Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Syfy Fans, Star Trek Fans, and Star Wars Fans craving new or 2.0 and 3.0 Editions? Good news. Can you believe I am a Star Trek Fan from the start? Going back to 1966, I was 4 years old but loved to copy my oldest brother. My father him on channel checking duty because back then the remote meant making your kid go through what was on each of the major networks and maybe a UHF if one was lucky. Amazing Star Trek was on NBC where we turned in to the transporter scene. My oldest brother was hooked and so was I. Now, I doubt even today my brother will admit to using his baby sister as a tool to get his father to let us watch Trek but he did. Heck, we did anything to watch it. I am thankful I was Daddy’s girl and the baby which worked. Here is a drawing I did of Spock to go with a poem I wrote celebrating the 50th Anniversary. <<<<<<*****Later I will put in the poem for the curious but back …………..FREE ACCESS to TREK*****>>>>>> Not only have I missed access to a world of free Fan Productions, put-together from games and other + Bonus Syfy Trek on You-Tube that includes some of those listed below; “Starfleet Academy (Movie 1997  — from the game).*** >>Hint here for fans that never played or got to wrapped up in the games or conventions it will be fun to watch then compare “The Undiscovered Country,” or elements to this! YOUTUBE URL LINK https://youtu.be/rFjKV9IcGV8 “Star Trek —  Of Gods and Men,” which for die hard fans icing on the cake includes members of the original Trek like Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koening with direction from Tim Russ. (NOTE this is a complete version the original was made in parts in years 2007 and 2008) YOUTUBE URL LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFqAME7dx58 “Star Trek — Phase Two,” which is about finishing the five year mission of Enterprise in what is referred to as STO (in fan vernacular as Star Trek Original). Some of the original cast members appearing in these film, episodes or vignettes are: Walter Koening (Chekov), George Takei (Sulu), Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand) and more from the Star Trek world. This timeline runs from 2006 to 2015 in films and episodes. Listed below a variety of Youtube links  —  “Star Trek New Voyages Come What May,” https://youtu.be/jUbEzLaDyjM “Star Trek New Voyages,” (all fifteen in chronological order) https://youtu.be/0bLAPvNESBA “Star Trek: Odyssey,” produced 2007. YOUTUBE URL Link -- https://youtu.be/N3ds-nR0SC8 3.0 Odyssey? Apparently so, Star Trek: Odyssey 3.01 'Tossed Upon The Shore, produced in 2011, I think. https://youtu.be/H-WQs-fxqg8 For a more complete list of films check the source I used for these above, that good old net wikipedia under “Star Trek Fan Productions,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_fan_productions. BUT, Starbase Studios, a Trek Fan based organization was in my backyard in Oklahoma City, OK from around 2010 to the end of 2016. Something I missed out on in 1993 during my Honeymoon because my hubby is not a fan and did not want to wait to let me pay to be video tapped in a scene from Star Trek….I actually might have done during this time for free. A fan found where a prop that had been used in an earlier fan film was rescued and then other props collected by a few people in OKC. One of the people had worked at Disney, The Smithsonian and had other industry skills worked to create a set for making films. A warehouse area was found and the use donated to fans for free until Dec. 2016. Then Starbase Studios moved to Arkansas and now is in Atlanta, Georgia. Health conditions have kept me preoccupied since 2008 when I was involved in a mega car wreck where I sustained between five and seven fractures (depends on records) and a mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Along, with the primary injuries from the wreck, I have had to deal with secondary issues from the wreck. Hence, my focus was elsewhere. Boy to miss something so much a part of your life. That is I am a fan but of Star Trek but I guess just not that devoted a fan. I had a few fan mementos and went to couple of conventions here in OKC when they came here. I went to Las Vegas and stayed where there is a mock set up of Starbase 9 too. I am a fan to the point I have Spock ears and a Starfleet Medical Badge. Before I got married I obtained Poison Control Stickers to hand out every year dressed with the ears and my badge at the church Halloween party. Therefore, since I found all of these new fan films and other media productions for free available on youtube; I just had to share it on my writing sites. What about Star Wars? Yes, they made some fan film productions too. Below are a few Youtube URL Links to checkout; “The Grey Jedi: A Star Wars Story,” (Fan Film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyxqkewzCS4&pbjreload=10 “The Last Padawan,” (Short fan film) https://youtu.be/r2XDiVnkC4o You can go to Youtube and find more. My research was much more extensive for Star Trek than Star Wars. Look for free Syfy films. Now what I have gleaned is until just recently there has been a little snipping from Paramount at the fan films for copy write infringement. Until the filming of “Prelude to