AASCEND board member Paul Nussbaum — veteran and leader of the AASCEND Conquering Heights trans-Sierra expedition — along with a team of eight assembled by autism sports organization Ascendigo have embarked on a nine-day ski expedition across the frigid winter desolation of Yellowstone National Park. This grueling excursion is by way of preparation for a planned expedition across the Greenland ice cap next year,  highlighting autistic teamwork and abilities. The team is now hauling sledges heavily laden with supplies and gear, as it will be doing in the Arctic. Meanwhile temperatures on the journey are fated to drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, approximating Greenland conditions. Follow their progress courtesy of expedition member and radioman Douglas Paley at this interactive map. (Be sure to zoom in!) Here’s Paul on earlier expeditions:

The AASCEND holiday party was a memorable event, with the Arc of SF providing the lovely setting for an evening of food, games, conviviality — and heartwarming (as well as spectacular) musical performances. AASCEND wishes all a holiday season filled with cheer, and a bright New Year! 

Be sure to mark your calendar with the meeting dates listed to the right in UPCOMING  EVENTS.  Another season of great programs is in the works!

It’s time again for that yearly favorite — the AASCEND Annual Holiday Potluck Party! Come join our community for food, conversation, music and good cheer. There will be Entertainment, Music—with songs by AASCEND stars Stacey, Brian, and Brie — Santa D.J., Games, did we mention food, and a low-sensory space available. It’s a potluck, so bring food to share if you can — but if you can’t, show up anyway!

Be there and in the square!

Many autistic people feel a special affinity for animals. Here’s autistic luminary Temple Grandin in her book, Animals in Translation: “I wasn’t any horse-whispering autistic savant, either. I just loved the horses. … I got through my teenage years thanks to my squeeze machine and my horses. … Animals saved me.”

At AASCEND‘s November 21 meeting we’ll watch clips about the autism-horse connection from the film Horse Boy (based on the New York times best-seller) and we’ll hear from Joell Dunlap, founder of the Square Peg Foundation, which brings autistic children and young adults together with horses. The foundation also employs people on the autism spectrum part-time. Let’s see whether work with horses and other animals might help some autistic adults!

Come with your own animal stories and your curiosity…

Have you ever been scammed? Did you fall for some trick online or elsewhere that ended up costing you money or grief?  At AASCEND‘s October 17 meeting we’ll be talking about ways to recognize trick deals so that you don’t fall for them. Bring your experiences to the meeting and we can all learn from each other. 

Next we’ll talk about “living on a shoestring”, how to eat and keep clothes on your back and a roof over your head for very little money — in one of the most expensive places to live in the US, the San Francisco Bay Area. How do you pay less for food and clothes? Do you have any tricks to keep your costs down? What about sources of financial aid? Most of us have a lot of experience with these problems, so let’s pass our helpful tips on to each other!

Finally we’ll plan for upcoming meetings and our yearly Book Club reading!

Join the festivities at AASCEND‘s annual potluck picnic in the park Saturday September 19. All are welcome for an afternoon of informal socializing and games with our community. This year’s picnic will be held again at Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadow) in Golden Gate Park. We will have food and drink, but bring something to share if you can. No RSVP is necessary. Set-up begins at 11:00 AM.

             

On August 15 AASCEND hosts a panel discussion about the needs of the autism community at the level of local, state and national politics. Panel participants will include Stacy Shaw, chair of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network in Sacramento; Ed Denebeim, board member of the FDR Democratic Club of San Francisco — an organization dedicated to empowering seniors and people with disabilities; and Louise Katz, board member of the Autism Society of San Francisco and an attorney providing legal services for individuals needing regional center eligibility or services. These are some of the questions for the panel — and for you:

• What are the global needs of the autism community?
• What advocacy efforts are already underway?
• What new initiatives need to be started?
• What political and other obstacles are facing autism advocacy?
• How can people get involved and help out?

Come bring your own ideas and join the ferment!

At the July meeting on autism and Social Security Ron Kurlander and Andy Chu of San Francisco’s Positive Resource Center expertly answered a barrage of questions from an audience hungry for information. They invited AASCEND’s particpiants to attend one of their free monthly workshops on Social Security benefits, held at 10 am on the last Friday of each month, at 785 Market St. #10 in San Francsico. The next workshop will be held on July 31. RSVP to (415) 777-0333 to confirm a space in the workshop.

In the works for AASCEND‘s August 15 meeting is a panel and discussion of the needs of the autism community at the level of local, state and national politics. Bring your own ideas and stay tuned for details!

Confused about Social Security and its various programs, requirements and hidden catches? AASCEND has called in the experts! Bring your questions to the pros at the July 18 AASCEND meeting.

Ron Kurlaender is a Senior Staff Attorney at Positive Resource Center, a non-profit organization in San Francisco. Ron has been with Positive Resource Center since April of 2012 where he has focused on Social Security disability advocacy at all levels of representation. Prior to his current position, Mr. Kurlaender represented low-income and disabled individuals in the areas of housing, employment, and immigration law. Currently, he focuses on Social Security advocacy.

Andy Chu is the Managing Legal Director of the Benefits Counseling Program at Positive Resource Center (PRC), and has successfully represented hundreds of clients on their social security disability claims.  He is a regular speaker at various institutions on social security disability issues, including Progress Foundation, SF AIDS Foundation, and UCSF.   In addition to his disability practice, Andy also works on legal issues related to healthcare access. His wish is that all people have free and unencumbered access to economic security and quality healthcare.

When: Sat July 18, 10am – noon
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St.    SF, CA 94103  map   

Parking is available in the garage at 255 12th Street, with a reasonable flat rate for Saturdays. There is also metered street parking for $2/hr.