MH25-14. Don Mesibov on Autisic Poetry

April 7, 2025April 6, 2025Self Discovery Wisdom Podcast

Mental Health Awareness with Sara Troy and her guest Don Mesibov, on air from April 8th

I met Connor Newcombe at a reading of my book on autism. He’s a college graduate, but due to the anxiety and stress rooted in his experience growing up with autism, holding a traditional job isn’t possible for him. Tasks that require long focus become overwhelming. Still, he’s found purpose by joining me in autism workshops.

At one session, a two-hour workshop a 45-minute drive from our town, Connor spoke for just five minutes about what it’s like to live with autism. The 25 participants applauded him warmly. Though he only added a few comments afterward, several attendees made a point to thank him personally.

On the way home, Connor turned to me and said, “Don, this has been one of the best days of my life.” It was a powerful moment—this is someone who’s rarely felt affirmed.

Then, as we drove, Connor told me he writes poetry and asked if our Institute could help publish his work. The next day, he emailed me 43 poems. They were beautiful—reflections on nature, his grandmother, cats, and everyday observations. I had several English teachers read them, and they agreed: his talent was real.

I told Connor, “Your poems are wonderful, but if you want your collection to stand out, write more about your experiences as someone living with autism.”

“How many do I need?” he asked.

“101 sounds like a good number,” I replied.

Without missing a beat, he said, “Then I need 58 more. I’ll send you one poem a day.”

That’s the kind of spirit we believe in, the voices that deserve to be heard, the stories that deserve to be told. That’s why we do this work. Because it matters.

Our ideal customer is one who wants to make the world a better place for ALL people, including but not limited to people with autism.

We are an all-volunteer 30 30-year-old 501 (c) (3) organization of 150 people interested in helping people become aware of what autism is and what it is not.

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In recent months, we’ve held eight two-hour Discussion Sessions and reached 175 individuals—educators, first responders, and community members—who regularly engage with people on the autism spectrum, often with little training or support. More sessions are coming in January to Northern NY, North Carolina, and California. These are the people we aim to empower—with understanding, compassion, and practical knowledge.

Don’s commitment runs deep. His brother, Gary, was a global leader in autism education from 1973 to 2018, directing the renowned TEACCH program in Chapel Hill, NC. Gary’s expertise was sought by figures as prominently as the King of Saudi Arabia and a top Russian official whose daughter was autistic.

Why does Don continue this mission with such heart?
“We do it because we can, and we do it because it’s right.” — Don

As for Connor, like many on the spectrum, he thrives on structure. When I asked for more poems to help shape his story into a book, he promised one a day. True to his word, he delivered—day after day.

Because with the right encouragement, people rise. And with the right support, voices long unheard begin to sing.

AMAZON

AMAZON

https://www.learningcentered.org

https://www.alignable.com/potsdam-ny/institute-for-learning-centered-education-autism-initiative

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24-27. Gift of Being Different

July 1, 2024July 1, 2024Sara Troy

Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from July 2nd

I just finished watching a show on Netflix called Sweet Tooth. It’s about all children being born as hybrids—half animal, half human—and a sickness that’s killing all humans. Watching this show, which emphasizes that being different is not a curse but a gift, made me reflect on the differences in our children today. Some are differently-abled, like those with Autism or Down Syndrome, or they might be Indigo children with exceptional talents and understanding beyond their years. It made me realize that we, as human beings, need to change and evolve into a higher consciousness—or risk being left behind.

Why do we fear those who are different? Why do we lose ourselves trying to be the same as everyone else, when we need to embrace the uniqueness of our own being?
The mindless following and comparing ourselves to everyone else, wanting to be like everyone else instead of embracing who we really are, is what’s causing the human sickness today.

When we realize our own beautiful uniqueness and gifts, despite our differences, we truly understand life in a better way. If we are still so hung up on color, sex, money, power, and greed, we will never grow and will forever be stuck in a cycle of lack and insecurities.

Let us learn before it is too late for the human race. If we continue like this, we will decline and be replaced, when we could be so much more in a higher elevation of wise consciousness and loving kindness.

The wisdom from the universe is begging us to grow up and step into our spiritual compassion, kindness, awareness, consideration, collaboration, and love. If we do not, we are doomed.

It is ultimately our choice, but I choose to rise up, not spiral down.

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C22-18 Dreama and Bob “Gilligan” Denver & Autism

May 2, 2022May 2, 2023Self Discovery Wisdom Podcast

Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest Dreama Denver, on air from May 3rd

Dreama Denver: is the wife of late classic TV icon Bob “Gilligan” Denver and the award-winning author of ‘Gilligan’s Dreams’ who has single-handedly carried on her husband’s legacy since his passing. The Denver Foundation is a non-profit foundation started by Bob and Dreama in honor of their severely autistic son, Colin. They understood firsthand in an up-close-and-personal way exactly what families face when presented with the challenge of caring for a family member with special needs. Today, the Denver Foundation assists special needs individuals in West Virginia. Under Dreama’s tutelage, its mission has expanded to include West Virginia’s Always Free Honor Flight, which recognizes the sacrifices of our veterans with free trips to Washington, DC, to see the memorials built to honor their service.

