be asking many craft, and quilting sites to offer me their support. I will begin collecting them on my Face book page for the "challenge." It is a difficult challenge to win because it is based "totally" on people voting for me. I never give up, so I'll be in the fight again come March or April. So look for us and go to my page on Facebook to offer your commitment to vote for me. Please share with friends and family because this challenge is not about me it is about the disabled. Visit OUR GRATITUDE regularly to check for updates and our new start date.
I hope all that read this will go to the page join and lend "helping others with no expectation of return," is how life is meant to be lived. I hope to serve the disabled in my community and many others with this program. Please join in and lend me your support by beginning to collect bloggers, friends, and families to vote for us during our next challenge.

HOW ARE YOU AFFECTED BY THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT?

The Mental Health Parity Act
Get the details and find out where you, friends, and family are affected by the passing of this bill.
I was watching Bonnie Hunt today and she had Joe Pantoliano on discussing his battle with mental illness.  He is working on a Documentary about his battle and that of others.  Watch for it, and go now and see how this parity bill will affect you.

PROFANITY IS UNACCEPTABLE IN A CHILD'S VOCABULARY

Great article to help change your children's behavior before it becomes habitual.
“F--- You, Mom!” How to Stop Your Child from Cursing in Your Home"

SUPPORT THE MILITARY FAMILY AUTISM EQUALITY ACT

Autism Society of America President and CEO Lee Grossman joined Congressmen Jim Moran (D-VA) and Jeff Miller (R-FL) last week as they announced new bipartisan legislation that would help military retirees get health care coverage for autism therapy at a Capitol Hill press conference.

“The Autism Society of America strongly supports H.R. 6930, the Military Family Autism Equality Act, which would provide quality care to families that have made tremendous sacrifices for our country,” said Grossman. “It also sets an example for insurance companies in the private sector, an important step toward getting all families and individuals affected by autism the appropriate, medically necessary care they need.”

As you know, ABA therapy has been shown to be effective in treating individuals with autism, and reducing overall lifetime costs. Unfortunately, the military retiree health program does not provide coverage for ABA. This policy leaves approximately 8,800 children with autism of military retirees without access to needed care.

The Military Family Autism Equality Act would correct this problem by allowing military retirees to receive coverage under the Department of Defense’s Extended Care health Option (ECHO). The ECHO benefit provides up to $2,500 per month with a maximum of $30,000 per year for this important therapy.

We need your help to get this important legislation passed. Send a letter to your representative asking him or her to cosponsor H.R. 6930, the Military Family Autism Equality Act.

Sincerely,
The Autism Society of America

NAMI 2008 RESOURCE GUIDE

NAMI UPDATE RECEIVED 09-22-08

Voting is the foundation of democracy. Every vote counts.

In 2000, President George W. Bush won the presidential election by winning in Florida by a margin of only 930 votes out of six million cast in the state. That win made the difference in the Electoral College.

Deadlines for registering to vote are fast approaching. You can register to vote online today through this newsletter. Please be sure to check your state's deadline. Absentee ballots involve different procedures with later deadlines. For separate applications and easy- to-follow procedures on absentee voting, please visit "Go Vote Absentee."

For additional information about deadlines and procedures, NAMI also recommends the League of Women Voters Education Fund's "Vote 411" site.

NAMI has released the responses of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama to a detailed questionnaire about mental health care, along with highlights of the Democratic and Republican platforms.

The positions are offered as part of public education. As a non-profit organization, NAMI does not endorse political candidates, but mental illness does not discriminate between Democrats or Republicans. One out of four Americans is affected by mental illness at some point during their lifetimes.

Be an informed voter! Learn the positions of candidates and parties before you vote.


Help make mental health part of the Election dialog with candidates at the federal, state and local levels. There are many ways to make a difference.

* Learn the issues. Read through NAMI's Policy Action Agenda and pick up useful facts and points to emphasize.

