God, Can You Hear My non-Speaking Voice? A lot is said in Silence... #Autism #AutismAwareness #Faithbased #SoulSearching

 

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Get a copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Books-a-Million

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

As you've seen, it hasn't been a year of many blog posts for BB.  If one's heart isn't in it, it shouldn't be shared.  Pero, this post fills Babushka's corazon completely, on so many levels.  

First, it's about a child with Autism. La Princesa,  BB's granddaughter extraordinaire, is on the Autism spectrum.  Secondly, it's written by a dear amiga, Christine Goulbourne. We go back many lunas, and her love and life as a madre of a non-speaking child has been many a conversation and concern. A dedicated advocate, Christine has worked in the public and private sector about special needs children.  It was on a blogger convention that we met. BB with her Baile, and Christine with Sensory Friends.

https://www.sensoryfriends.com/

1. Your book is based on your son Ritchie. Tell us a little about the inspiration for this book.  

The book "God, Can You Hear My-Nonspeaking Voice," is inspired by my son Richie who is this great 21-year-old guy who has autism. Richie is charming, funny, and incredibly smart, and even though he is non-reliably speaking (because he does have some words he uses efficiently), he gets his message across. Richie and I recite the Lord's Prayer every night together. It took some time, but he learned it and says it quite well.  

2. What do you hope people feel/will take from this book? Praying with and listening to Richie pray each night is a remarkable thing to witness. It made me realize that parents can try to teach their sons and daughters who have autism or any disability how to pray to our wonderful God. It's a beautiful way to bond spiritually and develop your relationship with God together. Even if your child or adult son or daughter cannot speak out loud, who can prove that they will not memorize or learn what is prayed every evening? For families like mine who have struggled with going to an in-person service because of access, acceptance, or sensitivity as a barrier, it's difficult to hold on to religious customs and traditions. Even if worshiping the Good Lord in person is not possible at this time, knowing that God hears us all, knows our hearts, still loves us, and gives us His grace, may inspire families to worship online together or simply come together in daily or nightly prayer.  

"God, if you can hear my non-speaking voice, I want to go to church with my family. "

God, Can You Hear My Non-Speaking Voice?

3. How do you see the future for those on the autistic spectrum? I see the autistic community continuing to make progress across all legislative fronts.  They have become efficient and result-producing advocates for improving community inclusion and increasing employment opportunities. These are among the many issues that the autistic community is actively advocating for on behalf of their community and the disability community overall.  I see growth and as an integrationist, I believe these are issues for which we all should take an active role. 

4. Are there more books in the future? Yes, I'm excited to share that there is a series of children's books I am working on, and the first is about to be published! In the new year, I am going to release, "The Rabbit in the Window," a book about a rabbit with autism, who at first, is reluctant to make friends with two other forest animals. In time, they learn about each other and become the best of friends. Like other books in this new series, all the stories celebrate and teach acceptance and inclusion. They illustrate that there are friendships of all kinds that may be different because of how you play, communicate, and share things with new friends with disabilities. Then you find out that the differences don't change what you still have in common. It doesn't change the laughter and fun to be had as friends. Children will learn they are more alike than different and that friendship is just friendship. 

"God, if you can hear my non-speaking voice, I want to make friends."

God, Can You Hear My Non-Speaking Voice?

For understanding, encouragement, heartfelt sentiment,

 BB can't recommend this book enough.  

Babushka Besos a Todos.

Cuidensen.

Website: https://www.sensoryfriends.com

Book page: https://www.sensoryfriends.com/god-can-you-hear-my-non-speaking-voice.html

Giveaway: https://www.sensoryfriends.com/sensory-friendly-events.html

Investing In Their Futuro- ABLEUnited Investing 101 Webinar w/Giveaway! #sponsored

A sponsored post on behalf of ABLEUnited and Bloggin' Mamas. 

 Happily watched, shared and honestly commented on by Babushka.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Babushka fool around when talking about The Grands' futures? JU SO FONII!!! Por eso, por La Princesa and all those wonderfuls like her, BB gets straight to the reason for this post.

"If you attended ABLE United’s webinar last month, How to Save and Invest with ABLE United, now is the time to take action by signing up for an account during the month of May and be entered into the change to win a $250 contribution to your account!

If you missed it, there is still an opportunity for you to learn how you can save tax-free and invest for you or your loved one’s future – click here to view the recorded webinar. This webinar featured representatives from Callan, ABLE United’s investment consultants, who helped prospective account holders understand investing, risk, performance, and the differences between each of ABLE United’s investment options.

Asset thresholds no longer a barrier – so open up your account and start saving for a better future.

