Cat’s 2017 Autism Action Month Playlist
Previous Aprils have had down-in-the-dumps. That’s happened when new autism rates were announced and when the media turned a blind eye to why the rates increased. From what I’ve read over the last four weeks, the media has been somewhat silent on autism and vaccines. They haven’t been as hard on parents like me either. As the parent of a vaccine injured child who won’t stop talking about a vaccine-autism link, I’ll gladly take the break!
Getting a break has been refreshing. So has been choosing new songs to share during this year’s autism action month. Like every April for the last few years, I rely on my music to get me through the month. I listen to it on good days, on bad days, and on in between days, too.
Here’s a short playlist of my latest go-to music. Each song is dedicated to a certain group of people. If I’ve left anyone out, my apologies. If you have a song that you want to share, especially if it’s one that will get me and my kids dancing in the kitchen, please post it in the comments below. I’d love to take a listen to what inspires you.
xo, Cat
-
Bringin’ on the Heartbreak by Def Leppard
This song is for the Mom or Dad who is stuck - stuck thinking about how hard this is, how overwhelming this is, and how heartbreaking this is. It is hard, it is overwhelming, and some days, it absolutely can be heartbreaking. I know that because I sometimes live it. But I believe that things can eventually get better. On days that things don’t get better as quickly as I’d like, monster ballads like this one get cranked up really loudly.
Kid Heart by ToddZero
For the parent who’s in the midst of frustrations and struggles, push through. I know, easier said than done. It may not seem possible in this very moment, but I have a feeling you will find your way again. Draw on your strengths. And if you fall down, don’t forget to get back up.
This is for the parent who has fought back but who keeps falling down. I know it’s tough. Believe me, I know. But hey, mama, get back up. It’s not over yet. Please, don’t dream it’s over.
One Call Away by Charlie Puth
Years ago, I had a friend who was suicidal. When we’d go stretches without getting the chance to see each other, I’d randomly get the urge to call her. I used to joke and say that was the Holy Spirit tapping me on the shoulder telling me to call, “Hey, Cat, she needs a little boost. Things aren’t going so well right now. Take a minute to give her a quick call.” Sometimes I’d ignore that little tap on my shoulder though. If I did that, I’d soon get a slap upside the head, “CAT, CALL HER. NOW!” and would finally made the call. It would be then that I’d discover that yes, things were awful for my friend. And each time I’d call, the friend would say, “I have no idea how you knew I needed to hear from you, but…you knew.” This song is for the warrior mama who senses that another warrior mama or papa needs a quick phone call. Sweet friends, when you sense that feeling, promise me that you’ll make the call.
‘Till The End of Time by Perry Como
This song is for the grandparents who picked up the pieces and are now caring for their grandchild with autism. For our AofA grandparent readers, especially for Granny Blue, my wish is that the love you have for your grandchild will extend beyond the end of time.
Don’t Bring Me Down by ELO
For the parent who’s about to get lectured by the pediatrician, my best advice is to stay strong. Be brave! Don’t let anyone, especially someone doesn’t have you or child’s best interest in mind, bring you down.
God’s Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash
For that pediatrician who prefers to fire parents instead of help them, for that educator/administrator who’s more worried about saving money than providing appropriate education, and to that politician who’s a rotten, greedy sunofgun, this one’s for you.
Heavy by Linkin Park and Kiiara
This one is for the siblings, like Ronan’s, who, despite the many ups and downs they’ve witnessed, keep putting one foot in front of the other. They hold onto hope. They keep smiling. They stay faithful. They, like so many other siblings, do all of that selflessly and with only the purest of love in their hearts.
Believer by Imagine Dragons
And finally, the last song. This one is for me, from Ronan’s siblings. Ronan’s older sister and younger brother heard this when it first came out. Both came to be separately and told me that it reminded them so much of me. They said it made them think of how much faith I have in Ronan and that they believe in their brother because of how much I believe in him. I was speechless. I was humbled. I was, and remain, grateful for these beautiful souls who’ve been entrusted to me.
So, that’s a wrap. Do share what keeps your toes tapping on a good day and what turns on the water works on a tough day. And don’t forget – every day here is a great day for some autism action, and every day is a good day to turn up the volume and let the music in.
Cathy Jameson is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism.
Dear Cathy ,RNMH/RNLD Nurses want to stand apart to suport age of autism .
Registered Nurses for Learning Disabilities love kitchen conferencences and love family progress and potential to get the real assessment of needs completed, and then take it from there .
To work with families dealing with daily behavioural meltdowns that are happening once a day to working with progress of same perhaps still happening twice a month is a work in progress and a huge improvement over frequency of behavioural episodes of no limits no boundaries which is a health and safety nightmare within a family situation. Support needs are achievable with the right team work in place!
What gives me hope is that ordanary people are usually very much unpredictably amazing when they need to be .
Get the kitchen music blasting out loud and clear B52'S Love Shack Bob Marley One love Runrig Protect and survive
Posted by: morag | April 25, 2017 at 07:04 AM
Great playlist. I am going to share some of the songs and say I heard them through you. I was listening to Katie Melua (I cried for you and Just Like Heaven) because I lost my son at the beginning of this year. I am still a warrior but without my beautiful and sweet Dany (32 yrs old) it has been pretty hard. All the best to you and your beautiful Ronan. A big hug to Granny Blue from Caracas, Venezuela https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rmil_raUtU
Posted by: Maria Russo | April 23, 2017 at 11:06 PM
AoA readers should get in on the fun in the comment section over at Fox news youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzIgqQPrqpc
Posted by: Me. | April 23, 2017 at 11:02 AM
Cathy, I sat here with tears pouring down this rainy morning when I ran got my husband to read your dedication to me and other grandparents caring for their grandchildren with autism. Times are rough and this was beautiful. We held hands listening to Perry Como's "Til the End of Time" which we remember from when it was top on the charts! Thank you so much. And I am sending you the lyrics of my favorite in good times and bad, which you easily find on Youtube. I can only do he ords--I don't know how to send it o Youtube, but it's an ideal Autism Month recovery song, It's "The Rose" from 1979, written by Amanda McBroom and made No 1 favorite by Bette Midler. Here it is: Some say love it is a river that drowns the tender weed; Some say love it is a razor that leaves the soul to bleed; :Some say love it is a hunger, an endless aching need. I say love it is a flower, and YOU the only seed. It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance; It's the dream of waking that never has a chance; It's the one who won't be taken that never learns to live. It's the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live. When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long; When you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong; Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows...Lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose."
Posted by: Granny Blue | April 23, 2017 at 11:02 AM
This one goes out to the Main Stream Media and the PHARMA lobbied politicians who willingly lied to us about the link between vaccines and autism. Who are responsible for the epidemic of autism. Who gave my child autism and then called me an anti vaxxer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nW-IPrzM1g
Posted by: Sour Puss | April 23, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Here's one of my favorites .. STRONG .. by Will Hoge .. which I dedicate to all those STRONG people who have suffered the slings and arrows of our sworn enemies .. such as .. Dr Wakefield and Del Bigtree .. to name just two of so many more .. which would certainly include Cathy's entire family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqegppuwDZk
Lyrics ....
They ain't just tough .. their STRONG
They will pick you up and won't let you down
rock solid inside out
somebody you can trust
steady as the sun
ain't nothing gonna knock them off the road their travelling on
THEIR STRONG
Posted by: Bob Moffit | April 23, 2017 at 06:32 AM