* Ask questions. Attend a candidate forum. Ask candidates one or more open-ended questions related to mental illness.

* Talk with family, friends and others. Educate them. Make sure that they plan to vote on November 4.



Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is observed October 5-11 and coincides with a televised presidential debate on November 7. One way to raise awareness of mental illness for that week is by submitting letters to editors or op-ed commentaries a week or more beforehand to your local newspaper.

A model letter and op-ed are included among MIAW materials. Please adapt them to include a personal story or observation in your own words and submit them to your own local paper-no matter how small.

This year's MIAW theme is "Building Community, Taking Action." In a democracy, elections are one way that we build community. Taking action means speaking out as part of public dialogue-and voting. The outcome of elections will also help determine actions that will be taken long after ballots are cast.

MENIERE'S DISEASE

Recently I found that a friend of mine has a daughter that is suffering from Meneiere's Disease. I was doing some research online and found this printed on Menieres.org I thought maybe someone will find some solace in it. I am looking for forums and support sites that are formed around Meneiere's. If anyone has any to add for me, please contact me @ acunniff4852@gmail.com or add a comment to this post.
Thank you, and enjoy this post:

MENIERE'S DISEASE

Raymond Hines, the owner of Menieres.org, recently had an article published in the Spring 2008 issue of "Hearing Health" magazine by the Deafness Research Foundation. They asked him to write about how he coped with the vagrancies of Meniere's Disease and it is being reprinted here in the hopes it can also help you or at least give your friends and family what it's like to battle with Meniere's Disease.

Coping with Meniere's Disease
I'll never forget the day my world literally turned upside down, sideways, and then some. It was my first vertigo attack and even to this day -- more than ten years ago -- I can vividly remember being thrown into an emotional and physical tornado. I remember the violent spinning as if on a carnival ride gone awry in the worst way possible, the seemingly endless vomiting, and my bewildered mind crying for the spinning to please just stop.
Eight hours later the world finally came to a still and I was able to get back on my wobbly feet. At the time, I shrugged this off to a very bad case of food poisoning, not knowing back then that this was just the beginning of a lifelong struggle with Meniere's Disease. Over the next few years I would be plagued with the Pandora's box of aliments that came with it - violent vertigo attacks, further loss of hearing and balance, loud ringing in the ears, heavy brain fog, and the ensuing emotional trauma resulting from dealing with it.
Dealing with the physical part of Meniere's Disease is bad enough, but dealing with it emotionally can be even harder. Imagine the impending fear and anxiety that pours in when you feel an imminent vertigo attack coming - for many, panic attacks kick in at the same time, further worsening the situation. Imagine lying in bed riding out a battle royale going on in your ears and balance system. You're totally helpless and just trying to hang on for dear life, hoping against all odds that it'd be a mercifully short ride.

Then there's the damaging long-term effects of having to deal with Meniere's Disease that inexorably changes your life. There's the fear of going out into public places, even grocery stores whose floor patterns and row after row of aisles can make one feel woozy due to being overloaded with visual stimulus. There's the need to alter your lifestyle where you can't do the things you used to love and have taken for granted, such as riding roller coasters or even flying on planes for some. Plus, your own mind starts to question a lot of things that come with any life changing event - agony, sorrow, anger, despair, "why me?", and wondering how to deal with this the rest of your life.
It truly does seem like it's the end of the world for many of us that have to deal with Meniere's Disease and it is perfectly understandable given all the horrors that come with it.
Yet, the good news is there's thousands of us out there that have learned to deal with it and even live with it somehow. Although Meniere's Disease is considered incurable, there's lots of ways you can try to manage it the best you can. The key is to keep trying to find that right combination of factors that can help you, be it certain medications, or specific lifestyle changes such as reducing the amount of sodium intake, or even just getting in better shape health wise by exercising more. Due to the idiopathic nature of the disease, many different things work for many different folks, so it's important to explore every option available by doing your research and discussing it with your doctor.

