Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Fighting Autism, One Smutty Story at a Time

I'm going to take a slight break from my typical double-finger-to-the-world attitude and hit you all up for money. I'm totally taking advantage of your Twitarded camaraderie from the Forks announcement. No, I am not asking for money for myself; I'm asking for a good cause. Though, giving money to me would be a good cause. I am a hot mess and could use all the help I can get. But I digress...

You may remember the fan-fucking-tastic work the Fandom Gives Back organization did for Alex's Lemonade. They raised over $200,000 dollars for childhood cancer research during the New Moon and Eclipse movie releases. Twitards alone donated over $3,000. Take a moment to appreciate that. I think my neighborhood Target has donated around $80,000 to charity over the past 5 years. Next time someone belittles your Twilight fascination, punch them in the face and ask them if their friends have ever raised over $200K for charity over the course of a couple weeks. You are awesome and you are a force to be reckoned with.

Stay fierce, Twitards.

Fandom Gives Back has raised money for a number of other charities. When I saw the cause they are spotlighting in April, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do my part. Beginning April 1st, they are raising money for Autism Speaks. This is a charity very near and dear to my heart. One of my godsons is autistic. (I can hear all of you guffawing that someone entrusted me with their child's spiritual upbringing. LMT.) I've read every new case study and every bit of research I can get my hands on. I think I can quote statistics in my sleep. Autism Speaks does a fabulous job of raising money and awareness for this disorder.



What can you do? If you're an author (or aspiring author), you can donate a story. All the stories will be compiled and delivered to anyone who donates as little as $5 to Autism Speaks. That's it. Just show a $5 receipt for anytime during the month of April (don't donate until April for this specific cause) and you get all the stories.


I've signed up to donate a story. What I didn't realize until tonight is, my donation is due on the last day of SXSW. Could I be more of a moron? Doubtful. If you're not familiar with SXSW, it's pretty much a week long binge drinking festival. I think some bands play too. It's hard to remember. If you think I should just write the story ahead of time and submit it before 11:59:59 PM on March 20th, you don't know me well at all. I apologize in advance if my entry looks like this:

Belka nad Edwad ssjkth htha lnmlllllllllllllllllllll

I have a few ideas on what I can write, but [says like Edward] I'd like to hear your theories. YES, I will update Going Down? before then. Don't start with me. Leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments. More importantly, please spread the word and donate in April. Write yourself a note so you don't forget. Then make me a note so I don't forget to write.

What's this string for?

I'll post a reminder in April, but in the meantime, let's send autism a message: Twitards have your number.

30 comments:

  1. still looking for my vampJanuary 19, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    I fucking HATE autism. Don't get me started on it. I know too many families who have been affected by the bastard. My company actually partners with a company in Canada and we give to the Geneva Center up there.

    Count me in for some money - just write me a note to your note to my note...you get the idea.

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  2. still looking for my vampJanuary 19, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    HOLY SHIT - I am 1st to comment!

    Never happened before, Usually a day or two late. Do I have to live up to this now that I am actually on time for something????

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  3. TK - thank you for posting this! My son has high-functioning autism and as much as he has grown leaps and bounds it still cripples our everyday life (EVERY effing little thing has to be planned).
    I have to tell a lot of strangers to blow it out their hole when they complain about my son (who is usually having an over-load in sensory issues).
    Super excited about this! Autism Speaks is a great org!!

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  4. I don't mean to be a sap, but I got all weepy with pride when I'd read this. I would love nothing more than to support this cause while flying the Twitard flag high! Not sure yet about ideas, but there's time to think it over, right? ;) Rawk on, TK, rawk on.

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  5. Count me in, since you asked so nicely;) Srsly, I'd pay to read anything you write, TK!

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  6. I have ALWAYS been an advocate for children with ASD. In fact, my grad school admission research paper was on ASL as a therapy tool for non-verbal children with ASD. I have logged the hours (even if I got a rejection letter).

    And yesterday, I attended a full day seminar on ASD vs. RAD and specialized treatment and socialization expectations for each. I'm tellin' ya. BEST LECTURE EVAH. SO fascinating.

    I'm on this. That's what I'm tryin' to say.

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  7. I'll definitely donate and try to help you think of some good story ideas. Did I say "good"? I just meant story ideas. I don't know how good they'll be... If I had good ideas, I would have written ff a while ago. :)

    I don't know anyone affected by autism but I'm a sensitive sally and I'll do whatever I can to help out because this is for a great cause.

    You h00rs rock my world. Underneath those hard, cursing exteriors, you all have hearts of gold.

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  8. I am DOWN WITH THIS!