Axanar,” and the fans coming up with around a million in donations did there become a real court battle. I will leave it to you to read up on the debate and settlement. Paramount has won and laid down more strict guidelines for fan films. However, the people that took over the filming of this movie appear to me to have hijacked the filming of fan films…or some and the sets. Part of the new Axanar Studios is for profit and the side that is the last of the Starbase Studios and money from the movie is filming the last movie. They say it cost a lot more but they built up a name for themselves and a brand. Besides that they brought attention to the fan filming and made it more of a threat so we have less fun as fans. I also think Paramount lost some of their best seeds of creations for movies and series ideas. Face it this tells them exactly what the fans want but on a much bigger scale than they can produce. What started with John Cosentino’s “Paragon’s Paragon,” in the 1960’s and lasted well up until the 50th anniversary, was murdered by Axanar Studios IN MY OPINION!!! Now to those that may be curious about my poem I wrote to honor the 50th anniversary of Trek. Here is the long 66 line poem(for the year it started in 1966). I know many will think that is wrong, it should be fifty lines for fifty years. I can only say it is my creative process and there is no way I can debate your logic. Mr. Spoke might say, “It is futile and a waste of time to do so!” My poem below … STAR TREK 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OR CROSSOVER CANONIZATION IN NORMAL SOCIETY? Star Trek the year is sixty-six. Cadets, stars, hope, peace – Quite a mix! A far off mold is cast. Characters diverge; Color, country and alien, “All together one!!” Gene had a bright dream. Unveil the future holding promise. Uhura, a luscious, confident black woman. Scotty, top fleet engineer, keeps Enterprise booking. Bones’, the Doc, tends to all “Boo-Boo’s.” Sulu, navigator, plotting and planning, does the steering. Nurse Chappell, in the shadows, always seeking Spock. Many things Spock represents, of brain and circuits. Good and Evil? Ying and Yang? Conscious and Subconscious? Constant inner struggle. Example to America of what harm a mental health issue might be. Star Trek was/is innovative, many firsts. Roddenberry’s cryptic language in promoting social awareness. Inspired many next generation scientists. Myself, I picked pharmacy, healthcare and more. Think about the year, 66, first appeared. How many religions find it/this evil? Coincidence or apocalyptic? Cause upheaval? God works or working in mysterious ways? Smart move getting people out of their sleepy daze! Could be only year Star Trek came out. Remember Enterprise’s five year mission? Exploration and “To boldly go where no man has go before?” How about TV’s first interracial kiss? Star Trek has an exceptionally decisive development role in our culture. How many kids were watching the show? In that moment determined to make those gadgets become real? The series created much; With a Scarecrow’s budget. Star Trek is classic ICON. In this fiftieth year of Star Trek, Think back over the images and symbols; Did Star Trek strike any chords? Are you on board? Do the last fifty years make you critical, cynical, or agnostic toward Trek? Is Star Trek diagnostic of our culture’s problems or ability to live in a fantasy world? If put to a vote, positive or negative impact on society, which way would you twirl? Of the cast, who had the most profound influence? Which cast member have I failed to mention? Engineer, Doctor, Navigator or someone else? Clarify this is based on the original cast series. Have to admit Captain Kirk (William Shatner) disgusts me because I fell his actions detract from overall good. Gene Roddenberry, to me, displayed remarkable talent of showing our society’s good 2 be superior and in an entertaining venue. Star Trek's gave us a future with a menu. We can make real choices in society that work with a win-win. Still it was a show, A family could spend time together; Relish the experience just like being at a rodeo. Quality family time with little vulgar language and minimal violence. Parents in my opinion would find few bad parts to screen from their children, an option that was/is viable. I am sure all agree Spock to be, if is, Star Trek’s clear symbol. Coincidence Spock dies on anniversary? See for what it speaks! For all the internal struggles, the journey, Spock has resolution and peace in his humanity; alien or what or not!

Can you believe I am a Star Trek Fan from the start? Going back to 1966, I was 4 years old but loved to copy my oldest brother. My father him on channel checking duty because back then the remote meant making your kid go through what was on each of the major networks and maybe a UHF if one was lucky. 
Amazing Star Trek was on NBC where we turned in to the transporter scene. My oldest brother was hooked and so was I. Now, I doubt even today my brother will admit to using his baby sister as a tool to get his father to let us watch Trek but he did. Heck, we did anything to watch it. I am thankful I was Daddy’s girl and the baby which worked. 
Here is a drawing I did of Spock to go with a poem I wrote celebrating the 50th Anniversary. 
 <<<<<<*****Later I will put in the poem for the curious but back …………..FREE ACCESS to TREK*****>>>>>> 
Not only have I missed access to a world of free Fan Productions, put-together from games and other + Bonus Syfy Trek on You-Tube that includes some of those listed below;
 “Starfleet Academy (Movie 1997  — from the game).*** >>Hint here for fans that never played or got to wrapped up in the games or conventions it will be fun to watch then compare “The Undiscovered Country,” or elements to this! YOUTUBE URL LINK https://youtu.be/rFjKV9IcGV8
“Star Trek —  Of Gods and Men,” which for die hard fans icing on the cake includes members of the original Trek like Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koening with direction from Tim Russ. (NOTE this is a complete version the original was made in parts in years 2007 and 2008) YOUTUBE URL LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFqAME7dx58
“Star Trek — Phase Two,” which is about finishing the five year mission of Enterprise in what is referred to as STO (in fan vernacular as Star Trek Original). Some of the original cast members appearing in these film, episodes or vignettes are: Walter Koening (Chekov), George Takei (Sulu), Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand) and more from the Star Trek world. This timeline runs from 2006 to 2015 in films and episodes. Listed below a variety of Youtube links  —  
“Star Trek New Voyages Come What May,” https://youtu.be/jUbEzLaDyjM
“Star Trek New Voyages,” (all fifteen in chronological order) https://youtu.be/0bLAPvNESBA
“Star Trek: Odyssey,” produced 2007. YOUTUBE URL Link --
https://youtu.be/N3ds-nR0SC8
3.0 Odyssey? Apparently so, Star Trek: Odyssey 3.01 'Tossed Upon The Shore, produced in 2011, I think. https://youtu.be/H-WQs-fxqg8
For a more complete list of films check the source I used for these above, that good old net wikipedia under “Star Trek Fan Productions,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_fan_productions.
 BUT, Starbase Studios, a Trek Fan based organization was in my backyard in Oklahoma City, OK from around 2010 to the end of 2016. Something I missed out on in 1993 during my Honeymoon because my hubby is not a fan and did not want to wait to let me pay to be video tapped in a scene from Star Trek….I actually might have done during this time for free. 
A fan found where a prop that had been used in an earlier fan film was rescued and then other props collected by a few people in OKC. One of the people had worked at Disney, The Smithsonian and had other industry skills worked to create a set for making films. A warehouse area was found and the use donated to fans for free until Dec. 2016. Then Starbase Studios moved to Arkansas and now is in Atlanta, Georgia. 
Health conditions have kept me preoccupied since 2008 when I was involved in a mega car wreck where I sustained between five and seven fractures (depends on records) and a mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Along, with the primary injuries from the wreck, I have had to deal with secondary issues from the wreck. Hence, my focus was elsewhere. 
Boy to miss something so much a part of your life. That is I am a fan but of Star Trek but I guess just not that devoted a fan. I had a few fan mementos and went to couple of conventions here in OKC when they came here. I went to Las Vegas and stayed where there is a mock set up of Starbase 9 too.
I am a fan to the point I have Spock ears and a Starfleet Medical Badge. Before I got married I obtained Poison Control Stickers to hand out every year dressed with the ears and my badge at the church Halloween party. 
Therefore, since I found all of these new fan films and other media productions for free available on youtube; I just had to share it on my writing sites.
What about Star Wars? Yes, they made some fan film productions too. Below are a few Youtube URL Links to checkout;
“The Grey Jedi: A Star Wars Story,” (Fan Film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyxqkewzCS4&pbjreload=10
“The Last Padawan,” (Short fan film) https://youtu.be/r2XDiVnkC4o
You can go to Youtube and find more. My research was much more extensive for Star Trek than Star Wars. Look for free Syfy films.
Now what I have gleaned is until just recently there has been a little snipping from Paramount at the fan films for copy write infringement. Until the filming of “Prelude to Axanar,” and the fans coming up with around a million in donations did there become a real court battle.
I will leave it to you to read up on the debate and settlement. Paramount has won and laid down more strict guidelines for fan films. However, the people that took over the filming of this movie appear to me to have hijacked the filming of fan films…or some and the sets. 
Part of the new Axanar Studios is for profit and the side that is the last of the Starbase Studios and money from the movie is filming the last movie. They say it cost a lot more but they built up a name for themselves and a brand. 
Besides that they brought attention to the fan filming and made it more of a threat so we have less fun as fans. I also think Paramount lost some of their best seeds of creations for movies and series ideas. Face it this tells them exactly what the fans want but on a much bigger scale than they can produce. 
What started with John Cosentino’s “Paragon’s Paragon,” in the 1960’s and lasted well up until the 50th anniversary, was murdered by Axanar Studios IN MY OPINION!!!
Now to those that may be curious about my poem I wrote to honor the 50th anniversary of Trek. Here is the long 66 line poem(for the year it started in 1966). I know many will think that is wrong, it should be fifty lines for fifty years. I can only say it is my creative process and there is no way I can debate your logic. Mr. Spoke might say, “It is futile and a waste of time to do so!” 
My poem below …
STAR TREK 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OR CROSSOVER CANONIZATION IN NORMAL SOCIETY?
Star Trek the year is sixty-six.
Cadets, stars, hope, peace – Quite a mix!
A far off mold is cast.
Characters diverge;
Color, country and alien,
“All together one!!”
Gene had a bright dream.
Unveil the future holding promise.
Uhura, a luscious, confident black woman.
Scotty, top fleet engineer, keeps Enterprise booking.
Bones’, the Doc, tends to all “Boo-Boo’s.” Sulu, navigator, plotting and planning, does the steering.
Nurse Chappell, in the shadows, always seeking Spock.
Many things Spock represents, of brain and circuits.
Good and Evil? Ying and Yang?
Conscious and Subconscious?
Constant inner struggle.
Example to America of what harm a mental health issue might be.
Star Trek was/is innovative, many firsts.
Roddenberry’s cryptic language in promoting social awareness.
Inspired many next generation scientists.
Myself, I picked pharmacy, healthcare and more.
Think about the year, 66, first appeared.
How many religions find it/this evil?
Coincidence or apocalyptic? Cause upheaval?
God works or working in mysterious ways?
Smart move getting people out of their sleepy daze!
Could be only year Star Trek came out.
Remember Enterprise’s five year mission?
Exploration and “To boldly go where no man has go before?”
How about TV’s first interracial kiss?
Star Trek has an exceptionally decisive development role in our culture.
How many kids were watching the show?
In that moment determined to make those gadgets become real?
The series created much;
With a Scarecrow’s budget.
Star Trek is classic ICON.
In this fiftieth year of Star Trek,
Think back over the images and symbols;
Did Star Trek strike any chords?
Are you on board?
Do the last fifty years make you critical, cynical, or agnostic toward Trek?
Is Star Trek diagnostic of our culture’s problems or ability to live in a fantasy world?
If put to a vote, positive or negative impact on society, which way would you twirl?
Of the cast, who had the most profound influence?
Which cast member have I failed to mention?
Engineer, Doctor, Navigator or someone else?
Clarify this is based on the original cast series.
Have to admit Captain Kirk (William Shatner) disgusts me because I fell his actions detract from overall good.
Gene Roddenberry, to me, displayed remarkable talent of showing our society’s good 2 be superior and in an entertaining venue.
Star Trek's gave us a future with a menu.
We can make real choices in society that work with a win-win.
Still it was a show,
A family could spend time together;
Relish the experience just like being at a rodeo.
Quality family time with little vulgar language and minimal violence.
Parents in my opinion would find few bad parts to screen from their children, an option that was/is viable.
I am sure all agree Spock to be, if is, Star Trek’s clear symbol. Coincidence Spock dies on anniversary? See for what it speaks!
For all the internal struggles, the journey, Spock has resolution and peace in his humanity; alien or what or not!

Sunday, December 18, 2016

STAR TREK 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OR CROSSOVER CANONIZATION IN NORMAL SOCIETY

Star Trek the year is sixty-six.
Cadets, stars, hope, peace – Quite a mix!
A far off mold is cast.
Characters diverge;
Color, country and alien,
“All together one!!”
GeAne had a bright dream.
Unveil the future holding promise.
Uhura, a luscious, confident black woman.
Scotty, top fleet engineer, keeps Enterprise booking.
Bones’, the Doc, tends to all “Boo-Boo’s.” Sulu, navigator, plotting and planning, does the steering.
Nurse Chappell, in the shadows, always seeking Spock.
So many things Spock represents of brain and circuits.

Good and Evil? Ying and Yang?Conscious and Subconscious?
Constant inner struggle.
Example to America what harm a mental health issue might be.
Star Trek was/is innovative, many firsts.
Roddenberry’s cryptic language promoting social awareness.
Inspired many to be next generation scientists.
Myself, I picked pharmacy, healthcare and more.
Think about the year, 66, first appeared.
How many religions find it/this evil?
Coincidence or apocalyptic? Cause upheaval?
God works or working in mysterious ways?
Smart move getting people out of their sleepy daze!
Could be only year Star Trek came out.
Remember Enterprise’s five year mission?
Exploration and “To boldly go where no man has go before?”
How about TV’s first interracial kiss?
Star Trek has an exceptionally decisive development role in culture.
How many kids were watching the show?
In that moment determined to make those gadgets become real?
The series created much;
With a Scarecrow’s budget.
Star Trek is classic ICON.
In this fiftieth year, half a decade of Star Trek.
Think back over the images and symbols.
Did Star Trek strike any chords?
Are you on board?
Do the last fifty years make you critical, cynical, or agnostic toward Trek?
Is Star Trek diagnostic of our culture’s problems or ability to live in a fantasy world?
If put to a vote, positive or negative impact on society, which way would you twirl?
Of the cast, who had the most profound influence?
Which cast member have I failed to mention?
Engineer, Doctor, Navigator or someone else?
Clarify this is based on the original cast series.
Have to admit Captain Kirk (William Shatner) disgusts me because I fell his actions detract from overall good.
Gene Roddenberry, to me, displayed remarkable talent of how our society’s good 2 be superior and in an entertaining venue.
Star Trek showed us a future with a menu.
We can make real choices in society that work with a win-win.
Still it was a show,
A family could spend time together;
Relish the experience just like being at a rodeo.
Quality family time with little vulgar language and minimal violence.
Parents in my opinion would find few bad parts to screen from their children, an option that was/is viable.
I am sure all agree Spock to be, if is, Star Trek’s clear symbol.
Coincidence Spock dies on anniversary? See for what it speaks!
For all the internal struggles, the journey, Spock has resolution and peace in his humanity; alien or what or not!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

“Hello, I am a Newby Writer” Made a promise to take writing seriesto see if it is a skill of mine.