It's also very important to come to terms with your disease emotionally and mentally. Do not let it control your life! At times you can feel all alone in the world with it, so it's essential that you find a support group that can include your friends and family to help you cope with Meniere's Disease. There's also plenty of places on the internet to find a group that suits you and provides you with the support you need. There's no greater feeling than finding a like group of fellow sufferers who understand exactly what you are going through that embrace you, give you a virtual hug, and then share their ways of coping with a chronic illness.
Above all, a positive attitude can go a long way, especially once you're past the "why me" stage. Knowing that you're not going to let this thing beat you and that you're still going to try to live your life to the fullest can be an enormous mental boost in coping with Meniere's Disease.
I'm a good example of a success story when it comes to living and coping with Meniere's Disease. Early on, it was a big struggle trying to learn how to deal with it mentally and physically. I was mired in a period of mourning and self-pity and I was letting the disease dictate my life. I even almost lost my own business due to an inability to run it. Fortunately, I decided to plow forward with my life and take it back. My doctor and I researched and found the best ways to control my symptoms, I changed my attitude to one of "I cannot" to "Do the best I can", and as with my profound hearing loss since birth, treated Meniere's Disease as just another obstacle to work around. As a result, my life is as normal as it can be, my business as flourished, and more importantly, I live a happy and fulfilling life.
You can do it too! Stay positive, surround yourself with a good support group of friends and family (including on the internet), and don't ever give up - you are not alone. Just remember that the down moments you'll encounter with Meniere's Disease are just speed bumps in the road of your life.

HEALING WITH EFT

NAMI ASKS: TAKE A MENTAL ILLNESS SURVEY

NAMI is conducting a survey of individuals living with serious mental illnesses and their family members.
Help NAMI understand the real world experiences of individuals who need public mental health services.

Take Our SurveyNAMI is working with TeleSage to conduct an online survey to learn about how well states are providing publicly funded mental health services.

The survey:

* is available online through September 30, 2008;
* takes only about 10-15 minutes to complete;
* is completely anonymous (NAMI will have no way of identifying you or your family member);
* was created in partnership with TeleSage, a leading independent survey technology company.

The results of the survey will be summarized and incorporated into the NAMI report, Grading the States 2009, which will be released in early 2009.

To participate in this survey, you must be 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or have a family member who has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness (for example, schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)

Click here for more information and to begin the survey.

Know someone who might be interested in participating?
Please forward him/her this email and help us distribute this survey far and wide.

WALK NOW FOR AUTISM IN GREATER BOSTON

Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism
Sunday, October 19th, 2008
Suffolk Downs Race Track
Route 1A - East Boston
If you haven't already registered, please visit


A Fantastic Kick-Off

Thank you to all who attended the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off event at Cafe' Escadrille on August 7th. It was a phenomenal and truly inspiring evening. Special thanks go to our wonderful speakers: Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks; Congressman John Tierney, 6th District, Massachusetts; Dr. Timothy Buie, a pediatric gastroenterologist with the LADDERS Program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and Jessica Wilson who is a mother, fundraiser and autism advocate. You can watch a video of Jessica's incredibly inspiring speech by clicking the link: HERE



Participant Information and Tools

If you have already registered for the Walk and have not yet received your Walker Welcome Packet, please visit HERE and click on the Fundraising Tools button. There you will find donation forms, participant and team captain guides, fundraising tips and more.

Have Fun with Your Fundraising - Raise $500 in just 5 days
Day 1:
Ask four family members to sponsor you with $25. Remind your brother of the time he drove your car and didn't fill up the gas tank.

Ask five friends to contribute $20 each. Promise never to drink red wine in their living room with new carpet again. Ever.

Day 2:
Ask five neighbors to contribute $10 each. Return the snow blower and tree trimmer you borrowed last year.

