NAS blogs- Pig Pen

This is our first blog in ages...

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:14:00 +0000

PigPen January 12th 2010

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:43:00 +0000

Hello Everyone!

PigPen is next Tuesday the 12th January- it's going to be a good one! As usual, an amazing line up- see below- free comics and a rooftop BBQ. Check out this preview for Tim Ten Yen (performing) in LeCool magazine!

http://lecool.com/cities/london/newsletters/current.html

Macbeth pub, Hoxton, London from 7.30pm http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-macbeth-maps-12308.html

Tell all your friends!

Ben and Gabriel

Adults with autism need: a job when they can work; benefits when they can't;

and a government that leads the way. Take action at: www.autism.org.uk/dontwritemeoff

This message is from The National Autistic Society (NAS). The NAS randomly monitors the content of e-mail messages sent and received.
Any opinions contained in this message are those of the author and are not given or endorsed by the NAS unless the author is clearly stated to have authority to bind the charity, and this has been duly verified by e-mailing companysecretary@nas.org.uk
The NAS is a company limited by guarantee (No. 1205298) registered in England and also a charity registered in England and Wales (CR269425) and in Scotland (SC039427), its registered office being 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG.
www.autism.org.uk

Pig Pen- 12th Jan, Macbeth, Old Street, London from 7pm...

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:28:00 +0000

We hope everyone had a good Christmas and made use of our hints and tips. We had our Christmas party at Pig Pen in Old Street, London and would like to say a big thank you to all the artists that helped make it a great night.

Below is a link to our fave playlist from the night, some of which are free to download, but you will need to download and create a Spotify account to access; National Autistic Society - Pig Pen Playlist

The next Pig Pen will be held at The Macbeth, 70 Hoxton St, Old Street, London on January 12th, from 7pm for the first instalment of 2010. Entrance £5. Here is a link to a map of the venue; http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-macbeth-maps-12308.html

Happy New Year and here is a message from Pig Pen themselves about their next gig…

We're kicking off the year with another eclectic and excellent line-up!

Headlining! Electricity In Our Homes (EIOH)- they blew the crowd away at the last PigPen with their blend of edgy arty rock music! PigPen regular Tim Ten Yen, everyone's favourite singing indie pop salesman. Noise music from Trabant (formerly KayaKing)- if you haven't had the chance to check them out, these women are a real noise music force to be reckoned with! Then there's Bearcraft- electro meets English folk music. As well as this we have the PigPen Cabaret act, warming up the night featuring the poetic hilarity of Niall Spooner-Harvey plus resident Deejays Brian Turner and Lemon Mcwright spinning some great tunes to shake your ass to! Get yourselves to The Macbeth, Hoxton Street on January 12th, a great way to start off another year of live music and dancing!

PigPen is a music, performance and poetry night run by friends Ben and Gabriel. Ben's 28 and PA to Gabriel, 21. Gabriel is on the autism spectrum and non-verbal, he communicates with a Yes/No button communication device. Gabriel chooses the acts he likes from the internet using his Yes/No com device. Ben's an artist, Gabriel an autist! As well as putting on a diverse range of music, poetry and performance, we give out free comic books to all who part with their hard-earned cash to come to one of our nights. PigPen is about sharing the experience of putting on a club night with someone who has autism and is non-verbal and would otherwise have a very limited opportunity to be a ‘young person’. It’s about opening this experience to others like Gabriel on the autism spectrum and encouraging people to come together through music and live acts. We aim to make many connections, cross-cultural, cross- ability and most recently, cross-generational! (This is not a charity or fundraising event, purely about connecting). Think K-Records meets R.Crumb meets Autism meets 'The Kitchen' NY.

It's an eccentric night with an eccentric audience of artists, musicians, people on the autism spectrum and pub geezers. It's a strange and mysterious blend that somehow works and provides everyone with a real 'feel good', enjoyable night out! http://www.myspace.com/pigpen20

The Acts

Niall Spooner-Harvey - Poetry and host for the event.

NIALL SPOONER-HARVEY!! In his FIRST APPEARANCE IN POETRY COMPETITION EVER, Niall won the Farrago London Slam Championship, and in his THIRD, he won the Farrago UK London Slam championship. Since then he has performed with the likes of Ed Harcourt, Jamie T, Jack Penate, Jeremy Warmsley, Emmy the Great and Simon Mastrantone, and has appeared at Truck Festival, the End of the Road Festival and the Big Green Gathering. He is an over-educated, tweed-clad, well-spoken ASJDFADGASH member of the HKASGDBW middle-class SHAGDJHVNBE moral majority. Sometimes he writes about disability issues, sometimes he doesn't. His book, 'Only Not Walking' was released in July 2006 to reviews that made him really, really excited. http://www.myspace.com/spoonpoetry

Electricity in Our Homes- Edgy Art Rockers with a Pop slant!

http://www.myspace.com/electricityinourhomes

Tim Ten Yen - Indie Pop Sensation!

