Did you know that April is Autism Awareness Month? And did you also know that April 2nd is also World Autism Awareness Day. This was news to me. I knew the month of April was Autism Awareness Day, but I didn't know there was a day set aside for world awareness.
How fitting, then, that I created this page today and found out only AFTER I had created it what today really was.
When I realize what today was, I decided to share this page with you all. I just couldn't keep it to myself, considering what this day stood for. Or even this month, for that matter.
If you've been reading my blog for a good amount of time, you know that my son, Zach, is autistic. You've probably also figured out that one of my passions is Autism Awareness. Every time I look at the numbers, it blows my mind how short the world falls when it comes to truly understanding, or even being aware, of what autism really is. The number that REALLY gets me to scratching my head is the low, LOW amount of funding that goes into research! ONLY .3% of all the funds allocated to research for disorders and diseases goes towards autism. Not even one whole percent! Yet, 70 children in the US are being diagnosed daily!
It was just a year ago yesterday that GinaK Designs released the Love you to Pieces stamp set in honor of my son and to benefit autism research.
This set is near and dear to my heart. It was the set I reached for when I pulled out these pictures of Zach and I. I knew I had to use it on this page.
I started off with a Not Quite Navy cardstock base and stamped one of the puzzle pieces around the cardstock with Versamark ink and then embossed the images with clear embossing powder. I also used the same puzzle piece and stamped the image on a piece of Wild Wasabi patterned paper and embossed it with clear powder. I cut it out and mounted it on my page with pop-dots. You can't see it in the picture above, but I also embossed clear smaller puzzle pieces (from the background stamp in the Love you to Pieces set) along the strip of patterned paper at the bottom of the page. When you look at the page "in person," you can see shiny puzzle pieces along the paper.
I love all kind of fonts and combining different letter embellishments for a fun look, so that's what I did with my title on this page. I covered a chipboard letter (I punched out the inside to use on a different project), I used tile pieces, large letter brads, some mini bottle caps and some pre-decorated chipboard letters. I had used the "W" from this pack of chipboard, so I had to get a little creative to be able to spell the word, "aware." I turned the "M" upside to create a "W." I made my large letter brads match my big green chipboard "M" by punching out some patterned paper circles and securing the brads onto them and mounting them with pop-dots.
A few months ago, I found some really adorable little boy charms at the dollar store. I picked up a couple packs because I wanted to use some on another scrapbook project, but also because I knew that I would definitely find a use for them on other pages and projects.
I used a bunch of mini blue brads around the page to create a cohesive embellishment theme.
The journaling from this page incorporates some staggering autism statistics.
* I in every 150
* 4 out of 5 are boys
* 70 children are diagnosed daily
* Only .3% of funding goes towards research
*These children ARE brilliant
* They DO have a voice
* It's time to listen!
And then I added a special bit of journaling on one of Zach's pictures: HE is brilliant!
So many people don't realize that these kids ARE brilliant. They have bright and sharp minds with so much to share with us if we'd only take the time to understand, listen and try to bridge the gap between their worlds and ours. I can't promise that it's an easy task. Trust me. It's not. I may be the perfect parent for Zach, but I'm not a perfect parent. But believe me when I tell you that it's so worth it to try t mesh those two worlds together.
You never know what you're going to learn.....but you'll learn something. I promise you that.
Happy Creating!
-Stampin' Mama
What a great layout! And an adorable young man too.
I was surprised when they gave some stats about autism on the news last night. I don't remember the exact numbers but it was comparing how many kids were diagnosed with it in the 70's vs today. It was a huge increase.
Jane
Posted by: Jane | April 03, 2008 at 01:24 AM
OH WOW Erika this is just adorable. I always love you family scrapbooking pages and this has just topped the lot! I think this is absolutely brilliant and it should get people aware of your precious son's battle, he is a great kid by looking at your photos :) Well Done!
Posted by: SUE | April 03, 2008 at 02:24 AM
your page is fantastic & your words so loving & heartfelt. I really like the part where you say you are the perfect parent for Zach but not the perfect parent. I do not know you but can tell by your words you have embraced your position & are handling it so well. Love the pic of you together. My friend's grandson is autistic & plan to share your page with her, she will be touched as well.