Day 3:
Ask five co-workers to contribute $10 each. If they refuse, jam the photocopier and volunteer to fix it… for a small fee.

Ask your boss for a $50 company contribution. (Or better yet, find out if your company will match what you raise!) Do nothing that will get you fired.

Day 4:
Ask five people from your hobby group or organization to pledge $10 each. You must be a part of this club/organization more than a week before asking for money. No hit and runs.

Day 5:
Ask four businesses that you frequent for a $25 donation each. Ask after your haircut, not before.

Congratulation to the TOP teams that have already raised $10,000 or more.

Teamsters Local 25 - captain Trish DiSilva
Katherine's Team - captain William Sansone
Courtney's Crew - captain Courtney Fredericks

Each of these team captains will receive 2 tickets to the game on the Red Sox Autism Awareness Day on September 9th AND participation in our on-field opening ceremony.

YOUR team can still win - We will select 2 more team captains to win the opportunity above. Just bring your team's fundraising total up to $10,000 or more by Friday, August 29th! The next TOP two team captains for the Greater Boston Walk will win. Check the Walk website to see who is in the lead:

We are proud to announce that Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) has partnered with Autism Speaks as a $50,000 Corporate Visionary Sponsor.
Visit DCU

Special offers below... please read on and please pass this e-mail along to your contacts / address book.

Raise your Fork to Help Families Affected by Autism

Uno Chicago Grill wants to curb your hunger and help Autism Speaks™ as they raise money August 30 - September 1. This Labor Day weekend, you are invited to dine in or out all day long at your area Uno Chicago Grill and have 20% of each bill (excluding tax and tip) donated to the Greater Boston Walk.

It’s simple, just print out the Uno Dough Rai$er™ voucher which can be found here: http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/8103_AUTISM_ticket.pdf
and turn it in at the end of your meal.

Help spread the word - please pass this coupon along to friends and family by email. They can participate outside of Massachusetts as well. Participating markets include; Illinois, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland, and the New York area.

Uno Chicago Grill Named "America's #1 Healthiest Chain Restaurant" by Health Magazine, and one of the ten "Best Family Restaurant Chains" by Parents Magazine. Uno Chicago Grill also offers a Gluten Free menu upon request.

Please click on the link below and print the voucher to take with you when you dine any time over Labor Day weekend. You can make copies and dine as often as you'd like and also share the vouchers with others.

VOUCHER

A complete listing of participating locations can be found HERE.

Another Red Sox Fundraising Incentive

This is a big one... The number one individual fundraiser for the 2008 Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism as of 9:00 am on September 19th (exactly one month before the Walk) will get to throw out the first pitch at the Monday, September 22nd Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The winner will receive the first pitch ball engraved with their name, their name on the scoreboard, announcement of their presence on the field and 4 tickets to the game that night.
Community Outreach

Walk brochures, cardboard stand-up holders and colorful posters are now available. Please
e-mail us at greaterboston@autismspeaks.org if you would like any to post in your community. It would be wonderful to have people in all of the Greater Boston areas put Walk posters up in their favorite local spots, town library and public bulletin boards. Ask your dry cleaner, salon, grocery store or doctor's office if you may put up a posters or display some brochures.

Need help with local publicity? The staff and planning committee members for the Walk are happy to help you. Write a letter to your local newspaper with a "Why we walk" personal story. Contact us if you need examples or additional help getting the word out in your community. Call 617-924-1225 or e-mail greaterboston@autismspeaks.org.

PASS PARITY TODAY!

Tell Congress: Pass Parity This Year!

August 7, 2008

Before leaving Washington for the August recess, sponsors of parity legislation reached an agreement on a final bill to require equitable coverage in health plans for mental illness treatment. Now all that is remaining is to find a "budget offset" and resolve how the bill will be sent to the President.

When Congress returns to Washington the week of September 8, there will be only 3 weeks remaining before final adjournment - a critical window to complete long awaited mental illness insurance parity legislation. Congress needs to pass parity before adjourning this year!