Tim Ten Yen recently released his debut album Everything Beautiful Reminds Me of You, described as ‘sweet, vulnerable and with its tongue firmly in its cheek’. A PigPen regular, PigPen just isn't PigPen without Tim Ten Yen!

http://www.timtenyen.com/

Trabant (formerely Kaya King) - Noise Musician, founder of the PigHole record label. Trabant is an avangarde noise, 2pieces girls' band playing drums and i-phone+chaosilator to create weird atmospheric noise.

http://www.myspace.com/kayakathethird

http://www.myspace.com/kayakingg

Bearcraft - Spectral synths and electro beats with pagan, scientific, philosophical and English folk themes. Bearcraft is the latest project from singer/musician/programmer/songwriter Dicky Moore. and combines spectral synths and electro beats with pagan, scientific, philosophical and English folk themes. Dicky Moore has already held great company in the international music scene after touring the UK, north America and Japan with Scritti Politti, as well as performing with that band at the 2006 Mercury Music Prize ceremony. http://www.myspace.com/bearcraftmusic

PigPen Cabaret - A mad collection of short and entertaining acts from the PigPen team and friends! Guaranteed to get the party started!

DJ's

DJ Brian Turner- Of Good Grief and How Does It Feel...fame, spinning vinyl from 60's post-punk and indie pop.

DJ Lemon Mcwright- Fresh out of Paris young Dj Lemon McWright will play a various range tunes from Deep House to Disco with a bit of soul and funk in the middle!

PigPen - November 9th!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:49:00 +0000

PigPen- 9th November!

Tell all your mates!

After the amazing success of PigPen at The Macbeth last May and July- we are pleased to announce another PigPen night at The Macbeth on Monday 9th November! This time we are working in collaboration with 'Club Attitude' from Attitude is Everything!

Attitude is Everything have been working with us to improve Deaf and disabled people's access to PigPen with us at PigPen and the venue- The Macbeth and by providing sign language interpreters on the night.

This month- PigPen takes on a rather arty tone- headlining, we have a really exciting band called 'Electricity in Our Homes' (EIOH), edgy art rock with a pop edge! We also have another act new to PigPen- Yaaard, minimalist, trance beats from Bournemouth.

Then we have our PigPen regulars- Tim Ten Yen, a joy to behold for those of you who haven't experienced his pop magic and lyrical genius. Kaya King, who blew away the crowd with their experimental noise music collaboration back in May and July and Niall Spooner-Harvey, compere, poet and all-round funny, witty, surreal guy.

Finally, we have just announced a really exciting new group, The Honkyfinger Power Trio! - they're bound to blow the crowd away with their energetic, crazy, elecro blues!

As usual, resident DJ Brian Turner spins his blend of post punk, indie pop and 60's soul on the decks and of course and we have exciting new DJ talent FRESH FROM PARIS- Dj Lemon Mcwright ... AS WELL AS ALL THIS, FREE COMICS FOR ALL!

Okay, so Monday's a crap day but we got a great and full line-up of top quality acts, great DJ's, free comics and a roof-top BBQ. It's well worth a hang over at work on Tuesdayy!

Hope to see you there,

Ben and Gabriel and the rest of the PigPen team xx

As well as putting on a diverse range of music, poetry and performance, we give out free comic books to all who part with their hard-earned cash to come to one of our nights.

PigPen is about sharing the experience of putting on a club night with someone who has autism and is non-verbal and would otherwise have a very limited opportunity to be a ‘young person’. It’s about opening this experience to others like Gabriel on the autism spectrum and encouraging people to come together through music and live acts. We aim to make many connections, cross-cultural, cross- ability and most recently, cross-generational! (This is not a charity or fundraising event, purely about connecting)

Think K-Records meets R.Crumb meets Autism meets 'The Kitchen' NY.

http://www.myspace.com/pigpen20

The Acts

Niall Spooner-Harvey - Poetry and host for the event.

http://www.myspace.com/spoonpoetry

Electricity in Our Homes - Edgy Art Rockers with a Pop slant!

http://www.myspace.com/electricityinourhomes

Yaard - Minimalist, arty, trance electro music from Bournemouth

http://www.myspace.com/yaaard

Tim Ten Yen - Indie Pop Sensation!

http://www.timtenyen.com/

Kaya King - Noise Musician, founder of the PigHole record label.

Kaya King is an avangarde noise, 2pieces girls' band playing drums and i-phone+chaosilator to create weird atmospheric noise.

DJ's

DJ Brian Turner- Of Good Grief and How Does It Feel...fame, spinning vinyl from 60's post-punk and indie pop.

Good Grief DJ's - A selection of Deejays from North London's obscure indie pop and folkster night, sister club to PigPen. Expect anything from The Beyonce to Sun Ra.

DJ Lemon McWright! - New Deejay talent from Paris, spinning funky house, jazz, soul, hip hop and more.....

Ben, Adam and Gabriel's blog...

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Gabriel since your last blog entry a lot of things have been going on in your life. I’m here, as your new trainee PA. I’ll introduce myself – I’m Adam. I did a bit of work at the last PigPen.

Adam – “Did you enjoy the last PigPen?”

