Hello from Kentucky

From the website for Burns Middle School in Owensboro, Kentucky where I am speaking today to 830 students.

Burns Middle School is participating in a school-wide literacy program in which all students and staff read the same book at the same time each day.This year’s book, Rules, by Cynthia Lord was chosen by a committee of students, teachers and parents. The book explores the themes of friendship, honesty, and acceptance and diversity while helping the students gain greater understanding of autism.
As a service project, our students will be raising money for the Michala Riggle Beat Autism Foundation, whose mission is to raise funds to build a comprehensive autism research and treatment facility in Louisville, Kentucky.  The Burns Middle School Spirit Club will be “Beading to Beat Autism,” a project in which they will be making beaded bracelets in school colors to sell to our students. In addition, half of the proceeds from the Burns Middle Lady Foxes Basketball game at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 will be donated to the foundation.
 

As a mom of a son with autism, this really moves me.  This foundation was started by a 12-year-old girl who has a brother with autism.  She started making and selling bracelets to raise money for autism.  Her story is here.  

I haven't even met the kids at Burns Middle School, but I'm already really proud of them. When I checked into my hotel, there was a basket of Kentucky goodies, and a bracelet for me, too.

I already have it on.