I am excited and honored to be going to tomorrow night's Autism Speaks Blue Tie-Blue Jean Ball. Among the VIP’s scheduled to appear are Sinbad, Toni Braxton, Brooke White, Gene Simmons, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, Tommy Lee, Holly Robinson Peete, Paul Marciano, Mark Paul Gosselaar, Wayne Brady, Ed Asner, Alyssa Milano, Brian J. White, Max Burkholder, and cast members from GLEE, among many others. So many of those are personally touched by autism.
I am even more excited to see another autism-mom that I know, Gina Kilberg. Almost five years ago, when we were first starting our autism "journey," we went to an amazing speech therapist, Roberta. At that time, all I knew was that my baby boy was not even attempting to speak. He was not yet two years old, the doctors did not even think it was autism at that point, "So bring him to speech therapy, if you want."
We did, and Roberta was amazing! She will forever have a place in my heart, not just for speech therapy, it was still years before Charlie would speak, but for her support, her knowledge, her kindness, her concern and empathy. From there, somehow gingerly, Roberta kindly suggested, "Go see this OT (occupational therapist)," and "I think it wouldn't hurt for you to get on the wait list for this developmental pediatrician." Then, with time, "Have you considered Behavioral Therapy?" Her many prompts and suggestions were made with such delicate kindness that I can look back and be so thankful. Roberta would also make sure that all of us parents knew we were not alone, and so she arranged an evening coffee with a few mothers. It was nice to go around a table and hear from other moms who totally "got" what we each were going through. One of those moms at that coffee was Gina. And being with Roberta, or just being in this community, we share many of the same "Team Members" for our boys, from therapists to advocates. I am so excited for those amazing individuals to be highlighted and recognized tomorrow night!
Here is what Variety Magazine had to say about this event...
"There's no shortage of high-profile fundraising gatherings for worthy causes at this time of year. But the Los Angeles chapter of Autism Speaks is determined to make a permanent addition to the winter charity event calendar starting with the inaugural Blue Tie-Blue Jean Ball, set for Dec. 1 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood.
Event will feature musical perfs by Sarah McLachlan and others. It will also honor rock photog Rob Shanahan and his newly released book, "Volume 1."
The ball is the brainchild of Gina Kilberg, senior veep of international media at Sony Pictures, whose 7-year-old son, Lucas, suffers from autism spectrum disorder. "Advocacy for him and too many kids like him has become a very important part of our fight to get him through this," she said.
Kilberg and other industry insiders quickly set their sights on producing an event with a more of a fun-factor and relaxed atmosphere than the typical hotel ballroom dinner. The blue theme is keeping with the color associated with Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy org.
Sarah McLachlan will perform at the first Blue Tie-Blue Jean Ball at the House of Blues.
Incorporating music into the evening was important as so many kids on the autism spectrum who struggle with verbal skills have such a powerful emotional response to music. Shanahan's connections helped the organizers enlist McLachlan and other surprise guests.
"We wanted to do something that would move people and get their attention but do it in a really fun, accessible way," Kilberg says. "We really want to be one of those tentpole events where people go not because they feel obligated but because they're really looking forward to it, and because it's clearly doing a lot of good for a lot of kids who need it."
Other bizzers involved with the event are CAA's Dave Bugliari and Andrea Lee Greenburg, a major fund-raiser for Autism Speaks along with her husband, WME's Ari Greenburg."
Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com
Autism Speaks is the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. With your support and the help of others, we can unravel the mysteries of autism. For more information visit http://www.autismspeaks.org.
General admission tickets are $200 and include open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Live auction to include unique themed items that cannot be found anywhere else. All proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. For additional details, visit http://events.autismspeaks.org/bluetie.
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