Posted by: Donna | April 03, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Hi Erika - I check your blog out all the time, not only for the eye candy but for the glimpses into another family dealing with autism. My boys (9 & almost 8) were both dx'ed in 2003, and sometimes it feels like we live on another planet compared to 'typical' families. I love what you do, and how you bring awareness of autism to a wider audience...thanks, from me & on behalf of my Connor & Riley :)
Jessi
Posted by: Jessi Fogan | April 03, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Erika, your page is awesome. I was moved to make a page yesterday, too, when I found out about the World Awareness Day. Though my kids are not diagnosed with Autism, the delays that they have are helped tremendously by the same educators and advocates. And I can't help but be touched by all of the amazing moms like you who offer so much support in the midst of your own challenges and triumphs. Big huge hugs from me :) (elliesmom)
p.s. I wasn't going to post my page, but you inspired me to share, too.
http://scrappilyeveraftergallery.blogspot.com/2008/04/honoring-yesterday.html
Posted by: Jennie T. | April 03, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Lovely Erika!
Posted by: Patty W | April 03, 2008 at 09:31 AM
This is a fabulous page. There is so much on it. Wonderful pictures and great information and yet it is so well put together that there is no sense of it being cluttered or over busy. Great job and what a wonderful son you have!
Posted by: suzanne | April 03, 2008 at 09:46 AM
As usual, your scrapbook pages blow me away. I had no idea there was a single day set aside, sad I missed it this year.
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Posted by: Elizebeth | April 04, 2008 at 12:02 AM
What a beautiful lo Erika. That is one thing that I love about your lo's. Your lo's don't only preserve the memories, but they serve to teach each one of us about a very special part of your life. Thank you for that.
Posted by: Kristin in OH | April 04, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Erika.. This page really touches the Heart!
The photo's and the layout are remarkable...
I can see and read the "LOVE"
The colors and embellishments are wonderful!
I think that a lot of people are not aware
or do not understand Autisim. They are very
smart children. You are a wonderful Loving Mom!!
Keep fighting for the cause...
God Bless...
Dee
Posted by: Dee | April 04, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Erika, Im so glad to call you Friend. Your soul is something to be admired. Your children are so blessed to have you as thier mother, yet I'm sure you would say you were the fortunate one! Thank you for sharing such personal insite with us and inspiring me with your talents.
Hugs, Lourin
Posted by: Lourin | April 04, 2008 at 02:32 PM
LOVE that page!!! You are so flippin talented, it's ridiculous!
Posted by: Russ Jones | April 04, 2008 at 05:33 PM
What a beautiful and moving page.
Posted by: Michelle | April 04, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Wow Erika!!! What a fabulous layout!! And such an amazing young man!! I love so much how you fight for your kids and awareness!! I didn't know April was Autism Awareness month!! But I sure am glad there are parents like you who are making sure that these children have a voice and can grow up with the world at their fingertips and not miss out on a thing!!! Hugs!!
Posted by: LuvLee | April 05, 2008 at 04:35 AM
Thank you!! Thank you for sharing your layout, thank you for sharing the staggering statistics, and thank you for reminding the stamping community of Gina K's stamp for a cause stamps! My son was recently diagnosed with autism. He is also brilliant and surprises us and his teachers every day at just how smart he really is!
Posted by: Karen | April 07, 2008 at 01:36 AM
What an awesome layout! Thanks for all that you do to make the stamping community aware of these sad but staggering statistics. TFS!
Posted by: doverdi | April 08, 2008 at 06:14 AM
Love that page Erika, as always! And you know of course this is a subject close to my heart!... I think I am intimidated to try and scrapbook Noah but I really want to do it, it will be emotional to do so, but priceless to try and put down on paper what he is to me!♥
I think Worls Autism Awareness Day might be something new because I never heard about it before this year either...
Posted by: Bee | April 08, 2008 at 08:56 PM