By Kim Stagliano

I've struggled with how to  honor Dan here at AofA.  One of the main differences between Dan and other journalists is that Dan listened. He listened to mothers telling him that their children changed post vaccination. He didn't run to his desk and write that we were vindictive lunatics looking to blame anything and everything for our kids' autism. HE LISTENED to the mothers (and fathers) and started investigating.

I have this video of my daughter singing the Carpenters' song, "Sing," made famous (at least in our house) by Sesame Street. It has been a theme song here for more than 40 decades. Mia loves it. I loved it as a girl.   During great autism struggles, when I feared for Mia's life during seizures or when she was lost during a vacation, I would think to myself, "If anything happens to her, we will play SING at her funeral." 

Instead, she is singing it here, for me, for you, for Dan Olmsted. My dear friend.  The video is 1:11 long. For those of you who follow me, you know that angel numbers play a big role in my life.  1:11.



Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad.

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple to last
Your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not
Good enough for anyone
Else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.

Sing, sing a song
Let the world sing along
Sing of love there could be
Sing for you and for me.

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple to last
Your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not
Good enough for anyone
Else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.

Dan I worked together, hand in glove. I've said to a number of friends since his death, "It's like we're on a jumbo jet. I'm the co-pilot. I've been flying the plane with the pilot, taking the controls when he needed a break, with a great crew all of whom are able to fly the plane. Except now, I'm the pilot. And it feels differently. Lonely."

But I will sing, in Dan's name.  Of good things. Not bad. Of happy. Even though I am sad.

Love, Kim