Act Now!

1. Tell Congress to pass parity this year! Tell your Senators and Representative to support finishing the job and passing parity legislation. The message from NAMI is simple, "Don't adjourn for the year without passing mental illness insurance parity."

Click here to send an e-mail message to your Senators and House member

2. Reach out to members of Congress while they are home. This week Congress began a month-long summer recess, with members returning to their states and districts to meet with constituents. In addition to calling and writing members of Congress, it is also critical for advocates to reach out and press them at every public appearance during this current "district work period" - at town meetings, campaign rallies, parades, radio call-in programs, county fairs, etc. At these events, remind all members of Congress that:

* Mental illnesses are real,
* Treatment works - if you can get it,
* There is no justification for a health plan to impose limitations or conditions on mental illness treatment that do not apply to all other medical conditions, and
* There is broad agreement on a compromise version of the mental illness insurance parity bill (S 558-HR 1424), now Congress just needs to finish the job and pass the bill so it can be signed in to law this year.
* Do not adjourn for the year without passing mental illness insurance parity

Learn More

Read more about the bipartisan-bicameral agreement on mental illness insurance parity legislation.

NAMI UPDATE: INCREASE FOR VETERANS

House Passes Increases for Veterans Mental Illness Treatment

August 1, 2008

By a vote of 409-4 the House today passed legislation funding the Department of Veterans Affairs for FY 2009. The bill (HR 6599) includes $3.8 billion for mental illness treatment and $584 million for substance abuse treatment in the VA, significant increases over current year funding. Overall, the Veterans Health Administration budget is set at $40.8 billion for FY 2009 -- $1.6 billion more than the President requested and $3.9 billion more than current levels. It is projected that the VA will serve 5.8 million veterans in 2009.

For homeless veterans, HR 6599 allocates $130 million for the homeless grants and per diem program, rejecting a proposal from the Bush Administration to cut the program by $8 million. This allocation also includes $32 million to hire additional personnel as part of the joint HUD-VA "VASH" program for veterans supportive housing. A separate bill funding the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriates an additional $75 million at HUD for rent subsidies, i.e. the housing side of this joint program.

The bill also includes $500 million for medical research at the VA, $38 million more than the President requested and $20 million more than was allocated in FY 2008. A full summary of HR 6599 can be found HERE:

Next Steps for the VA Budget

With House action on the VA spending bill, Congress has now adjourned for its summer recess and will not return to Washington until the week of September 8. In September, these will be efforts to complete action on HR 6599 before FY 2009 begins on October 1. However, the other FY 2009 discretionary spending bills - including those covering mental illness research, services and housing programs are unlikely to be passed before October 1. As a result these other programs are expected to be funded after October 1 at current FY 2008 levels - perhaps through March of 2009.

WHY MOST AMERICANS ARE “UNFAMILIAR” WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA?

In an article written by Heather C. Cobb in The NAMI Advocate Magazine, she quotes NAMI, Executive Director, Mike Fitzpatrick as saying “Americans are not sure what to think about schizophrenia.” The article is titled “Schizophrenia: A Reality Check,” and it reveals some really major statistics showing the gap between “the needs of individuals who live with schizophrenia, the needs of caregivers and public Attitudes.”

The article goes on to state that two million Americans live with this disease, and only one third receive treatment, although there is treatment available. “With medication, symptoms can be controlled successfully and 50 percent improve significantly or recover completely over time.” NAMI Advocate, Cobb, Heather C. p5.

NAMI Medical Director, Ken Duckworth served on the advisory committee for a report about how “public attitudes affect the acceptance of individuals living with the illness in the community and their access to healthcare.” The article goes on to state that the committee found it is addressed as a public health issue and a discrimination issue.

Mike Fitzpatrick states, “We know what to do to increase opportunities for recovery, but it requires public support, which depends on public attitudes.”

It is necessary to support this survey and help to change public attitude, so that more outlets for recovery are made aware of, and more sufferers get the help that is available to them.

You can find the results of the survey at HERE:

THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE:

As an advocate for families of members with disabilities, I received this notice today and it is one that we cannot possibly ignore: Please take action immediately and pass this information on.

Dear Massachusetts Autism Advocate:

With the stamp of his veto this past week, Governor Deval Patrick has once again told low-income children with Autism Spectrum Disorders that they would not be able to receive the intensive home-based services (including ABA and Floor Time) provided under the Autism Waiver program. Governor Patrick cut $1 million in funding from this critical program, even though our children are already underserved by this program! During the initial eleven day enrollment period in November 2007 the families of more than 1,100 Massachusetts children with ASD applied for just 80 slots available under the Waiver. Hundreds of low-income children continue to languish on the waiting list!
It is time speak on behalf of low-income children with ASD living in Massachusetts!

Our state legislature recognized the critical need for funding of this program and budgeted $4 million for Fiscal Year 2009. This would double the number of available slots in the program to 160!!

Governor Patrick needs to be aware that this already underserved population simply cannot afford to be shortchanged again. Every child with autism deserves the opportunity to have appropriate intensive intervention. Their future quality of life depends on it.
How Can YOU Help?

1. Immediately CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND STATE SENATOR at 617-722-2000 and urge them to support an override of Governor Patrick’s veto of $1 million in funding for the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver (Line Item 5920-3010). If you are not sure who your representative and senator are you can find out HERE

2. CALL Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMasi at 617-722-2500 and Senate President Therese Murray at 617-722- 1500 and ask them to support an override of Governor Patrick’s veto of $1 million in funding for the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver (Line Item 5920-3010).

3. Forward this email to everyone you know and ask them to MAKE THE CALL too!!

The override CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED, but we all have to get on the phones to our legislators immediately. Today is the day that you can truly make a difference for a child with ASD.

Thank You,

Judith Ursitti
Massachusetts Chapter Advocacy Chair
Autism Speaks

VICTORY ON MEDICARE!

July 16, 2008

Late yesterday, the House and Senate successfully overrode the President's veto of legislation (HR 6331) making critical reforms and improvements to the Medicare program for beneficiaries living with mental illness. The vote in the House was 383-41 and the vote in the Senate was 70-26.

NAMI is extremely grateful for the efforts of advocates all across the country that e-mailed, wrote and called their Senators and House members. Your advocacy made a tremendous difference! Please take the final step of thanking members of Congress that supported the legislation and voted to override the President's veto.

Act Now!

Click here to thank your Senators and House members who voted in favor of HR 6331, or to express your concerns to those who voted against the measure.

Learn More

View additional information on HR 6331.

AN INTRODUCTION TO ADHD

Have you ever had trouble concentrating, found it hard to sit still, interrupted others during a conversation or acted impulsively without thinking things through? Can you recall times when you daydreamed or had difficulty focusing on the task at hand?
Everyday Health offers a good explanation and a starting point if you notice the signs of ADHD in your child.

New Hampshire Walk Now for Autism

Sunday - October 5, 2008
Greeley Park - Nashua, NH

Kick-off Information
We are pleased to announce that our kick-off this year will again be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH. It will be on Tuesday July 22 from 7:00pm-9:00pm. To RSVP please go to For more information please email newhampshire@autismspeaks.org or call 888-627-6227.

This event will feature New Hampshire native Molly Ola Pinney, founder and director of the Global Autism Project. For more information please click here.

Upcoming Events

Dear Friends and Family,

In support of Autism research, we're hosting a fund raising event in early August. The event, a 3-day Men's Novice Hockey Tournament with a BBQ and Pizza Party, will be held at the Ice Den Arena in Hooksett on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In addition to the Hockey Tournament, we are also conducing an on-line auction (see link below). We invite you to take a look at the items that have been donated in support of our fund raising efforts - there's some really great stuff listed! Our goal is to raise more than $ 20,000 + for this great cause.
If you'd like to help...