Open your account by May 31, 2018, and you could be the one lucky winner to receive a $250 account contribution from ABLE United! To get started, click here – and make sure to use BABUSHKA17 upon sign-up to also receive a free enrollment package.

If you have any questions along the way, call their customer service hotline at 1-888-524-ABLE (2253) or email them at customerservice@ableunited.com."

Rapidito, for those who don't want to watch the webinar, the main point of ABLEUnited is to share the program, and the advantages to saving and investing in it for your loved one. First, the rules of eligibility and quick summary:

Ok, si estan eligible, next is the investing section. As stated arriba, you can call or email ABLEUnited, pero for those of you who want a more detallado response, aqui esta el webinar:

  Super Interesante and Informative. And Super Importante.
Remember Beautifuls, the Giveaway is luck.  Your loved one's futuro, is Planning. ABLEUnited 
BB2U

Jump Start $avings con ABLE United.

This is a sponsored post with ABLE United & Bloggin' Mamas.  Two companies that fill BB's corazon with smiles. Opinions expressed are Babuhska's. 

ESOOOO!! That's what BB think when she thinks about ABLE United.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!!

🎄🎄‘Tis the season for giving, and ABLE United is in the holiday espirito! 🎄🎄

In addition to recently reducing the monthly account fee to $0.00, they are also offering individuals who create a new account during the months of November and December the opportunity to win a $1,000 contribution – and if you use my promo code “BABUSHKA17” during registration, they will send you un regalito.

OJO !! Importante to note, especially during the holiday season, that anyone may contribute to an ABLE United account via the eGift portal, check, money order, cashier’s check, or automatic contribution. Y'all know Babushka's on ese!

ABLE United provides family members and amigos with the opportunity to make a gift to an individual with a disability in the same manner as they would to a 529 college savings account. Beautifuls, be mindful of some of the differences between an ABLE United account and a 529 college savings account. Las diferencias you should take into consideration might include:

- ABLE United accounts can only receive up to $14,000 in contributions from all sources per year (limite increases to $15,000 in 2018).

- Funds in an ABLE United account can be used tax-free for a wide variety of qualified disability expenses including housing, transportation, medical, and even basic living expenses.

To see how ABLE United has helped people like you plan for – and fund – their future, click here to read Bridget Hawk’s story on how her son used his ABLE account to save for his first car.

And now a BB Twofer. Open your account by December 31, 2017, and you could be the one lucky winner to receive a $1,000 account contribution from ABLE United! ESOOO!! Peace of mind on you loved one's future finance and un chance to give that finance a good boost via un premio!  

 To get started, click here http://bit.ly/BBABLEUnited – and if you have preguntas along the way, call their customer service hotline at 1-888-524-ABLE (2253) or email them at customerservice@ableunited.com.

Feibu:  https://www.facebook.com/ABLEUnited/

Website: http://bit.ly/BBABLEUnited

Happiest of Holidays, and here's to our children's futures!!

BB2U

Planning for Hoy, Manana and the Futuro #ABLEunited & #SpecialNeeds

As a Bloggin' Mamas Mamabassador, BB is happy to share her conocimientos of ABLEunited with you. Como siempre, opinions son de this abuela of an autistic princesa.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Babushka believes in doing everything in her alcance to empower and support mi familia- especialmente The Grands. Some things are harder than others, especially with my Granddaughter La Princesa who's autistic. But does that mean we don't look for every possible to insure her future too? JU SO FONII !!! Felizmente there's a programa that's going to do eso mismo.

"The National Disability Institute reports that an estimated 1.9 million households that include an individual with a disability do not have a checking or savings account. Many lack adequate financial education and the necessary tools to grow their savings. Until now, some were not even provided the same opportunities to save as the general population.

Individuals with disabilities who rely on government means-tested assistance programs to meet their needs were previously limited to only $2,000 in assets. This effectively prevented them from planning for the future and forced them to live in poverty. But now, this $2,000 asset limit is no longer a barrier.

ABLE United offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to save up to $14,000 each year, tax-free, without negatively impacting federal benefits.

Some of the benefits of ABLE accounts include:

- Access

- Flexibility

- Funeral and burial payments

- Doesn’t require attorney

- No monthly cost or cost to open

- Already approved by SSA and Medicaid"

That's the language oficial from ABLEUnited. Babushka y familia already know La Princesa would benefit from this, pero how does an ABLE account compare to other financial planning tools, such as a special needs trust?

We'll be sure to atender ABLE United and special needs attorney Travis Finchum in a discussion of the attributes of both types of accounts, to help determine the best choice for us. Join us so tu tambien can make and informed decision on what's best for your familia, your loved one, or the people you serve.

