Genevieve’s Dream: The Carousel Challenge Plans Vegas Event

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The Las Vegas Circus Circus Autism Awareness Challenge:

How’s it going to happen was a question asked – “build it and they will come” was the response. Of course that’s an old saying with roots to either a Kevin Costner movie or the hippies depending on who you’re talking to – but it makes sense when looking at creating awareness events for something so unique as this. Where we do start and who’s going to step in and help this cause out? That’s the huge question both Gens mom and I had as the thought to create something to satisfy Genevieve’s Dream began – never did mom expect Daddy to build a website and create a non-profit! But, raising awareness in regards to life with kids like our Genevieve and funding for the return of the Santa Barbara carousel I knew wasn’t going to be easy. It’s going to take a village – it’s going to take people from all walks of life. From artists to musicians to your everyday people who are willing to go take a ride on a carousel or share a photo of a memory. People helping people changes the face of our world – it’s a beautiful site to see and gives us all a very intense feeling when we exercise kindness. What it’s really going to take to make this happen is those with a following to lead the way. We can all create change in the world we live in – it’s a matter of taking the time and making the effort – and for Genevieve and kids like her it’s so worth it. For that reason, we decided to take a family trip to Vegas to see our grandson while I’m speaking at a few events there. Then we thought ‘why not go for a ride at Circus Circus’ and soon phone calls were being made and the Las Vegas Medical Marijuana Association, a professional group, accepted ‘the carousel challenge’! Eventually, our hope is that one group will challenge another and go on carousel rides for this cause – just to bring attention to it. Since we’re now officially a non-profit the fund-raising part isn’t the number one goal – instead, we just want to get the carousel parties started! Below is a photo from a recent trip to the Ventura, Ca. carousel. She was so happy there even though she couldn’t get on the horses and animals due to lack of safety equipment. One of the missions of Carousel Challenge, Inc. (Gen’s the Vice President!) is to supply existing carousels with safety equipment in exchange for a few free rides for any disabled child and caregiver that goes on them – a win/win!

It was so awesome to go to the Ventura Carousel but it was also a little sad as we really hoped to talk to others that we’re riding but nobody was there. That’s when the idea came up to actually take Genevieve on other rides in other locations – even though neither of us drives and it’s not simple to transport Genbug, especially on the train or bus. So the decision was made to go on the Circus Circus ride as a good friend offered to drive us to Las Vegas and back – and with a comfortable place for the girls to stay there things started coming together. Keep in mind this all was brought up less than a week ago so planning hasn’t been exactly well-organized, to say the least! But, it’s coming together as people in the Vegas area associated with both Autism and Medicinal Cannabis are stepping up to help organize what should be one fun event in which as many people possible go for carousel rides and talk it up to the crowd – we need to infect the public with positivism and show the world how kids like Genevieve matter. The fact she’s done this well with plant-based medicine and made her way off of pharmaceuticals is intense – but it’s not the star of the show in this case – she is and all other kids like her. So often people think that Genevieve doesn’t understand what’s going on around her – and they’re so wrong. She knows this challenge exists, is fully aware of dad’s plans to get a ride back in town, and will respond both in gesture and verbally to questions about it. “She’s nonverbal” doctors will say – I scoff at that! The challenges of parenting children with Autism are generally only known by parents of kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – but there are many that want to know more and are fascinated by alternative treatment methods like Genevieve. Roughly 30% of kids with Autism also have a seizure disorder or Epilepsy – Genevieve is one of them. As well, roughly 30% of all people with seizure disorders or Epilepsy will not respond to traditional medications that stop the seizures. Both Genevieve and I fall into that category but have found a life that’s more than manageable thanks to the plant’s extracts.

Many in the world of Medicinal Cannabis have read the Cannabis Love Story – but a vast majority outside of having yet to – it’s the foundation of our family. As much as we’d like to have this challenge focused solely on carousels and kids – there’s no way to get away from the fact that Cannabinoid Medicine made this all happen. Our lives merged into one family 3 years ago based on compassion and love – and that’s what this whole thing is all about – showing love for kids like Genbug all over the nation and world. As people become more aware that our children are people too and deserve to have fun in public just like any other would, it’s our belief that the care and love shown by those involved will infect people across the lands and spread an addictive willingness to help another out – something we all need to see more of. Genevieve’s love has a special kind of grip on me – and I’ve witnessed this happen to countless others that have crossed her path. Our kids are special in that they don’t ‘need’ every last item on the earth like others do or want (we have a couple of those too!) – so having them called ‘special needs’ doesn’t really make sense. It’s more like a very special kid that needs to get what’s necessary instead of wanted. Some would argue that a carousel back in Santa Barbara isn’t necessary – but they haven’t lived even one night with us as Genevieve dreams continuously of being on ‘her ride’. She vocalized so much when she’s on carousels and will never forget the one that was removed from the Chase Palm Park here nearly 2 years ago. To her, those are her horses and that’s her ride – forever in her mind. She asks for so little in life – food, and iPads – and with the knowledge that this challenge is beyond a grandiose plan, it’s still the right thing to do!

I know it’s a dream – maybe some would call it a fantasy. But, I envision seeing people swarm carousel rides and challenging their friends and family to do the same. I see the Circus Circus carousel covered in smiling faces that came to support the cause – and happily did so knowing that they’re changing children’s lives. Call me crazy, insane, etc. – tell me I’ve lost my rockers and there’s no way this will happen. That’s not going to stop me… and at this point, it’s not going to stop us. We’ve become a legitimate non-profit in order to make sure our girl’s dream comes true and her nightmare of waking up to her ride gone is over as soon as possible – even if that takes years! If you’re in the Vegas area and would like to help out or participate please make contact with me by email – 50kreasons@gmail.com – we could seriously use your help!

We believe in miracles – and we believe that people will support what helps bring smiles to their faces. Without a doubt, this smile is worthy of giving my all to. Please check out the challenge website today and have your friends follow the @carouselchallenge Instagram page!

Thank you,