Actress, writer, radio station owner, and personality Dreama Denver met her husband of almost 30 years, television icon Bob Denver (Gilligan of Gilligan’s Island, Maynard G. Krebs of Dobie Gillis), when she was cast as his love interest in the Woody Allen play, “Play It Again, Sam”. After marrying the popular television personality, Dreama continued her acting career, appearing in a Gilligan’s Island reunion movie with Bob, co-starring with him in a TV pilot titled “Scamps” and touring the U.S. and Canada successfully and happily with her husband for over a decade.

https://soundcloud.com/plv-radio/c22-18-dreama-and-bob-gilligan-denver-autism?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

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The birth of Denver’s son Colin, diagnosed with severe autism, changed everything for Bob and Dreama, who retired from show business and moved back to West Virginia to devote the next two decades to Colin’s full-time care. During this time, the pair also founded The Denver Foundation, which honors their son and is dedicated to assisting special needs children and their families.

“The Denver Foundation and Little Buddy Radio, a nonprofit radio station owned and operated by the Foundation, were Bob’s last and most important legacies,” Dreama says, “and making these two entities as successful as possible became my mission after Bob passed away. His desire to give back to West Virginia was huge. He loved this area, considered himself an adopted West Virginian and was a tireless ambassador for the state. Regardless of how important and far-reaching his television legacy was, and is, his love for our son and his desire to help other families like ours trumped even that.”

Since Bob’s death in 2005, Dreama has discovered new passions and new directions in which to take the foundation. Founding Always Free Honor Flight, WV’s first Honor Flight program, honoring WV veterans with free trips to Washington, DC to visit the memorials built to honor their service is especially close to Dreama’s heart, as is the Denver Foundation’s Always Free Walk of Honor, installed and dedicated as a poignant addition to the War Memorial and Museum in Princeton.

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www.BobDenver.com

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VG20-32 Veteran Chris Greenfield & Coffee, Autism, and Marketing

August 3, 2020April 6, 2024Self Discovery Wisdom Podcast

Our Global Veterans with Sara Troy and her guest Chris Greenfield, on air from August 4th

Chris is a Veteran of 14 years, navigating a new life and having to redirect because of Autism, Covid, and other life redirects, but finding his way using his adaptable skills.

I love a good coffee, but knowing that the coffee been makers are being supported and in how so many benefit, really give power to a cup of good coffee.

We, at Roaster’s Marketplace, believe that coffee is an experience meant to be shared. We are happy to introduce you to your local roasters.

Enjoy the connection. Enjoy the experience. Enjoy your coffee.

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Our founder and the visionary behind Roaster’s Marketplace, Chris is a 13-year Veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in many roles. From being a Team leader and Squad leader through multiple combat deployments to training new Soldiers as a Basic Training Drill Sergeant. Chris left the service int 2013 to pursue a family and college education. He graduated with Honors from Sam Houston State University in December of 2016. Since then Chris has built experience in social media management, web design, logistics, and launched multiple successful marketing campaigns in a variety of industries. He also is a published writer and photographer with articles in several nationally published lifestyle magazines. In between all of this he spends most of his time caring for two small children, cooking delicious meals, and brewing coffee.

roastersmarketplace.com/common-grounds-podcast

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https://palletcoffeeroasters.com

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18-17 Ask Sara’s View on….Autism, Self-Actualization and Meditation

April 22, 2018May 1, 2018Self Discovery Wisdom Podcast

Sara Troy on Sara’s View of Life, on air from April 24th

Tami Aronowitz Goldstein asked me to speak to the increase in autism!! Having done many shows on it, I feel that in many ways children with Autism are here to teach us in how to connect and communicate on a different frequency. There is nothing wrong with them, they see, feel and know life differently to us, but when we choose to change our channel to their frequency, we learn so much about them and our selves.

Lance A Davis How about the lack of society’s ability to reach self-actualization. I feel we are doing it, slowly. Some are stepping into their own self-actualization and awakening to a higher consciousness. Just the fact we are speaking of it shows us how many are being switched on even though they may not fully realize what it means to them just yet. It is a choice, and with that choice comes the responsibility to act on that awakening and understand what it means to themselves and their global contribution to humanity.

Duane Light Meditation compared to Contemplation. I contemplate on what I learn from my meditation. Foor me it is not going deep into my self, but ascending to a higher plane when I find my knowingness, that is when I then contemplate what this knowingness is for. I feel the breath in all forms of meditation is key, for it that breathe we open up to the knowledge we are needing in the now. Contemplating on a thought and meditating on it can give understanding through that channelling of what it means.