Hello,
I am a newly writer.
Credits of writings?
Yes, I have.
Though meager citing’s.
Not even pennies was I paid; so none be saved.
In my heart I feel and know,
God wants me to grow and show,
Others, words I might bestow,
Might lift off their shoulder’s some heavy cargo.
Turned my bottom and ran,
From a talent didn’t think I had.
Guess that is part the plan, writing “Scan yourself, plenty for you can!”
God gave to each his own “doodad’s” whether he be nomad clad in plaid as a Dad with an emotional state of sad or mad.
Running for me,
Solved nothing!
Decided to agree.
Do my best’n development of my writing; by jumping, bumping or buzzing.
Leaning day at a time,
I will climb.
Each step,
At God’s doorstep, or the side door, and with him as my guide, a shlepping, I will go.
Needing to close this poem,
Because since my 2008 wreck,
This journey’s journal b’on and on growing’n’flowing!
Instead of the speck out of my eye, I’ll take the redwood trunk out! Now again I am ready to seek and start my new path with actually joy of my heart beckoning!
If you will please allow me to visit at your next meeting and learn if writing is the skill,
For me of God’s will.
Or, in the next chapter of my life will play a part.
Along with ways of expressions in art I have learned and played with of late, is smart and matches God’s and my heart?
March 9th of 2008 was the Spring day of that year to set the clocks up. I decide to go get breakfast and ended up in our…not so great trauma center. My experience is my opinion but for the sake of brevity and your pity for me; I will venure that my lack of enthusiasm for this hospital is justified based on the number of injuries they missed and messing with my career because I was a good lab rate for a speech therapist student being overseen by a professional with less than six months of experience ut of out of the same graduate school. There will be time to write about that another day.
Writing came about to help with my sanity which was another semi nonexistent problem developed by this trauma center that for me really gave me more problems to undue than the fixed. Saved my life but a few years of undoing the mess they put me was pure Hades.
God carried me through this. Right now he has convicted me..and others around me…used a friend to get both me and hubby back on track. It is weird but so many times I knew I was going to be happy by myself…God fixed everything and life got better.
I knew that somehow I had to share and use all of my skills/education/life learned lessons to do something in a way to service God and it would be something I enjoed. Yes, it would require work; in the end I knew it would be worth it.
Evil devil loves to get us doubting…each time I was close to fingering thinT’s out I started darting out on my own. My friend that intervened bravely in my marriage has also been a rock in spurring me on to slow down but trek on searching for the purpose I know God has in mind.
That is where I have come back to now at this very moment.  Baby steps it is. FEw I admire tell me I have writing skills that ring a resoonace tone with many.  Grammar is something I need to work and work on. Thus, my leap of writing a book has some merit. I was trying to do God’s will but doubt and being overwelmed, I have withdrawn a few times.   Then, health problems and problems arising from the wreck crept back in that I had to face.
In the last year after getting a metal rod out…events have decreased.  I have lost 30+ pounds. I can see the homestretch way off in the distance.  But somehow God has reached out and put his hand on my whole family…my autistic son, my husband and me at the same time. This shouldn’t awe me.  I have witnessed other bigger miracles. I guess it is the peace flowing over me that is enhancing this for me.
Again, this still will require work, work and more by everyone involved. This time the change is that everyone is, seems, really working at chage itself.
Thanks, God, Nita, Susa, Bill, Tanner…the wold.
Pray I continue to explore what you have in mind for me individually, the family and all. Amen.
Oh yes, I can’t forget to be thankful for the lasted family addition. She is like having a baby  but the unconditional love..joy and other she brings is worth it.  Plz see pic of both dogs..one had 6.5 yrs and the other short time over 6 months..she is a year..got from shelter..so I have a middle age child..baby..7 Year old toddler in dog..
And, 20 year old…autistic ..some ways way above mentally..others so pure of heart like an angel …others..much less than is 20 years…
DOESN’T MATTER I LOVE THEM ALL AS THEY ARE….NITA WITH CP
TANNER WITH AUTISM AND OTHER…TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT MYSELF…HAVE ADD
NITA THAT MY HUSBAND IS WORKING ON MARRIAGE AND I WAS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION A LITTLE…BUT WE ARE DONG BETTER WITH JOY BACK N OUR HEARS.
LOTS MORE..
YOU TOO CAN STOP FEELING OVERWHELMED..GET BACK THAT FEELING OF *NSYNC WITH GOD..
NEED TO SHARE..I WILL TRY TO HELP
GOD plz touch those that feel they don’t have the talents to do as you have in store for them..Remind them that with your plan..burnout..hate for a job and other will disapate.
I lift up this people..Jesus name Amen.
God I have gotten away from the joy of Christmas…I will work on that Turnaround ..but..plz help me make my family aware we may pray for the food in a wrote manner.
I feel we never mention Jesus and his importance in our life.  Sharing how he works in our life with family at Christmas at some terminal time in the day or night is pretty high on what the event is all about…not presents…or I have to buy a gift for people cause they need it. I get signigicance of family and friends and sharing at this time. Yet, I feel these same people and tribe of mine should get the talk about you and Jesus too.
