We interrupt this Clay Aiken blog for a special message.
Hello world. My name is Piper Adele and I have not yet entered this world - I'm still growing. At this point, no one knows my future - if I will be born as a typically developing child or a child with special needs. My hope is, however I am born, that I am born into a world that is caring and accepting of all people, regardless of their abilities.
This is why I'm reaching out from the womb and asking you to please vote for I Am Norm during the month of September in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge.
We are united in our commitment to a world where people of various abilities have equal opportunities. We believe that diversity makes us stronger and that discrimination breaks us down. We know that hatred is a learned behavior and that we can all strive to rise above fear and prejudice. We understand firsthand what we gain when everyone is included in our schools and our communities and how much we lose when anyone is left out. If you want to join us, click here
One of the best things about being a fan of Clay Aiken is that I am constantly learning about new organizations that are out there doing great work. During the month of October, we are working hard to win a $50,000 grant for the National Inclusion Project from Pepsi in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge.
Helping us along are some amazing organizations, all new to me, and all working toward a single goal - making the lives children - and cats - better:
Cal Ripkin, Sr. Foundation, founded by Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripkin to honor their dad, Cal Sr. Per the Pepsi Refresh site, "The Cal Ripkin, Sr. Foundation helps build character and teach critical life lessons to underserved young people living in America's most distressed communities through baseball and softball themed programs". You can learn more about this great organization here Cal Ripkin, Sr. Foundation Website
Rett Syndrome Clinics, Oakland Children's Hospital and Cardinal Glennon are working to give girls with Rett syndrome a voice. Rett Syndrome is a neurological disorder affecting mostly girls. Children with Rett Syndrome often exhibit autistic-like behaviors, such as repetitive hand movements, prolonged toe walking, body rocking and sleep problems. There is currently no cure for Rett Syndrome. You can find out more about Katie's Clinic here and more about Rett Syndrome here
Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc., is working to answer the needs of rescue and sanctuary of blind cats deemed unadoptable and killed in regular shelter environments. They are now looking to expand their rescue to provide sanctuary to FEL/FIV+ cats. You can learn more about the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary here
Children's Rare Disease Network is an advocacy organization that provides resources for families affected by rare diseases. They strive to build collaborative programs, including advocacy, information and education, that will impact the entire community of over 100 million individuals impacted by rare diseases. You can learn more about Children's Rare Disease Network here
Brendan B. McGinnis Congenital CMV Foundation was founded by Brendan's mom in order to raise awareness about the leading cause of of childhood disabilities, cytomegalovirus or congenital CMV. Did you know that every hour a child is disabled by CMV? Did you know that CMV can cause death, seizures, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, deafness and blindness? Want to learn more? You can learn more about the Brendan B. McGinnis Congenital CMV Foundation here The Center for Courageous Kids is a world class medical camp that provides year round, cost free camping experiences for seriously ill and disabled children and their families. Find out more about The Center for Courageous Kids here
1p36 Deletion Support & Awareness. 1p36 Deletion Syndrome is a newly discovered genetic syndrome that affects 1 in 5,000-10,000 births. Unfortunately, many medical professionals have never heard of this Syndrome and can go undiagnosed for several years. Their mission is to assist individuals affected by chromosome 1p36 abnormalities and also provide both support and education to their families and increasing the awareness of chromosome 1p36 abnormalities in the public and the medical community. You can learn more about 1p36 Deletion Support & Awareness here
ARC of Madison County is an advocacy group and a resource for people with various disabilities. Per their Pepsi Refresh Page, "The Madison County Community has come together to help build a Handicap Accessible Playground. This playground would be built at Lake Reba Park and would be an inclusive place "Where All Kids Can Play Together."" To learn more about The Arc please visit here
The National Inclusion Project serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with disabilities and the world around them. To learn more about National Inclusion Project please visit here and I highly recommend you watch this too
"The Event kicks off with Brunch and a Golf Clinic conducted by a PGAprofessional, followed by a round of golf on Mirasol’s exclusive Sunset course. The golf tournament will be a scramble format and include contests and prizes including hole-in-one opportunities. Immediately after golf, an Awards Reception will be held to recognize the winners of golf competitions and team placement. The Event concludes with dinner including a live and silent auction and entertainment with a performance by Clay Aiken."
"Clay Aiken has released five successful albums and launched eight well-received tours. In October 2003, he launched his first solo album Measure of a Man. The record sold 3 million copies and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. With 613,000 copies sold in the first week, it was the highest selling first album for a solo artist in ten years, going double-platinum and netting Aiken an American Music Award.
In 2004, Aiken released Merry Christmas with Love (2004), the fastest selling Christmas album in Nielsen Soundscan history. He followed that success with A Thousand Different Ways (2006), All is Well (2006), and On My Way Here (2008). Notably, Aiken earned the distinction of being only the eighth artist to ever have his first four albums debut in the Billboard Top 5. In 2004, Aiken wrote a best-selling memoir. Readers and critics embraced his style and his message in Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, making the book an instant New York Times best seller. Most recently Aiken has signed with Universal Decca records and is planning on the release of his sixth album in early 2010."
Clay Aiken sure knows how to put on a great gala!! I was fortunate to attend the National Inclusion Project's 2009 Champions Gala on October 17, 2009.
The National Inclusion Project was co-founded by Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel in 2003. Most impressive to me was how much the foundation has grown in the past six years. Amazing, when you consider that what started out as a project for College credit has grown into a leader in its field.
It's just too much to type out, so here are some of the highlights from Diane Bubel's speech:
Camp Shriver was started by the University of Massachusetts and named after Eunice Shriver, a pioneer in disability advocacy, and one of the most respected organizations in their field. The director of Camp Shriver has called the Let's All Play curriculum "genius" and has led the charge to have Camp Shriver revamp their program. They now operate under the Project's Let's All Play Model
In all honesty, there are too many high points to even begin to put them all into words - so I tried to consolidate them into a video. Hope you enjoy.
It's been almost a week since the Clay Aiken fans stopped voting on the TweeterHell, er, TweeterWall World Idol Poll. Clay's fans came together en masse for one last American Idol poll, and we went out in style. I am so very proud of the Clay Nation!!!!
Clay Aiken has moved beyond American Idol and it's time for the fans to do the same. Time to look forward, and not back. So, good bye to American Idol, good bye to RCA/19eieio. We had quite an interesting time with you, but now we're looking forward to what Decca has to offer the incredible talent that is Clay Aiken.
Here is my homage to the past. Clay Aiken has risen from the Ashes
and to celebrate our new beginning? Vote for National Inclusion Project to win $10,000 from Christie Cookie Company!!!
Clay Aiken has announced the new name for the foundation he co-founded with Diane Bubel(photo from the National Inclusion Project website).
In an open letter from both Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel they state in part:
"The Bubel/Aiken Foundation grew out of the relationship between the two of us and Diane’s son, Mike, a 13 year old with autism. The bond between us grew strong as we shared a vision of a world where children like Mike could be fully immersed in society. We had both witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities opened to typical children. We met while Clay was pursuing a degree in special education at UNC-Charlotte. As part of that pursuit, Clay completed an independent study project where he created a foundation that focused on providing the support system for recreational and educational programs around the country to open doors to children with disabilities that had thus far remained closed. We realized that an organized effort could encourage and facilitate community inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities. This shared goal grew into reality on July 28, 2003 when we officially announced the creation of The Bubel/Aiken Foundation."
Per National Inclusion Project's site, in six years, the Foundation has worked with hundreds of programs, trained numerous staff members and leaders, and provided inclusive opportunities for over 20,000 children. For more information, please visit:
