My Invisible World Trailer

Let My Yes, Be Yes and My No, Be No

After almost 30 years of parenting an array of complex children who have grown into now adults I learned that Yes, my no must mean no. It has to. A 'no-boundary' must be clear and visible.

Working with tough kids you could spend all day using NO and sorry to say a NO used to often blows through one ear and out the other never stopping to allow a thought.

I have learned that one must use that NO frugally because it is a precious word of great power. For atypical children/adults, especially those with brain injury it sends them to the end of a cliff in a free-fall without answers. The word NO becomes a set up for defensive behaviors.

My friend and I were comparing notes and we have both come to the same conclusion - we use YES most often, whenever we can. So NO sticks when it is needed, and we can be strong enough the stand still without bending.

• How can we do that with tough kids who look like they are defying or challenging us?
• How do we keep control while giving them a path of acceptance?
• How do we use YES, so we create boundaries and don't become a doormat?

When I am asked to do something

• I do not have time to do,
• I don't want to do,
• I don't know how to do.

I use the following statements:

If it is something I also want to do and it is a good idea, I make an appointment

• Yes, we can go to the park tomorrow after you eat your lunch or after your nap. Then I remind them in the morning - Remember after your nap we get to go to the park.Yes, we can deliver those job applications, after you bring them back to me filled out. If you need help filling them out I am available right after dinner.

I provide abilities to accomplish the idea

If it is something I can't do I say so.

• I can't do that because it is (describe behavior - cheating, lying) and I like to look at my face in the morning and say smiling "Good morning, Jodee, this will be another grand and glorious day.)

My moral standards need to stand firm.

If it is something I don't know how to do I say so.

• I don't know how to do that, can you find out how to do that for me or maybe we can find out how to do that.

Together we can make this happen.

Share your ideas so that when a NO has to happen it can stick.

My Invisible World Rocks CNN Atlanta

Morasha Winokur speaks out on CNN. Go girl, you did a GREAT job!!!!

A Kid Who Rocks - Morasha's book is moving FASD mountains!

CMS sixth grader, Morasha Winokur, featured on CNN On-Line’s show, Young People Who Rock!

Join Morasha’s journey as a young author as she publicizes her book, My Invisible World – life with my brother, his disability and service dog. Go to: http://ypwr.blogs.cnn.com to watch her live interview from last Friday. Get a book signed and meet Chancer, an irresistable 90 lb. Golden Retreiver, who is the first certified service dog in the U.S. to help a person living with the “invisible” life-long disability, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Morasha will be at Walden Books in the North Point Mall on Saturday, November 14th at 1:00 pm. We’ll keep you posted about other upcoming events. To find out more about Morasha’s book and Chancer, visit www.thechancerchronicles.com.

The website is now up - take a look around!

Toolbox Parent Radio is making a difference. Thanks Victoria for last night!

Deb Fjeld, Minnesota Parent Advocate and I, Jodee Kulp, recently completed our 8th broadcast of Toolbox Parent Radio on Global Talk Radio. When we were first selected to share our insights into the rough and tumble world of living with intense and atypical children/adults with a variety of diagnosis – we weren’t sure we could do it.

Could we get a large enough audience?
Would people be interested in interviews with us?

We are happy to announce our numbers of listeners are growing each week and we are almost booked for interviews through year end.

So I guess we are doing it!
And…we will keep on keeping on…and on….and on

Last night we chatted with Victoria Deasy who has been a special education teacher for 36 years and is Mom to a young adult with multiple issues. As she said last night,”Nothing prepared her for the real day to day world of parenting a person with fetal alcohol, FASD. She felt so alone.”
Alone is what we want to help. Deb Fjeld and Jodee Kulp, offer our voices and friends in the disABILITY world community to help provision families and professionals to support persons with neuro differences.

Listen to July 21 archive with Victoria Deasy at www.globaltalkradio.com/shows/toolboxparent (main show page) or www.globaltalkradio.com/shows/toolboxparent/program8.php (July 21-Victoria Deasy archive).

Entro Magazine 2009

Entro Magazine 2009
Click the link above to see the WHOLE magazine



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The Million Mind March starts with a single step.

Daring to Live - He Won The Million Minds Race Without Ever Taking A Step

Jim Grimm never joined our Million Mind March, he died yesterday quietly in "his" home. He was 42 and he Dared to Live with Cerebral Palsy that captivated him to rejoice in a life few live so strongly. He never uttered a word, yet he profoundly and joyfully touched the lives of all who came to know him. He was an inspiration to all who met him.

Born with cerebral palsy and unable to communicate verbally or move of his own volition, Jim turned his severely isolating lifelong disability into a gift of connecting deeply with others. The community of Chisago Lakes rallied around the family while Jim was in preschool, little Jim went to school and graduated with his class in 1986. He was a friend to all. Independent and strong spirited, he moved into his "own" home as an adult and was surrounded by care givers who became his "Friends." He climbed the first Liberty Ridge.

His Award Winning "The Heart's Alphabet - Daring to live with Cerebral Palsy." Won National Mom's Choice Gold Award for Adult Memoirs. The Heart's Alphabet is Jim's self-told story, painstakingly spelled out, letter by letter, with the assistance of an interpreter is a tale of personal perseverance, a tribute to loving families, and-most of all-a testament to the possibilities that lie within each of us.

• Jim ran the race of life wearing a wheelchair.
• Jim taught life living independently hurdling barriers other placed before him.
• Jim climbed Liberty Ridge - he scaled the impossible as a man
• Jim spoke letter by letter with his tongue - his words and life live on in his book
• Jim loved life, people, concerts, vacation, travel, sports & his dogs.

His dogs was how I was reunited with Jim last year. Jim was looking for a dog and he knew what "he" wanted. After visits with my large size puppies, he clicked with his tongue "No." For Jim his No has always meant no, and his Yes has moved him forward. He never settled for I Can't. For Jim has always been able to work with his family, love with his family, and do with his family and the community he became a part of - He expressed his needs - as a child and as a wholesome and loving man.

His parents, his sister and brother and the community he embraced can rejoice in a life lived with courage and strength. He won the race, he finished his life and I am sure on both feet this man raced into heaven - his job well done! For Jim death was his first step - and knowing him his body free he can now run and jump at last.

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me.
Your right hand will hold me fast."
Psalm 139:9

His website is http://theheartsalphabet.com/

May his family be blessed in their remembrances.

Million Minds March