Help me put this time of talking back in the Christmas family event.

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Again another Amen

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Sooner Success A Failure?

Sooner Success’(found at this url http://soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu/ ), originally the way I understood the concept, formative innovative concept to help the disability community including the person and family in Oklahoma hung on the personal spin. Oklahoma would place a coordinator in every county.
Another word for this coordinator that sums up my understanding of job is a liaison or go between. When parents were stressed locating the necessary resources for their child or adult child with disabilities getting a hold of the Sooner Success County Coordinator was the end all to problems encountered by families. Whatever the community needed this person could do. Some examples might be help filling out forms, simply giving out information or helping get necessary training in the county. I thought this meant, believe I read this at one time, that the Coordinator would contact other agencies and programs or see what the hold up seemed to be. Also, I thought this meant going with parents if needed.
How many know what the Switcheroo is a con game? Now, I realize verification is best. Heck, if I had known this was coming, I would have taken down the exact specifications listed by Sooner Success. My memory is darn near close to needling past pretty good to excellent on the scales. But because I believe this agency is pulling the old bate and switch with their mission statement I can’t prove this. Sooner Success as an agency is a baby that already learned to downsize their programs to a limited amount learning the term “referral” very fast.
Here below are some other “referral” agencies or groups funded by either the state, federal or both:
Oklahoma Family Network (has been rolled up into this program somehow I think)
Oasis (which has been rolled up into this program somehow I think)
Oklahoma Autism Network
Center For Learning and Leadership
Parent Center
Disability Law Center
Possibly Disability Council?
There are other groups that act as “referral” agencies. Many that refer people provide trainings and a few other services. MY MAIN POINT IS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL SERVICE of being a liaison aiding the disabled community with resources while cutting through red tape disappeared in puff of smoke. I know because when trouble cropped up during an application process my phone call to the coordinator wastes my time during my efforts locating services and resources for my son with autism..
Theoretically, a county coordinator can start a job without a college degree and a salary higher than a teacher. Do any of you own a business? If you use a professional do you always seek out another to check their work? Why as a tax payer, would you want to waste this much money in duplicating services where the end produces little improvement in service to the target client? If duplication, triplification or quadruplication of agencies were cut with the a state question mandating the savings were to spent on services to the target clients in the form of therapy, transportation or things that improved quality of life in carefully worded language; would you vote for this measure? How about the same area serving elderly?
Pretend for a moment your profession is one of investigations. This time the target is School Support Services (found at this url https://www.oumedicine.com/department-of-pediatrics/department-sections/devbehav/child-study-center/programs-and-clinical-services/school-support-services) is another agency or group set up to support those with learning disabilities or developmental delays. My comprehension of this program is funding comes from both federal and state governments and Oklahoma school districts also required to pay to use the services. A number of years have elapsed since dealing with this group. Here is another url http://autismcenterok.org/ to go to if interested; I EMPHASIZE THIS IS A MUST!
Rephrasing of mission statements and websites reworked for optimal eye appeal known as marketing resulting in changes to this area have occurred since my last visit. I recollect words to the effect that a child in need or family without the resources for school support services or early autism treatment would receive treatment regardless of financial status. Agencies or groups wise up. You see I liked what I read on this site about evaluations. Insurance didn’t pay for these things back then and expensive was stamped all over the services.
I inquired of my son’s teacher at the time. Of course his teacher said she was in fear for her job. Requesting services that cost a school district money are doubtfully the way to get on the escalator to a promotion for teachers. My mind went to questioning a few things. You see my resume contains a manifold list of skills, jobs, education and volunteer areas. As a pharmacist, I am familiar with the concept of “capitation.” This process is where an insurance group, usually a health maintenance organization (HMO) pays a provider (doctor or medical group) one fee to cover the medical needs say for instance you own a business and you purchase insurance from this HMO to give medical insurance to your employees. Another form of this business arrangement is if in your business you pay one fee a year to a maintenance provider to keep all your machines like printers and computers working. If your machines never break down it is basically an insurance to keep you up and running. However, if you have multiple breakdowns the cost to you for this expense is the same.
Besides being a pharmacist, I have a Master’s of Science in Management. I taught high school for a little over a year via alternative certification. I went back to pharmacy for less hours, better benefits, needing family time to work with my son age three that had autism because insurance didn’t cover all the therapy needed, and I hate to say this loving most of the children but better working conditions overall. Volunteering expands my skills into a variety of other areas.
The only people that might provide an answer to some of the questions racing through my mind had to be the financial office of the school district. Thus, I called. “Does the district have a contract with School Support Services at OU? Plus, if the district does is it a per use cost agreement or a capitation contract?”
