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Amy Lindgren Gfesser

Guestbook Wall
ablg67 wrote:
2 years 17 weeks ago

I just filled the majority of my profile, up to why I am hear, my goals etc.. I hit enter (or another key) by accident. Everything was erased. I will try to add to my profile again when I have time.
ablg67 wrote:
2 years 18 weeks ago

Thank you all for the welcomes and comments! I am learning how to use this site. I will try to add more info about myself in my profile!
meandarianna wrote:
2 years 18 weeks ago

I also have a 3 y/o who was considered moderate to severe a year ago. Today my Dylan is talking and doing much better.Love to share stories with you about the road to recovery :)
Rhonda Brunett wrote:
2 years 18 weeks ago

Let me know if I can assist you with anything, by the way your child is adorable(:
wtp wrote:
2 years 18 weeks ago

Dear Amy,

Let me extend to you my personal welcome to our AutismOne Social Network. AutismOne is now the “one-stop-shopping center” for information about autism. We have the annual conference in Chicago, AutismOne radio, the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy and now the AutismOne Social Network (and more to come).
I notice that you’ve not made any entries into your profile. Remember, this is a social network. Part of the function of a social network is to meet and interact with others who have common interests. Of course autism is a common interest. But there is more than that. Individuals like to know about a person before becoming a “friend.” That’s where the profile comes in. So whenever you can find the time, please fill in some of the entries of your profile. To do that just click on “My User Menu” next to the Welcome area on the right. From the resulting menu click on “Edit My Profile” and you will be in business.
Helping you interact with others is one of the many things we can do for you. Now here’s something you can do for us. Log in on a regular basis and read the blogs and articles then write a blog yourself. It can be on any subject of interest to you, preferably with some relevance to autism but not necessarily. It can be short or long, whatever it takes for you to express your thoughts. If you have a question then ask it in a blog--people read then they respond. If you see something with which you agree or disagree then please add a comment with your thoughts. This is an open community designed to help and support. We like to hear all sides.
I am looking forward to reading your opinions in future blogs and/or articles.

With my best regards
Will Price, CFO
AutismOne
Rhonda Brunett wrote:
2 years 19 weeks ago

Dear Amy,

I wanted to welcome you to the Autism One.
By becoming an active participant you can support and inspire others. Your sharing experience can lift other parents to help them move forward on this path. Autism can be challenging and puzzling. You can make a difference; together we can effectively resolve issues in a collaborative manner by addressing questions and providing feedback.
My son Jordan has made remarkable progress so please don’t ever give up hope!
Feel free to share your thoughts, stories and wisdom for we are all in this together.
To quote, Brandi Snyder: “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
Should you need any further assistance or information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
rbrunett@autismone.org

Sincerely,
Rhonda Brunett
Autism One International Inc. Chicago Liaison

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Member Since January 10, 2010

About Me

Name
Amy
Location
Chicago, IL
About Me
Relationship Status: 
Married
Here For: 
Friends
Orientation: 
Straight
Hometown: 
Madison, WI
Religion: 
Non-denominational Christian
Zodiac Sign: 
Capricorn, but a Chinese co-worker of mine said I may be a Pisces.
Smoke/Drink: 
Drink Only
Children: 
Christopher
Education: 
BA-Psychology, MS-Occupational Therapy
School: 
Wheaton College, Wash U School of Medicine in St. Louis
Occupation: 
SAHM currently
A Little About Me: 

I am taking time off from work to help my son recover from autism. I grew up in Madison, WI and currently live in the Chicago suburbs. I have been married for 10 years. I used to love to run (have injuries now), and was a Division III NCAA All-American in Cross Country (1988). I still love taking walks and being outside, especially when it is warm out.

I love being an OT. All of my experience has been with adults. I love working with neurological conditions such as stroke or head injury as well as anything involved with functional cognition.

Why I am a Part of the AutismOne Community: 

My son was diagnosed with moderate level autism on May 29th, 2009. (He was born in August 2006.) I believe my son's condition is medical, not psychosocial (as NBCOT would categorize it). disorders.

I am very interested in pre-conception, prenatal, and birth "triggers" that may cause autism b/c my son has only received the RhoGAM shot in utero and a vitamin K shot at birth. My husband and I are both Rh-, but I listened to my OB and medwife instead of following logic when I got the RhoGAM shot. If I could do it over again, I would have had a home birth or a water birth at an alternative birthing center.

What I am Here For: 
Connecting with other parents. Giving and receiving support. Learning, learning, and more learning!
Autism Help / Accomplishments: 

Occupational therapy (fine motor skills and sensory integration; in school and OP-DIR approach for OP), SLP (both in preschool/kindergarten and DIR OP) biomedical treatments (D3, MB12 shots(!), DMG, 5-MTHF, strong probiotics, taurine, B vitamins), homeopathy and Chinese medicine (allergy elimination), GFCF and soy free diet, Elecare medical formula due to malabsorption issues.

My Daily Motivations: 

I believe in a God who is in this fight with me to recover my son. I am inspired by the other moms/parents who have gone ahead of me with many different types of treatment with their children who have been diagnosed with autism.

Goals: 
To recover my son from autism. To have a strong, healthy, marriage to my current husband. To have a strong and loving family. To help others who are on this journey. To rid our country of a "one size fits all" vaccine schedule (unless vaccines are made safer for all individuals).
Help Needed: 
Info on the effects of Rhogam, Pitocin, and other pre-natal and peri-natal procedures that can "trigger" autism. Finding out the etiology of cerebral folate antibodies.
Help to Give: 

Biomedical, how to start a support group in your area, GI issues, CF antibodies, metabolic disorders.

Activities: 
Mostly autism related issues. Walking. Spending time with friends and family, and friends who are like family, ancestry.com (genealogy), simple gardening and yardwork.
Hobbies: 
Being outside, traveling, going out to eat with just my hubby, watching rental movies, shopping by myself or at outlet malls with my husband.
Books / Magazines: 
People Magazine, medical articles/studies that can be found by searching on Google Scholar (medline, medical and professional journals), Healing the New Childhood Epidemics by Kenneth Bock MD. Daniel Isn't Talking (fiction), The Courage to Heal, The Path of Waiting (Henri Nouwin).
Quotes: 
"You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me." Psalm 139:13-14 (This verse is for myself as a baby/child and for my son as a baby/child.)
Music: 
Christian and piano music. Baby Einstein :).
TV Shows: 
Survivor, House Hunters.
Movies: 
A Room With a View, Lady Jane, Marley and Me, My Dog Skip, Temple Grandin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Blades of Glory, Mr. Mom, Vitus (foreign), The Tunnel (Der Tunnel, foreign).
Inspirational Spots: 
Messages at my church. Anyone who has overcome great adversity.
Personal Heroes: 
Anyone who has "stayed on course" (not wavered) in order to overcome obstacles in their lives. Survivors of childhood abuse of any kind.