* Visit the on-line auction...AND BID!
* PLEASE forward this email with the on-line auction link to your family and friends - the more traffic we get, the more funds we can raise!
* JOIN US on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd for some great hockey and fun for the whole family (visit from the Hooksett Fire Department, Bounce House/Slide for the kids, DJ Music, great food etc.)
* Make an individual donation in whatever amount you would like, checks can be made payable to Autism Speaks NH Division and can be mailed to 30 Gailor Lane, Hooksett NH 03106


Walk Information
Our walk this year will be on Sunday October 5, 2008. Registration will be at 10:00am and the walk at 11am. Our walk will be held again at Greeley Park in Nashua, NH.

To register for the walk please go HERE
Interested in volunteering on walk day? Please email newhampshire@autismspeaks.org for more information.



Team Captain Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure that you have completed all of the steps necessary to have a successful Walk Now for Autism team this year.

* If you haven’t already registered, register as Team Captain online HERE.
* Set a fundraising goal and “people” goal for your team
* Make sure all team members have registered themselves on-line
* Involve your company/employer
* Did you email your co-workers to join the team?
* Did you involve your boss to rally your company team?
* Encourage all team members to be active fundraisers for autism research, awareness and advocacy
* Email or call team members regularly to answer questions and check on their progress
* Create team tee-shirts, buttons or a banner to increase your visibility on Walk day

8 quick, simple Steps to Raising $1,000 before Walk Day...

Step 1 - Start by donating $25 to yourself
Step 2 - Ask four family members for $50 each
Step 3 - Ask ten friends to donate $20 each
Step 4 - Ask five co-workers to donate $20 each
Step 5 - Ask five neighbors to donate $20 each
Step 6 - Ask 10 people from your school, place of worship or gym to donate $20 each
Step 7 - Ask your boss for a $50 company donation
Step 8 - Ask five businesses that you and your family frequent for a donation of $25

Every little bit helps you reach your goal - and adds up quickly!

Donations
Encourage your donors to donate online through your personal page on our website. They don't have to write a check, you don't have to fill out a separate form and it gets credited to you much faster!

If you have donations in form of a check, send them in now. You won't have to bring them on Walk Day - one less thing to worry about as you're headed out the door to join the fun!
Don't forget to send in a completed donation form along with the check (made out to Autism Speaks). It's wise to write your participant ID on all checks as well. This will ensure that you get credit for your hard earned efforts. Please allow 2 weeks for the donation to show up on your personal page.

Mail all donations to:
Autism Speaks
Donations processing
5455 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

And don't forget to check out the exciting walk incentives! How about a DVD player or an iPod?

Thank you again for your support as we Walk Now for Autism! Please do not hesitate to contact the Autism Speaks New England Chapter Office for further information at 888-627-6227 or by email newhampshire@autismspeaks.org. We are here for you!

WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL

DIAGNOSING BIPOLAR DISORDER
Diagnosis
When to Call a Professional
A manic episode is a serious problem requiring immediate treatment. However, a person in a manic episode may not be aware that he or she is sick. Some people with this illness may have to be brought to a hospital, even when they don't want to go. Many patients are grateful later when they learn that they were pushed to get the treatment they needed.

If you observe manic symptoms in a person who is unaware of his or her condition, arrange a consultation with a health care provider. Treatment can prevent symptoms from accelerating, and can improve a person's progress and functioning over time.

A person with known bipolar disorder who exhibits symptoms of worsening depression should promptly contact his or her mental health provider.WHEN TO CALL A PRO

Support The Healthy Transition Act of 2008!