“Yes, our district has a contract with School Support Services that stipulates capitation as the agreement for services. I am sure you understand this but that means we pay one fee for the service and the number of uses is unlimited to be regulated only by making appointments that are reasonable. Office machine repair is commonly entered into in this manner. Did you understand what I said? Can I help you further or do you require more information or assistance?” Asked the lady on the other end of the phone at my son’s school district financial office.
“NO THANK YOU! I do appreciate your time and the information you have given me. I get what you said and need no explanation or further assistance. Again, thank you very much for your help and all the time. You have no idea how grateful I am to get this data. Have a nice day. Bye.” Chirping in a happy mood I hang up the phone.
Next, I call School Support Services. You see after my wreck in 2008 I had time to research and locate more resources for my son with autism. The school district my son went to offered plenty to him and the family for which I was thankful. The special education director advertised on Cox Cable’s Community Channel that was in existence at the time. The library had a weekly comment newsletter with events listed for people to take. One time I sat down to discuss this with him. He told me he advertises the school district’s responsibility to search out children age 3 to 21 with disabilities and provide necessary services for them after an evaluation process to se if they met qualifications for the program.
School Support Services says to contact them or your school district for services. During my call I asked, “Why don’t you list the districts you have a contract with on your website!”
This way parents will know in advance if the district is trying to side step issues with them. After the wreck a number of the programs like this one were about teaching me to write a lengthy IEP (Individual Education Program) detailing and trying to get the schools to pay for as much as possible. To a point I get this. What people do not realize is the schools have limited resources in budgets already. Another big problem is teacher’s are pushed to the max. I think it comes down to a piece of paper that means little if the teacher is trying but cannot execute the IEP or the school district for that matter.
School Support Services asked me how I found out the contract with school district’s based on capitation and much more. I told them it took a little thinking and asking key offices a few questions to get the knowledge I sought. Then I went on to say that I believed some parents gladly would pay or offer donations to supplement the balance I knew the program was leaking. Trust me I knew even with all the support from federal, state and one time fee from the school districts, costs for the program were over the total sum. Yet, as a parent I knew the cost of paying privately for this and seeing it reduced drastically was something I could appreciate. My suggestions for innovations or doing things different fell on deaf ears like every time I offer such a solution.
School Support Services is one example of many groups that like to hold the schools accountable for so many sins. In so many frames of times I have turned the tables to explore how a group can be or should be more responsible to most innocent, needy and helpless segments of our community in their outreach to provide a service to this community to be met with vile distaste for my suggestion in acceptance of any responsibility in this area.
Neither of these agencies or groups is alone in a sea of entities servicing the disabled. Disinformation or being given out right wrong info starting me down a journey on Wrong Street is an event of more than one date. Reaching out for services for my son that would provide basic housing and supports when my husband I die because there is no family or siblings for him to fall upon if he doesn’t reach the potential I think he will concluded in another fiasco of similar outcomes. Once I had my son in this program, which one must gain entrance before the age of twenty-one now due to changes in policy, the service, people and program is excellent for what the budget allows. I tried to call people to tell them but they are tired of what they perceive as anger and rhetoric.
It is late and I am tired but there is more. I will write about these another day. Yet, I have to talk about the good I found too. Martin, then an employee of the Center for Learning and Leadership found a social group, OKAY, for my son that ran by a special lady that retired now. Dee Blose allowed me to volunteer and help a group of young adults that gave me so much more than I gave. Jody Harlan, that works for Oklahoma Department Vocational and Rehabilitation Services, has been available to answer questions and on occasion advocate for me. Joni Bruce, head of Oklahoma Family Network, is owed a few thanks for things she has done helping me with agendas associated with doing right or locating resources for my son’s needs.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

“What are you doing different?” Asks Dr. Sam Tan’s yearly eye exam in 2016?

First let me explain that my son is special.  I mean that in an “AWESTRUCK AND ASTONISHED” manner. Let me exclaim that I am not the only individual to notice this or these features of the characteristics called “Autism,” “Autisitc,” “On the Spectrum,” and often having “ADD” with this. An adult with “ADD” is a diagnosis I have after a journey with my son.  Growing up I have a reputation with my siblings and parents as “Sandra has to do it her way!”
Recently, my son and I were eating out at “Chili’s,” his favorite resturant, in the town we live in here in Oklahoma.  Tanner, my son was asking the waitress about recent menu changes.  I hadn’t noticed but in addition to the mouth watering “Molten Chocolate Cake,” there is a new addition to this with a twist, the “Salted Caramel Molten!” It has a caramel center. Instead of chocolate ice cream it has vanilla ahttps://www.c
“May I ask…I don’t mean this in a bad way.  But are you Autistic?” Asked the waitress that has attended to us with great service at this Chili’s.
My son at first scrunched up and you can tell he was frustrated.  If you haven’t read my blogs. One can better understand this reaction by reading this post “Obvious Trouble with Current Accepted Disability Advocacy; Pointing Out What is Wrong!”@ .  It explains that he felt being called “Autistic”was like calling him the MR word. I tried to explain. Now I understand. It only came across that he was different or less than.  Anyone that has ever felt peer pressure or like an outsider knows this feeling.    My friend of over thirty years from college didn’t tell me she had CP until 2013.  I wondered why.  It didn’t matter but it was the same reason.  My mother has a clubfoot and one leg shorter than the other but she never went around explaining she had a disability.  Actually ever doctor visit when asked tall she was she like to play with people and say she average five feet.  This was met with confusion and blank stares.