Register HERE for the webinar.

Y si son como Babushka, if you agree that this is something super especial for the Special Needs persona in your life, sign up with el codigo BABUSHKA17 and know you've made a very important contribution to their vida. 

Start saving here and now con BABUSHKA17!!

Nos vemos el 26- See you there!

BB2U

HOME EDITION: Feeling Buddies for Families Tweety Fiesta!! #FB4F

Promo

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!!

Que foto mas tierno verdad? If only we could have moments like that. Saben que? 

With Feeling Buddies you'll learn how to do eso mismito.

Join Bloggin Mamas as we host the Feeling Buddies #FB4F Twitter Party on October 17th, 2017 at 9pm EST/ 6pm PST! We’ll be chatting with Fran Rubio-Katz, a Certified Conscious Discipline® Instructor. Plus, there’s a chance to win prizes too!

Date: Tuesday, October 17th, 2017

Time: 9pm EST / 6pm PST

Hashtag: #FB4F

Presented by: @BlogginMamas

Featuring: @ConsciousD

Moderators: English– @HeLoEnterprises Spanish– @BBabushka

Co-Hosts: @darcibean @3sonshavei @MomsWhoSave @NotperfectTre @thedomesticexec @GiveawayBandit @Operation40K @JaneLovesStuff

About the Feeling Buddies

The HOME EDITION: Feeling Buddies for Families Toolkit is a newly released product from Conscious Discipline®, a leading provider in social-emotional learning and classroom management resources. This Self-Regulation toolkit is exclusively available for purchase at http://feelingbuddies.com/ CLASSROOM EDITION: Feeling Buddies Self-Regulation Toolkit, which has consistently brought about transformational results in schools, even with hard-to-reach and special needs students.

The kit was reimagined for home use, and includes content and resources that present a framework for self-regulation for adults and children. The kit also includes access to six video coaching sessions with the creator and Conscious Discipline® founder, Dr. Becky Bailey. Although Conscious Discipline® is widely recognized by educators, general consumers and parents are likely less familiar with the brand.

Follow the Feeling Buddies

Like Conscious Discipline on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ConsciousDiscipline twitter.com/ConsciousD vimeo.com/consciousdiscipline www.youtube.com/user/lovingguidance
Tweetshare:

Join @BlogginMamas & @ConsciousD for a Feeling Buddies twitter chat on Tues 10/17/17 at 9p ET/ 6p PT #FB4F RSVP https://t.co/0qqtG779B4 pic.twitter.com/1nmndTeXDk

October 13, 2017

Prizes

Sophie's Super Splendid Box of Books

The Sophie series is an essential introduction to Conscious Discipline for youngsters age 0-5. This unique set of books is designed to build character through conflict for children by using relatable, delightful stories while also modeling the use of Conscious Discipline for adults.

1- Book Prize Pack- ARV $45 (1 per winner)

RSVP Prize

1- Book Prize Pack- ARV $45 (1 per winner)

RSVP Below!!

Terms and Conditions

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.

By RSVP’ing to this event and utilizing the #FB4F hashtag, the attendees acknowledge having read and agreed to these terms and conditions. RULES: http://blogginmamas.com/archives/14116

Nos Vemos alli Beautifuls- C U There!!

BB2U

Disclosure: Bloggin’ Mamas is managing this Twitter Party. Individual co-hosts are receiving compensation for their participation. All prize fulfillment is the responsibility of the sponsor.

Happy Cumples & Gracias to #ABLEUnited ! #DisabilitySavings #sponsored #ambassador

This is a sponsored post between ABLEUnited and Bloggin' Mamas. As part of their Mamabassador program BB cheerfully and gratefully shares their message. Opinions are Babushka's- como always. 

 HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Guess who turned One? Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! No, it wasn't my granddaughter La Princesa, aunque the one we're celebrating is definitivamente an important part of her life and those like her. Since last July, ABLEUnited has been helping familias with special needs children to save for their future without endangering any government ayuda they receive. Ya tienen el año and in celebration they're waving all sign up fees!

"ABLE United is Florida’s qualified ABLE program, which was established to encourage and assist people with disabilities to save private funds to support health, independence and quality of life. It allows individuals to save up to $14,000 annually without affecting benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid while the funds in the account grow tax-free. Funds can be used on qualified expenses covering a wide range of categories including housing, transportation, and basic living expenses.  "

“For years, individuals receiving federal benefits were dramatically limited in the amount of money they could save, but now, they have an opportunity to truly invest in their financial future.”

