Imagine the world as one big interlocking jigsaw puzzle and everyone... you, your family, friends, acquaintances... are the pieces that are all fit together into that one big glorious picture that we call life. Now imagine that as life goes on and nearly all the pieces come together, there is one piece that does not seem to fit anywhere. It looks like the other ones, but no matter how you turn it, it does not seem to fit in anywhere.
And then consider that this is more then just a piece, this is really a person... a person disconnected from the other pieces... the other people that make up his world, his life. If you can imagine that, then perhaps you can better understand what it means to be Adam... that disconnected piece in the puzzle of life... a child with Autism. Adam’s World... A World Shared, but a Life that is Worlds Apart.
A co-founder of the Elliot Institute for Children with Autism, Leslie Watkins... a teacher, behaviorist, mentor... a wonderful human being was willing to reach into the world of her students... her kids... because she knew full well that it was unreasonable to expect them to climb out of theirs.
Leslie saw opportunity where others saw hopelessness. She worked to bring these marvelous children into the world... into our world... and brought magic into their lives through the music, dance and life performances.
And reaching beyond the confines of classroom, she had a dream to build a home, a large estate in a natural setting, where her kids, these children isolated by autism, could live together in a family managed atmosphere and evolve beyond the limited expectations that have been in place and held as absolute for so long. A place that would promote personal growth and encourage independence among the residents.
A teacher lost to the winds of change
You held their hands
You shaped their minds
You cut their hair
You molded their hearts
A wonderful person and a wonderful story. But, as so often occurs in life, Adam’s beloved teacher and her tireless efforts burned out all too quickly. Leslie Watkins, age 43, died suddenly and unexpectedly... and, unfortunately, so did the magic for Adam and all the rest of her students. And as Leslie died, so too died her dream of a special innovative home for “her kids”... or so everyone thought.
Leslie’s dream did not die
Adam’s Fund for Autism was conceived as a means to bring financial aid to the autistic community and to fulfill Leslie’s heart-felt dream of a family managed home for autistic children... what we are now calling ADAM’s RANCH.
In November 18th and 19th, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, there were two nights of Tango Show. World renowned Broadway Stars will perform the Argentine Tango in the The Premiere Benefit Event “El Corazon del Tango: There were nights of spectacular music, incredible dance and many surprise guests. And all net proceeds will go towards the betterment of the lives of the autistic members of our community.
Dance into Unity
Autism is one of the most painful reflections of the isolation of a human being in our society.
Tango Dance is one of the most powerful vehicles to bridge the separation and unify human beings...
Tango is a language of its own. It is a dance that combines elements of many nations... where music... experiences... life... are melted together making it A Dance of Unity...
It is said that at the heart of the Argentine Tango lies the longing for a connection with another human being... So does in the heart of the autistic boy like Adam.
The two nights of Argentine Tango united many people of many different backgrounds which joined together to show their support so the home, ADAM’s RANCH will be build.
And wel all witnessed how Adam, this boy... that disconnected piece in the puzzle of life... a child with autism, finally found his place in this puzzle, connecting for a worthy cause those of us that were disconnected before... so we all can Dance into Unity.
