Seeking help to find an overnight facility!

Dear Friends, August 27, 2007

I am so excited to let you all know that I will be holding the first ever Rawtism Retreat, September 26 - 28, 2008 for children and families impacted by autism. This retreat is designed to offer support and to help unlock each child’s individual potential.

I am writing to you to ask for your help in finding a retreat location. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or resources to help secure the perfect home for this retreat and future Rawtism events. It must be fun, family-friendly, and have overnight facilities and good kitchen space.

This retreat is an amazing opportunity for children and families. I have a son with autism. It has not always been an easy road. I have researched more than most graduate students at this point. I know that there is a strong correlation between diet and behavior for these children. I also know that these parents seem to NEVER catch a break. I want the Rawtism Retreats and Events to be that break for these parents. But in doing so, I also want to educate others that there is a better way to treat autism. A gluten-free, casein-free diet helps; a raw and living foods diet can explode the potential for these children. I do not think these kids are here by accident. I think they are here for us to learn. I just want to help parents unlock their child’s individual potential and understand the healing power of a raw and living foods program.

I am looking for an overnight facility. If any of you have ideas for the location, please contact me at rawtism@yahoo.com, or call (770) 344-9689. Thank you all so much for your assistance with this! I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Boatright

Sunshine - that is wonderful. You'll find just the right place, I just know it. I feel it! Good luck!
(((hugs))) for all you do - you RAWK girl!!!

Thanks Lucy!:D You're pretty snazzy yourself ya know!:D

Bumping up! You mean to tell me, with all of you wonderful rawbies on here, that none of ya'll can think of a suitable facility? This is for such a wonderful cause. So please, if you think of ANYWHERE, let me know!:D

Sunshine,

What part of the country are you hoping to hold this? How many people do you anticipate attending? Do you have a ballpark budget or do you need a donated facility? Maybe with more info, you will get just what you are seeking. What a great thing to plan and implement--my best wishes to you.

Kathy

Kathy - Right now, I am just researching the locations. Cheaper would be better, to help keep the costs down. However, right now I'm open to anything. That's why I need to find the location. So that we will know how big/small it can be and how the prices and such will be. Conveniently located near an airport is good!:D Local to me (Georgia) would be great, but it doesn't have to be. I'm flexible like that!;)

Sunshine,

I work for a non-profit and handle events so costs are always a consideration. Many times facilities will work with you and reduce their fees when they know what the even is for (providing educational, community service, etc.). I've worked with colleges (who often have large meeting rooms), convention centers, larger hotels (often have large meeting rooms and will sometimes reduce room rates for blocks of rooms).

If they say no, I ask for a referral of someone else they may know who could assist. (Have gotten some very good contacts that way).

As I'm on the opposite side of the country, do not know what is closest to you. Hope some of this is helpful. Figure the success Mother Theresa had in asking for a good cause, people really do step in and assist more often than you'd think.

My best wishes are with you in finding the perfect location.
Hope you find some of this a little helpful.

Kathy

Kathy - Thank you so much for that information!:D I'm not one to take a no lying down anyway.:D I appreciate all your insight!:D

Shine 72, I think you are totally right! I think many cases of child behavioral issues is about environment and what you put in your child's mouth!
My son is a normal kid but he used to be really "hyper" distracted easily, never listen and it was very exhausting. I found it more so with him than any of the children he played with. He isn't autistic but even children who are ADD or ADHD, some parents are very quick to medicate their child and I am always "Eeeep!" Because in my heart I know that even 15% of the issue can be corrected in most cases with a better diet. So that is what I did with my son and he is 50% better and 50% a normal rambunctious child. He eats more fruits and vegetables than he has ever in his entire life! He eats little sugar and I avoid giving him anything stimulating such as chocolate ( He is not 100% raw )
I think your program is wonderful. It's hard to feed your child healthy food because kids are picky and making food from scratch isn't convent but a child deserves it.

Trinity - My oldest was undiagnosed ADHD, but "had" it nonetheless. Guess what, he is 100% raw and FINE now! No symptoms! Just your average, yet brilliant kid! Thanks for posting! I'm so glad what you're doing is working for you kid!:D