The View from a Summit »
As I contemplate how far we've climbed –now starting to peek out of the Son-Rise greenhouse, Kiki asks me about Team Joaquin, why they came to his life.
team joaquin
Our in home child-centered play therapy program attracted 11 volunteers who let me train them, and stretch their minds, to help an autistic child learn every skill he needed to thrive. They gave us their love, energy, and dedication, building me as an empowered teacher and better therapist for my son, while allowing the process to expand them in return. We are eternally grateful to each of these extraordinary women who joined our project, and changed our lives.
The Best of 2013 »
A video celebrating our favorite moments, people, and places from 2013
Moments at the Magic Room »
Moments of love between Joaquin and his friends in the Son-Rise playroom.
A rock-star volunteer’s 1st playroom session »
It looks like they’ve been friends for a while and she’s facilitated social goals for years. But it’s Erin’s first solo session and she’s only had 1 hour of feedback training!
Our Journey (part 3) »
A celebration of love three years into our Son-Rise program. Watch our amazing Team Joaquin and the miracles and joy they’ve helped us reach for our child.
Spontaneous Gorgeous Symbolic Gestures »
Watching this was so exciting!… Even to Heidi, who at the time didn’t know much about the gestures goal… It’s been just two weeks of very subtle “work” giving Joaquin’s brain little pieces to figure out symbolic gestures, and today he spontaneously gestures “move the couch down”, then creates another gesture reproducing with his hands […]
Becoming a Teacher »
I’m currently discovering the natural talents of our new friend Megane… Acting on feedback I gave on her last play session with Joaquin (i.e. offer more actions vs. questions or “I don’t know” responses), for her second session she went with the intention to go 100% for whatever idea comes to her head. And I’m […]
Amazing Melissa »
A fun moment playing with Melissa, Joaquin’s friend and one of our Son-Rise program volunteers.
The Blind Box »
A game designed to help Kiki have fun interacting with a new friend on her first day in our playroom.
Our Journey (part 2) »
This inspiring video documents the last 12 months in Joaquin’s son-rise Program. It’s a celebration of our journey, Joaquin’s growth, and our team of volunteers.
A testimonial from a Son-Rise Volunteer »
This story confirms the guidance I once got: I was not alone teaching my volunteers. People went into our playroom and something else touched and expanded them.
Loving Joaquin. Loving Ourselves. Loving All »
Excited and inspired as I see how the intention to live love, choice, trust, self-awareness, and happiness in our personal life, is taking over Joaquin’s Son-Rise program and infecting my life and that of my team members.
Friend Eliza »
Over the last month before turning three years old, Joaquin started writing numbers, drawing their outlines, spelling words and writing some, all by himself. His memory is amazing. His focus, passion, and control when drawing and writing is (I believe) extraordinary. All signs of a beautiful mind at work. And, as exciting and reassuring as […]
Our Journey (so far) »
In celebration of our child and us, and the parents and volunteers working every day in son-rise playrooms, watch and feel the miracles seven months into our program.
Meeting Strangers »
Last weekend we enjoyed the company of Katrina Kramlich, a lovely and experienced Son-Rise child facilitator who came to our home to play with Joaquin in his romper room. The experience was absolutely wonderful, especially because the universe conspired to fit everything in such a perfect way, that Eliza (our first volunteer), had a chance […]
All in motion »
In preparation for my coming trip back to Massachusetts to attend an advanced Son-Rise course, last week I had to fill out a long survey reporting all kinds of details about Joaquin’s current state. The survey was exactly the same I took back in May, just a few weeks after having become aware of Joaquin’s […]
Blind but Trusting »
I’ve just received my rental car for the week. After placing my bag in the trunk and contemplating all the little ways how this cheap rental is not as nice as our family car, I pull out the map package I’ve printed earlier charting the route to the Option Institute. The number of steps is […]