Jackie Schlegel- Polvado and her family, Jackie and her husband founded Ashlyn's Hope to help other families like theirs who have a child with autism
The thing that awes me about parents whose children face challenges is how determined they are to help others whose children face challenges, too. When Keller?s Jackie Schlegel-Polvado learned her daughter, Ashlyn, had autism, she created?Ashlyn?s Hope, which creates meaningful programming designed to build and strengthen families that have a child with autism through core beliefs of Hope, Healing, Respite and Recovery.
You'll paint and take home this picture of a blooming tree at the Ashlyn's Hope fundraiser
Jackie is holding a fundraiser for Ashlyn?s Hope at Texas U Can Paint?in Southlake,?where participants can paint a blooming tree, perfect for spring and for the hope that this season evokes, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. You?ll get stroke-by-stroke instructions on how to create the night?s featured painting under the guidance of local artists, with snacks, wine and other refreshments while you work and make friends. If you can?t participate, Jackie welcomes donations or the purchase of a ticket for a parent of a child with autism who might not be able to afford the $40 cost. Just go to the sign-up page at Texas U Can Paint for details.
Here?s a Q and A I did with Jackie about Ashlyn?s Hope.
Q: Why and when did you start Ashlyn?s Hope?
5 years ago my husband and I started a Printed Resource guide called Connections Kids:The Special Needs Directory to connect families of children with ALL special needs to local resources. And we have loved every minute of it, but I always knew I would do something more specific to autism that addresses the needs of our families. Over a 2-year course of homeschooling Ashlyn, my vision and dream of non-profit that would build a one-of-a kind respite ranch for families of child with autism started to emerge. In the spring of 2012 that dream became a reality when I was introduced to a special person named Catherine Butski who shared my vision for this community and for my daughter and it was then we were able to formally begin our work and efforts.
Q: What has your organization done so far?
Over the summer we worked with?10 different families to provide a fun and therapeutic play experience utilizing therapeutic horse riding in a safe, farm-based atmosphere that included siblings and parents! It was a remarkable experience seeing the benefit of a relaxed, inclusive environment, not only for the child with autism, but for the parents and most certainly the siblings. In December I had the joy of working on a Christmas Wish program to provide Christmas Gifts to 15 local autism families in need.
Q: What is the best thing about it?
Hands down the best part is seeing the face of a parent when you tell them there is no such thing as false hope. At the end of the day, sometimes it?s all we have, so we better hold on to it tight. Looking parents in the eyes and believing with them that their child can get better is a profoundly moving experience, some have never heard those words before.
Q: What is the biggest challenge to having a child with autism?
Autism can be challenging all around. Personally, there were years when we did not sleep and I still bear the scars of Ashlyn?s aggression. Several years ago mounting medical bills and loss of income resulted in the foreclosure of our home. But that pales in comparison to the feeling of isolation when you drive by the playground and see all the families enjoying their time together and yet you can?t join them. The feeling of isolation when the birthday invitations stop, or you realize your family didn?t invite you to Christmas is a feeling of isolation that you never forget. Seeing those feelings magnified in your non-affected children is so painful and so damaging to your spirit, it?s hard to put into words.
Q: What would you like other parents who have children with autism to know?
Do NOT be a victim of circumstance. It would be very easy to look at our children and be sad. Sad of what could have been. Each and every one of our children and our families not only has a unique purpose, but has the ability to live an extraordinary life. Don?t get stranded on the side of the road while life passes by. Will it be harder then most? Yes. Will you have more road blocks? Certainly. Will it take more dedication to get where we are going? Without a doubt. But I?m here to tell you, the voice inside your head is your biggest ally or your biggest enemy. Decide what road you are taking today, hop on it and never look back.
Q: What would you like parents who don?t have children with autism to know?
One in every 88 children in the US has autism, and the numbers are increasing by the day. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S., costing the nation over $137 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade. This will certainly be a financial disaster for future generations who will bear the responsibility of caring for this population. It?s not enough to ?be aware?, our families need help. We need local community-based, affordable programming that supports our ENTIRE family, including our non-affected children. Find a local organization or family to get involved with. Be a friend. Everyone can do something, it?s the little things you do that make the biggest difference.
Follow Nancy Churnin on Facebook at?http://www.facebook.com/DallasMoms and on Twitter @nchurnin.
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