What goes up, Must come down or Does it? Autism Advocacy

We just finished an amazing week of Unity within the Autism Community. Organizations from around the world were united in a quest for finding answers, standing up for our freedoms, sharing ideas, growing in spirit, remembering loved ones, looking to a bright future of Hope. The AutismOne Conference this year will go down in history because of the noise we made. The Tree fell in the forest and nobody in the media wanted to listen... But I am telling you Noise was made.
When we all got home, we hugged our kids and loved ones, took a deep breath, sighed & said it is great to be home. After a while, we checked our facebook pages, email, & favorite blog sites. After catching up a little, I googled AutismOne praying for headlines on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX but there was nothing on the mainstream media channels. Did I get mad, no because I had prepared myself to hear that pin drop. Does that mean the silence is not meaningful? What keeps going through my head is if there was a Tea Party Rally with Thousands upon thousands ( Ok being realistic 100's & 100's) it would be all over the media. So What is my point? The point is this year we will not and can not be denied.
Ed asked us for more than ever this year and man did people step up to the plate. The sponsors, the stakeholders, the service providers, the Professionals, speakers, volunteers, venue, & many that I am forgetting did a stellar job and deserve our thanks. We rode the wave, baby! More was delivered & then some. So most would say that inevitably we get home & crash, But do we have to?
I know that many will have to regroup, I know I have a few blisters that have to heal from standing guard at many rooms, running around with the microphones, sore arm from stopping that silly door from banging in LaSalle A room but I refuse to crash. This year was different. I saw it in the eyes of the presenters, I heard it in the voice of the parents, I felt it in the passion of the advocates, I smelled it in the air of Grant Park, and I even tasted it in the food of the vendors ( GFCF has come a long way ). All our senses and bodies were tested through stress, late nights, and I am not sure what that was on Friday Night... The point is statements were made, lines were drawn and there is much more work to do.
I want everyone to know you have my heartfelt gratitude for the dedication, long hours, commitment, and professionalism of which this years AutismOne Generation Rescue conference portrayed. I honestly have never ever ever been to a better more productive conference in my life. I know I am rambling on a little but the dream vision and mission must not miss a beat in the march to answers for our loved ones. We must lift up those that have fallen, we must put aside any egos bruised, we must keep on keeping on. In this age of media faster than light, we must use their silence to our advantage. Ring the church bells, ask your friends, did you hear about AutismOne the worlds largest gathering of the Autism Community? The seeds of Cognitive dissonance have been planted it is time to water the garden... Our harvest this year from the seeds planted in Chicago will alter the path of humanity... You have witnessed history. God Bless all TannersDad Tim