The Poodle Post: April 2010

Welcome to the April Edition of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Columbus Alumni Chapter The Poodle Post

Sigma Style: Autism Awareness Month

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.

In December 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their ADDM autism prevalence report. The report concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 110 births in the United States and almost 1 in 70 boys. The issuance of this report caused a media uproar, but the news was not a surprise to the Autism Society or to the 1.5 million Americans living with the effects of autism spectrum disorder. Nonetheless, the spotlight shown on autism as a result of the prevalence increase opens opportunities for the nation to consider how to serve these families facing a lifetime of supports for their children.

Currently, the Autism Society estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million, and that the United States is facing almost $90 billion annually in costs for autism (this figure includes research, insurance costs and non-covered expenses, Medicaid waivers for autism, educational spending, housing, transportation, employment, in addition to related therapeutic services and caregiver costs).

According to the Autism Society there are several things that you can do to celebrate Autism Awareness Month. Here is a list:

In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

Want to get involved with the autism community this April? Show your support this month by joining the Autism Society in wearing the ribbon, bouncing for autism, texting, and more!

Put on the Puzzle! The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most recognized symbol of the autism community in the world. Autism prevalence is now one in every 110 children in America - that’s 13 million families and growing who live with autism today. Show your support for people with autism by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon this month – as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or even your Facebook profile picture - and educate folks on the potential of people with autism! For suggestions and resources, visit www.autism-society.org/ribbon.

Spread the word. Helping the autism community can be as easy as updating your Facebook or Twitter status! On April 1, the Autism Society is asking supporters to change their status on Facebook and/or Twitter to “Autism affects 1 in 110. Text “AUTISM” to 50555 to donate $10 to the Autism Society. Help spread the word: http://bit.ly/bUAVRf.” For the first time ever, supporters can now simply text “AUTISM” to 50555 to donate $10 to the Autism Society. 100% of your donations will go to support the Autism Society’s mission of improving the lives of all affected by autism.

Make a difference. There are several important bills moving through Congress that will have important effects on the autism community – safer educational settings (Keeping All Students Safe Act), better autism services (Autism Treatment Acceleration Act), greater financial independence (Achieving a Better Life Experience Act), better protection against toxic chemicals (Toxic Substances Control Act Reform, introduction anticipated soon), and more. For more information about this legislation and to take action to support it, visit www.vote4autism.org.

Connect with your neighborhood. The Autism Society and inflatable playground franchise Pump It Up are bouncing again with “Bounce for Autism” – over 100 community-based fundraising events that combine family fun with raising awareness and support for autism in locations nationwide that welcome children on the autism spectrum. Many Autism Society local chapters also put on events in the community through the month of April. But if you can’t find an event that suits you just right, create your own! 1Power4Autism is an online tool that makes it easy to mobilize friends and family and help make a difference.

• Bounce for Autism: www.bounceforautism.org
• Autism Society chapters: www.autism-society.org/chapters
• 1Power4Autism: www.1power4autism.org

Watch a movie. Did you know that something that seems as simple as going to the movies is not an option for many families affected by autism? The Autism Society is working with AMC entertainment to bring special-needs families “Sensory Friendly Films” every month. Our special showing of How to Train Your Dragon is coming to a theatre near you on April 10. Or, you could see a movie about autism itself - the Autism Society is partnering with the Independent Television Service (ITVS) to support 70 community screenings of the new movie The Horse Boy, based on the memoir of the same name. In the film, Rupert Isaacson shares the inspiring story of how he and his wife learned to think of their son’s autism as an adventure rather than a curse, a beginning rather than an end. Find participating locations for both events at:

• Sensory Friendly Films: www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms
• The Horse Boy: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/horse-boy/

resource found here

Sigma Sizzles: Cool Fizzies

1 cup cranberry juice
1 can of lemon-lime soda
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup orange juice
8 ice cubes

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher together. Pour over ice cubes in a tall glass and enjoy.

recipe found here

Central Region News: New Officers Elected and Advisor of the Year Named

At this years Regional Conference in Indianapolis, IN, elections took place. The new regional officers are as follows:

• Soror Pamela Lee-- Syntaktes
• Soror Cinnamon Pelly-- Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator
• Soror Davonia Stuart-- Youth Services Coordinator
• Soror Fenobia Dallas --Grammateus
• Soror Jacqueline Washington Winston--Anti-Grammateus
• Soror Vanessa Tyson-Calvert--Tamiochus
• Soror Frankie Brown--Epistoleus
• Soror Elwanda Hayes--Nominating Chair
• Soror Daisy Copeland--Elections Chair

We would like to congratulate Soror Adrianne Edwards Keaton on her Advisor of the Year award that she recieved at the Central Region Conference. EE-Yip Soror. Keep up the good work.

Chapter News: EAG is Coming!!!
Get your Afros, bell bottoms and platforms and come to the Disco Rhoyal the Annual Evening of the Arts event. This years event will be held at Berwick Manor on April 24, 2010. Tickets are $25.00 and are available from any Soror. If you have any questions or need tickets, please contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com.


You like serving your community? You like working with people who are like minded? Then look to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Columbus Alumni Chapter. For more information about the chapter or Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com.


SIGMANNOUNCMENTS

• Happy Birthday and Anniversary to all Sorors who celebrate a birthday or a Sigmanniversary this month.
• The chapter will be volunteering at The Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure this year which will be held on May 15, 2010 in downtown Columbus. If interested in volunteering with us contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com.
• Chapter dues are due in July. If interested in pay them or making payment arrangements, contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com and the Grammateus and/or Tamiochus will be in contact with you.
• Remember check us out on Facebook.