    One of my best friend's son has Autism (he's just on the spectrum, slightly autistic, I can't remember what it's called, I suck). Anyway, being that she moved the hell away from me, I don't get to see her or her son very often (not bitter AT ALL!). And even though this happened a few years ago, let me tell you, NOTHING was more tear-jerky (real word, trust!) than watching him go up to a mutual friend and sit on her lap and carry on a conversation. A real conversation. I just sat there and watched him and smiled. He may have been 4 at the time, but the time prior that I had seen him, he was barely speaking! I don't think I am describing the awesomeness of the moment properly, but, hopefully you get my point. Little things mean SO much to kids with Autism (and parents with kids who have Autism).

    I'm in for some cash-ola!
    Together let's kick Autism's ass.

    Never prouder to be a TWITARD!
    :)Jen

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  9. I love that Twihards can come together to raise money for a good cause, other than to fatten Rob's wallet :)

    I just emailed you my idea.

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  10. Autism sucks. Mr. VitR's best friend's 4 year old son has autism...so, yes, it is an issue that I am aware of and want to support. Count me in TK...but don't forget to remind me to pay up, kay? I will remind you, if you remind me.

    Pssssst....I knew she had a heart.

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  11. You're all right TK....I don't care what they say about you!

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  12. Yet another reason I love Twitarded. From perving on the Precious to raising money for worthwhile charities. You h00rs ROCK!

    My husband is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum, so this cause is near and dear to me. I'm totally in.

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  13. Thank you Twitarded for posting yet again in support of FGB and the charities :) You're all f'in awesome.

    xoxo
    Nina C aka ninapolitan aka FGB HBIC

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  14. Who wrote this post? Did someone hack into Twitarded and use TK's login info?

    Aww, jk bb... I loves you a lot and I think it's wonderful you're doing this... even if I don't really believe it's you who wrote this post.

    Count me in!

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  15. So let me get this straight: for as little as $5, I get not one, but ALL of the stories??? SA-WEET!

    All joking aside, I'll be donating no matter what. My son has Asperger's, so this cause is very near & dear to my heart.

    You guys rock.

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  16. You ladies rock. I don't know anyone affected by autism (that I know of) but any bit I can contribute I will do.

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  17. tell me who to make a check out to. my beautiful nephew has it.

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  18. Ah yes, porn for a good cause. I will definitely donate. Or maybe even write a one shot. I'm in the same sxsw boat as TK so mine might not be any better than hers...

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  19. Count me in for a donation too.. Maybe write a story of Edward and clumsy Bella growing up as best friends and then eventually falling in love..but with all the crap in between..

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  20. I work in a therapeutic day school where some of the kids have autism. Its really aweful. Count me in for a donation!

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  21. I'm in.

    Fandom Gives Back is incredible and I am so proud of all of you for all the support you give whether it be money, writing or just a cheer! Twitards rock!!

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  22. Can you write a Going Down outtake involving a fic crossover with Steve Carrell's character Michael Scott from the Office? If so, ***I'll donate $500.

    xo,
    Myg

    ***No, I won't. But will you do it anyway? Please?

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  23. Thanks for posting this, as the mom of a 12 yo with Aspergere's I appreciate all the awareness and donations to help fund research!

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  24. Thank you so much for posting about FGB for Autism Awareness. As a Mom of a 5 year old boy with autism, it's so important we get the word out about how additional research/resources are needed.
    I'm helping out with the fundraiser and over 90 authors have volunteered to donate a o/s to the compilation! We're looking forward to seeing all the lovely things people write and just how much money we can raise together as the awesome fandom I know we are.
    Thanks again,
    Melissa228

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  25. There is so much gererosity behind so many perverted peeps! Love it!
    My son has high functioning autism. He's the best kid! Thanks for putting Autism Speaks on more radars!

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  26. I have two sons, Liam and Nicky, who have Autism. I can't even begin to explain how it alters your life. As the first commenter said, I fucking loath the disese! My kids can't talk because of it. They can't sat mama or daddy, they can't even say help me, if they need it. Can you imagine living without speaking?! Try for 24 hours and then maybe you'll get it. Then maybe people will stop making Rain Man jokes. I only pray one day it will finally be cured. One in sixty babies are born with it now. Scary!

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  27. Thanks to any and all of you who participate in this.

    A few of you know that one of my six year old twins is Autistic. Truly, this voyage into the twiverse is part of what has kept me sane over the last several years.

    I am so excited that the fandom is taking this on!!!

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  28. I will be donating money to this! I'm very excited. For the past ten years I have been a special ed preschool teacher. I know very many individuals with autism so this charity is very near to my heart.

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  29. Thanks to any and all of you who participate in this.

    A few of you know that one of my six year old twins is Autistic. Truly, this voyage into the twiverse is part of what has kept me sane over the last several years.

    I am so excited that the fandom is taking this on!!!

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  30. There is so much gererosity behind so many perverted peeps! Love it!
    My son has high functioning autism. He's the best kid! Thanks for putting Autism Speaks on more radars!

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