"ABLE United is different from other savings and investment options available for individuals with disabilities. Benefits include:

• The funds saved in the account generally will not affect government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• The ability to use funds from the account to pay for a wide variety of expenses tax-free.
• The account is owned by the individual with the disability, though an authorized person may establish and help oversee the account.
• Anyone can contribute to the account, allowing the individual to save with the help of family and friends. "

ESOOOOOO!!! THAT's the part BB loves.

Abuelos, Tios, Primos, Family, Friends,

EVERYBODY is welcome to add to your loved ones future financial wellbeing.

To be eligible to open an ABLE United account, the individual must meet the disability and severity requirements outlined by the Social Security Administration, have experienced the onset of blindness or the disability before age 26, and be a Florida resident.  

Finally, a little piece of mind for those of us who worried about our niños and their mañanas.
BB is very grateful to have ABLEunited, congratulates them on their 1st year and wishes them

Happy Cumples, ♫ And Mucho, Many Mas!!!♫

BB2U

p.s. Prior AbleUnited posts

#Florida 's ABLE and Ready - Are You? #DisabilitySavings #ABLEUnited

#ABLEUnited #DisabilitySavings for our Children. #sponsored

Learn the Basics. Feb. 28, 8 pm #ABLEUnited #webinar #Florida #specialneeds

Babushka is honored to be part of ABLE Mama'Bassadors program between ABLEUnited and Bloggin' Mamas. Opinions stated are all BB's.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Babushka is feeling so proud of her home state of Florida. Making sure our residents with special needs have opportunities like everyone else, we were one of the first to make a savings plan under the ABLE Act.  People with disabilities can now fund essential expenses with tax-advantaged savings under the program ABLE United This is a relatively new option for saving money without penalty of losing federal and other benefits.  Porque honestamente, doesn't everyone deserve the chance to dream and plan for a better futuro?

· Until recently, individuals receiving federal benefits were restricted in the amount of money they could save, effectively preventing them from planning for the future and leaving many with no other choice but to live in poverty.

· For individuals with disabilities, fear of losing benefits or costs of setting up special needs trust has often prevented or limited them from considering all of their options to build financial security. 

· The ABLE Act amends section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code allowing each state to create tax-advantaged savings accounts specifically for individuals with disabilities.

· These savings and investment accounts allow individuals to save money while maintaining federal benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

· The ABLE Act now allows individuals with disabilities to save up to $14,000 without impacting government benefits

BB for one is glad she can help brighten our granddaughter's future a little bit by contributing to her ABLE account.  To know that La Princesa will be financially better tomorrow by what we can add hoy makes the worry a little less.  If you still have questions about ABLE United please join the webinar.

To RSVP https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6186875344380435970

BB2U

Past post on ABLE United, because if you think esto es todo Babushka's said about ABLEUnited-

JU SO FONII!!! 

#ABLEUnited #DisabilitySavings for our Children. #sponsored

Babushka is honored to be part of ABLE Mama'Bassadors program between ABLEUnited and Bloggin' Mamas.  Opinions stated are all BB's.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!!!

Isn't that picture just precioso?  Sweetie and BB had our granddaughter La Princesa for a little bit this verano and some wonderful memories were made.  Now that she's young (and so are we- relatively) we were able to have lots of fun and meet all her needs and wants.  Quee??  Ok Si, we totally spoiled her, and hope to be able to do so for a long time.  Lamentablemente she is growing up way too fast and before we know it she'll be off on her own.  A sobering thought for all families, but for those of us who's loved ones have special needs, who've been diagnosed with disabilities, it can be downright scary. Babushka has written about this before and will say it otra vez.  Thankfully, Florida has the ABLE Account, enacted for the ABLE Act which authorizes states to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities.

And why specifically an ABLE Account when there are other ways to save?

Who can have an ABLEUnited account?

There's an Eligibility Wizard if you'd like to be sure your loved one qualifies.

http://www.ableunited.com/learn/eligibility/eligibility-wizard/

It takes 15 mins to sign up for a lifetime of assistance.

THIS is the part Sweetie and BB are very happy about.  As grandparents we can contribute to La Princesa's account with no problem or penalty for anyone.  ESOOOOOOO!!!!  Abuelos, Amigos, Anyone can help with a child's future.

The 4 most asked questions about this program are shared  HERE

pero if you still need assistance...

If you or someone you know could use this program please share it.  

The main site: http://www.ableunited.com/

Feibu: https://www.facebook.com/ABLEUnited/

Keep an eye out for another TWEETY FIESTA about the ABLEUnited plan, 
porque if you think Babushka has said todo...

JU SO FONII!!!


BB2U