By Denise Gary
Photographs © Robert Gary
The ability to feel happiness amid the constant adversity of life is what it truly means to be strong. How many of us constantly complain about small problems in our lives? We magnify the tiniest of difficulties, not realizing it is up to each individual to make their life a positive experience or a negative one. On the opposite end of this spectrum are people who face severe challenges on a daily basis, yet do so with courage and integrity. Sure, they may express great frustration at times, but many naturally embrace the concept of making life as good as it can be. I can think of none who better exemplify this ideal than kids bravely struggling with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Having raised a son challenged by Asperger’s Syndrome (an ASD), I can say unequivocally that my life has been enriched by his tenacious determination to overcome the obstacles filling the path of his life journey. Joyful living is indeed a choice!
Kids Need to Read often hosts young volunteers from Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center’s (SARRC) GoodDeedWorks team, a mixture of adolescents with ASDs and peer mentors. I thought I would share pictures from a recent visit demonstrating the joy and kindness of these admirable teens as they shared their time and hard work in service of others. The team beautified the KNTR office by planting flowering shrubs from Harper’s Nursery & Landscape Company on the front patio, and helped stamp books with a Kids Need to Read donation message.
There is a simple joy to be found in discovering a Bobblehead Yoda.
There is a greater joy to be found in discovering the gift of books.
An exciting find on the bookshelf!
Would you like to keep the book?
The answer is made clear.
Joyful thanks!
Ask for a book in the Kids Need to Read office and ye shall receive!
Living joy from Harper’s Nurseries.
The joy of learning new skills.
The joy of wielding a powerful tool. (I had to throw this one in, because really, swinging a pickax elicits magnificent joy!)
The joy of perusing books.
The joy of doing good deeds.
The joy of improvising when a third appendage is necessary.
The joy of team accomplishment!
Kids Need to Read is grateful to Harper’s Nursery & Landscape Company in Mesa, Arizona for their continued, generous support. We thank Erica Skepnek, Halley, Kim, Brian, and the entire GoodDeedWorks team for so kindly assisting Kids Need to Read, as well as SARRC for the important work they do in bringing joyful living to kids living with Autism Spectrum Disorders!
More photographs can be found in the SARRC GoodDeedWorks Volunteer Day Photo Gallery
Related Blog: Looking Beyond the Challenge
Related Blog: SARRC Volunteers “Book Up” New KNTR Office
Related Blog: SARRC Volunteers Beautify KNTR Office with Help from Harper’s Nursery
Statement released by SARRC “in response to numerous questions and concerns raised following the tragedy in Newtown,” Connecticut:
Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the entire Newtown community. Some media and social networks have reported the 20-year old gunman had a diagnosis of Asperger’s, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is no known linkage between ASDs and planned violence. The shooter was undoubtedly deeply troubled well beyond the challenges of his ASD. Misinformation about ASDs can be very damaging and lead to many unintended consequences, including prejudice and intolerance. As the speculation grows over the next few weeks, we need to remain vigilant and correct all inaccuracies being reported. Now is a time for mourning and healing and doing whatever we can collectively and individually to ensure this horrific tragedy never happens again.