“I say this because Autistic’s notice details and change with attention to details more than most!  I have admiration for those with autism.” Explained the waitress.
As she went on to state she had three siblings with autism. Saying she was quick to defend them when people were not polite or rude to them in public.  Further along in the conversation I found out she was from Wisconsin; not too far from where my father grew up.
Tanner’s expression began to change as the waitress Scan 4complemented those with autism and their great memory, attention to detail, honesty and other characteritics she admired.  I told her thank you and again reaffirmed that he had taught me a lesson but that there was a positive side to the term autism.  One that I can mention is that there are plenty of people known to be very smart that have been found to be Autisitc or have autism.  This doesn’t mean that everyone or person on the spectrum has a high IQ but many do.  I think my son is growing…has at least average to above average but his anxiety and nerves or other learning issues have made  him hide his true presentation from the world.  He keeps telling me that doesn’t mean he is that smart or that he will always remember something.
Don’t fear.  I am happy if he is below average, average, or above average in what society terms IQ. Although, I disagree with how this magical number is arrived at per tests as it is currently arrived at per formula’s.  Trust me I am vehement about this.  Reproducing drawings is one test and other such nature.  I have always been bad at this.  Now that I take ADD meds I have actually started drawing.
Oh well.  Put this another way and I love her for it, my son’s current psychiatrist said, “Tanner’s anxiety may cause him to function at MR level!”
Now I know we all hate MR as a word and what it means.  Yet, this wasn’t another undegreed or unmeasured scale adjective word that therapists, teachers and other providers had used for years with me to help me understand Tanner’s crippling anxiety.
Back to the question, “What are you doing different?” Asked by Sam Oliphant Developmental Doctor of Optometrist, Samuel C. Oliphant, O.D., F.A.A.O. see more at this link http://www.afeyecare.com/Categories.aspx?Id=Staff. He practices at Advance Family Eye Care here in Oklahoma City.
Oliphant has been Tanner’s eye doctor for many years.  We owe Oliphant a great deal.  In a way he has been a case manager for Tanner  helping direct me to the therapies most appropriate to his development and with what we could afford even though my husband is a pharmacist as I am (but I worked part time to work with my son extra time).  Also, knowing Tanner for so long, he is well qualifed to expound on noticing a vast difference in my son to comment in it.
Let the video’s give you the answer to the question first then I will explain some of the difference seen in Tanner my son of twenty years now.
Letham Stables website Letham Stables webstite

Here 2535afad-700c-47a4-af56-daee3e62bfee
The Letham Stables Mailbox!
John and Debby Letham have had the stables in Yukon not Piedmont, Oklahoma as i mistakenly stated above, “for over thirty-five years!” Both the person that takes my son, Melissa Andrews (http://linkedin.com/in/melissaaandrews  A person specializing in working with special needs/mentoring, youth employment, job coaching and more) and my cousin in Wisconsin that have extensive horsemanship knowledge are very impressed with John.  Heidi, my cousin, (riding since age 2 and has two horses of her own) said John had his horses considerable well trained after watching a video I sent her of Tanner working with the horse in the arena. Tanner had to learn to command the horse to trot/walk/lope and turn on a dime.  The horse responded to John’s voice and the whip (only an instrument of direction not used to hurt the horse I promise) instantly.
This is giving my son confidence and learning to pay attention and teach an animal to respond. Thus, helping with communication and confidence. Plus, the bond that happens between animals and humans, seemingly especially those with special needs such autism (at least to me) gives added emotional response of love and reassurance to Tanner and those like him or really any person that is a human!
John Letham is outstanding in his ways of working with people.  I doubt he changes when he is working with people of a disability or age or gender.  I expect John adapts his tact to meet the needs of his customers is all.  You can tell John loves his horses, customers and introducing each to the other.  John has facilitated a bit of a miracle in Tanner’s life with a lot of help from the horses ove the last year.
Therefore, Dr. Oliphant, to answer your question., “What are(am) I doing different(with Tanner)?”
That has caused Tanner to grow by leaps and bounds in his mannerisms, expressing himself and confidence is giving him riding lessons at Letham Stables.  Below is the address and phone number for contact info.  The website has already been posted.  I want to say I am sure part of this is his age and growing up development. However, I attribute plenty to the riding lessons, the horses as well as John’s input. Some may not like this part of what I know is a big deal in the mix…God.  His plan for Tanner is just that….his plan.  The lessons people learn from Tanner’s life are many.  I know I have learned plenty. God gave me more than the gift of a child in my son Tanner.  He healed me in many horrors of my own anxieties.
Here is the address of Letham Stables.
John & Debby Letham
Letham Stables
Yukon, Oklahoma 730