Tim Mueller accepts Naturally Autistic mentorship award.

Vancouver, BC

KindTree - Autism Rocks Sec/treas Tim Mueller was honored with the first Inaugural International Naturally Autistic People Award for Mentorship in Vancouver BC on October 30, 2010. The Naturally Autistic® People Awards have been created to honor the accomplishments of autistic individuals, their supporters and organizations that support autistic people. This inaugural event showcased entries from three countries – Canada, U.S. and Australia.

The Mentorship Award goes to "an individual who has been providing mentorship to an autistic individual or group of individuals for more than three years. This individual demonstrates success through support, inclusion and integration of autistic people into local community and society at large. This individual must demonstrate success through practical outcomes such as the development and success of the autistic individual or group of individuals being mentored."

Tim attended the event with his wife and KindTree "Thanks to You" award winner, Nel Applegate. The event began with a "meet'n'greet" at the UBC Center in Vancouver, where people from southern California, British Columbia, Oregon and Australia got acquainted and enjoyed each other's accents. This was followed by the main event.

Hosted by Johanna Ward, a Vancouver TV personality, the afternoon was celebratory and felt of community. Awards went to Athena Maria Illious, a child artist in  New York; Donna Williams for her international advocacy; Joel Anderson from California for his advocacy; Scott Seigal, rock'n'roll singer in "Arrest My Sister", from California; Nicole Nicholson for her poetry; Matthew Brooker of Crossroads Arts in Australia; and more.

Performances, both live and on screen, included poetry reading, singing of the Canadian national anthem by a sweet youngster, a rock video, an animation project, a special performance of "It Will All Work Out" by Canadian singer Janet Panic, and statements from absent winners. It was a time of solidarity and acceptance.

Tim was struck with the similarity of mission and celebration that exisited among everyone there. "Focus on the ability, not the disability. Just like KindTree's events, the programs and successes represented here demonstrate the strength and power of people on the spectrum. It feels great to be a part of this movement."

Congratulations, Tim!

A few photos from the event are here and a slide show here and a NEW video of the acceptance speech.

Here is more information from ANCA:

Changing Perceptions  Not Handicapped for Life

 

 

NATURALLY AUTISTIC ANCA celebrates 15 years of service to the autistic community, their families and professionals in the field by hosting the 2010 Inaugural International Naturally Autistic People Awards on Saturday, October 30th, 2010, from 1-5 pm, at UBC Robson Square Theatre, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

 

Corporate sponsors include the Wedgewood Boutique Hotel in Vancouver and Shaw Cable. The event will be opened by Lauren S. Henry (www.brushoflove.com) from Los Angeles, California, whose work has been featured on HGTVs Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ABCs Kids Space. Janet Panic, a rising Canadian superstar in the music industry, will be our guest musician. And Johanna Ward, from Shaw Cable's "The Express" will be the MC. Award recipients from Canada, the United States and Australia will be available for interview from 1-2 pm. Meet local and international autistic people  hear their stories  see their successes.

 

Autistic people have gifts, talents and abilities as do many members of society. A diagnosis of autism, is not the end of a parents dreams for their child, says ANCA Consulting, Inc. President, Leonora Gregory-Collura. We are thrilled at the breadth of talent from around the world that came to light earlier this year when we set out a call for nominees.

 

The full program for the Awards event can be found here: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/34838/73200/07b/index.html

 

 

Also at the event ANCAs premiere issue of NATURALLY AUTISTIC Magazine will be available for the first time. NATURALLY AUTISTIC Magazine: Sharing the strength and talent of the Global Autistic Community.

 

To subscribe at the special introductory rate, go to:

http://www.naturallyautistic.com/subscribe/?ref=nf

 

To view a selection of the entries, go to:

http://www.naturallyautistic.com

 

For more information, contact:

Leonora Gregory-Collura

1-604-886-5720

 

Naturally Autistic ANCA - Helping autistic people and their families help themselves. http://www.naturallyautistic.com

 

Leonora & Charlie

 

PO 1658

Gibsons, BC

V0N 1V0

Canada