NEW UPDATE FROM NAMI

June 30, 2008

Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Representative Pete Stark (D-CA) hosted a press conference on Wednesday, June 25th to announce the introduction of The Healthy Transition Act of 2008 (H.R.6375/S.3195). This federal legislation is designed to address the challenges faced by young adults with mental illnesses who are transitioning to adulthood by establishing a planning grant program that would allow states to implement effective transition-age mental health services and supports.

Senators Dodd and Smith also announced the release of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report titled Young Adults with Serious Mental Illness: Some States and Federal Agencies are Taking Steps to Address Their Transition Challenges. The report focuses on the tremendous struggles that transition-age young adults with mental illnesses face and several innovative programs that exist in four states to address their unique needs.

Andrew Sperling, NAMI’s Director of Legislative Affairs, moderated the press conference. Amy Lydon O’Connor, a policy assistant with NAMI Connecticut and a transition-age consumer, shared her personal story at the press conference about the challenges she faced in transitioning from youth to adulthood while also managing a mental illness. She was joined by another transition-age consumer and a provider of transition-age services in Philadelphia.

NAMI applauds Senators Dodd and Smith and Representative Stark for their leadership in introducing federal legislation that promises to focus national attention on the need for states to develop effective transition-age services and supports for young adults living with mental illnesses.

Act Now!

Email Congress today and urge your Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor The Healthy Transition Act of 2008 (H.R.6375/S.3195), which will provide state grants for much needed support and services uniquely designed for youth and young adults.

Click here to send an email to Congress!

Learn More

To access the GAO report click here.

To access NAMI’s statement on the GAO report and the federal legislation click here.

MEDICAID REGULATIONS APPROVED!

Victory on Medicaid Regulations!

June 27, 2008

Last night the Senate gave final approval to a supplemental war funding bill that includes moratoria on regulations that would have severely limited the ability of states to fund critical mental health services through the Medicaid program. The bill now moves to the White House where President Bush has pledged to sign it in to law.

Your Voice Made This Victory Possible!

The voice of NAMI advocates all across the country made an enormous difference in building strong bipartisan majorities against these Medicaid regulations, forcing the Bush Administration to back off of previous veto threats. NAMI is extremely grateful to all those who took the time to write and call over the past four months on this important issue.

A Busy Week Leading Up to the July 4th Recess

The Senate's action last night caps a very busy week in Congress on NAMI's federal legislative agenda. The House passed measures to broaden the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to stop abuse of teens in "boot camp" residential programs. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to vote on a measure that would have strengthened Medicare. Congress has now begun its July 4th recess and will not return until July 8. Click on the links below for details on the actions taken by the House and Senate during this very busy week.

Medicaid Regulations Delayed

Senate Falls Short on Medicare Package

House Passes ADA Improvements Act

Congress Begins Work on FY 2009 Spending Bills

House Approves Measure to Stop Abuse in Teen Residential Programs

ACT NOW! SENATE VOTES ON MEDICARE THIS WEEK!

June 26, 2008

By the end of this week, the Senate is expected to vote on a package of reforms to the Medicare program, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (HR 6331). By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 355-59, the House passed this legislation on June 24 - thanks to your advocacy contacting House members. It is now critical for the Senate to pass this legislation -with a veto-proof margin of 67 votes - to send it on to the President.

HR 6331 includes a number of critical provisions for Medicare beneficiaries living with serious mental illness. The bill addresses the discriminatory 50% cost sharing requirement for outpatient mental illness treatment, gradually lowering it to 20% as required for all other medical treatment. The improvements also include reforming the Medicare Part D benefit by restoring Part D coverage for benzodiazepines, and ensuring that prescription drug plans must maintain broad access on their formularies to medications to treat serious mental illness - including antipsychotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Act Now!

Call or email Congress today! Urge your Senators to support HR 6331 - the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. All Senate offices can be reached by calling 202-225-3121.

Click here to send a letter to your Senators

Learn More

View additional background information on HR 6331.

View NAMI's letter of support for HR 6331.