Gabriel – “Yes.”

A – “It was very busy it seems that more and more people with each new event?”

G - “Yes.”

A – “That’s good”

G - “No . . . Yes.”

A – “Are you looking forward to the next PigPen?”

G - “Yes.”

A – “You are on a holiday of sorts with Beth and Richard?”

G - “Yes.”

A – “You’ve been going to their allotment quite a lot?”

G – “Yes.”

A – “Has it been good seeing all the different food?”

Silence

A – “You’ve been going for a lot of walks do you enjoy that?”

G - “No.”

A – “But it’s good for you?”

G - “Yes.”

A – “Another new thing, is having massages, has that been good?”

G - “Yes.”

A – “And soon you will be joining a gym to work on your strength and leg muscles to help you walk?”

Silence . . . and more silence . . .

A – “Are you feeling tired?”

G - “Yes.”

A – “Shall we change the song?”

G - “Yes!”

Ben and Gabriel's blog... Pig Pen- 28th July, London

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:33:00 +0000

Watch the last Pig Pen;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t14p6h8Wwbs

Ben and Gabriel's blog... PigPen- Tuesday 28th July

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:02:00 +0000

Hello,

After the amazing success of PigPen at The Macbeth last May- we are pleased to announce another PigPen night at The Macbeth on Tuesday 28th July. It's another exciting line-up packed with Solo acts and collaborations galore.

Headlining, straight from his US Tour we have the amazing Honkeyfinger giving us his dirty electro blues explosion. A real treat in store for those who haven't seen or heard the wonders of his music and performance. We have Monnone Alone- Mark from The Lucksmiths incredible solo project with various members of indie pop collective'Still Flyin'' (Moshi Moshi). Mark joins us hot off a European tour with The Lucksmiths. Eddie Halliday, founder of Naked Tree Recordings joins us with some of his beautiful folk music. Then we have our PigPen regulars- Tim Ten Yen, a joy to behold for those of you who haven't experienced his pop magic and lyrical genius. Kaya King, who blew away the crowd with their experimental noise music collaboration back in May and Niall Spooner-Harvey, compere, poet and all-round funny, witty, surreal guy.

As usual, resident DJ Brian Turner spins his blend of post punk, indie pop and 60's soul on the decks and of course, FREE COMICS FOR ALL

Okay, so Tuesday's a crap day but it's summer, we got a very full line-up of top quality acts, great DJ's, free comics and a roof-top BBQ. It's well worth a hang over at work on Wednesday .

Hope to see you there,

Ben and Gabriel and the rest of the PigPen team xx

As well as putting on a diverse range of music, poetry and performance, we give out free comic books to all who part with their hard-earned cash to come to one of our nights.

PigPen is about sharing the experience of putting on a club night with someone who has autism and is non-verbal and would otherwise have a very limited opportunity to be a young person. It ' s about opening this experience to others like Gabriel on the autism spectrum and encouraging people to come together through music and live acts. We aim to make many connections, cross-cultural, cross- ability and most recently, cross-generational. (This is not a charity or fundraising event, purely about connecting)

Ben and Gabriel's Blog...

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:14:00 +0000

Ben – Your Grandad came around today.

Gabriel – “Yes.”

B – It was a surprise visit, were you surprised?

G – “No, Yes, Yes.”

B – He said you were looking a lot better than when he saw you at the weekend.

G – “Yes.”

B – You had such terrible seizures last weekend at your Dad’s. It must have made you feel like crap!

G – “Yes

B – We took delicious sandwiches at The Grocery. Beautiful thick cuts of ham with salad and mustard!

G – “Yes.”

B – Then we went to Hoxton Square for a walk. You did some excellent walking.

G – “Yes, No, Yes, No.”

B – I thought you did, it’s the best you’ve done without support from anyone since breaking your ankle!

G – “Yes.”

B – Were you nervous?

G – “No.”

B – You’ll be back on track in no time if you continue like this!

G – “Yes, No, Yes.”

B – We had the best-ever chocolate brownie this afternoon!

G – “Yes.”

B – CHOCOLATE MADNESS!!!

G – “No.”

B – Certainly looked like it to me.

G – “Yes.”

B – We did loads of exercise today. It seems to have perked you up!

G– “Yes, Yes.”

B – Did that chocolate brownie have anything to do with that too?

G – “No.”

(note from Mary – Ben ate most of the chocolate brownie!)

Ben and Gabriel's blog...Short Pig Pen Animation

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Ben - Gabriel, PigPen last Monday was so exciting! We had such a good time.

G - "No, Yes."

B - Was it a bit full on for you at times?

G - "Yes, Yes."

B - There were lots of people, it was rammed!

G - "No."

B - Okay, well there were a lot of people there, rammed may be a slight exaggeration!

G - "Yes."

B - Sarah Best and some of the other NAS staff came along, that was cool!

G - "Yes, No, Yes."

B - The acts were all brilliant. King Salami and The Cumberland Three, Tim Ten Yen, Brigitte Aphrodite, Niall Spooner-Harvey and Brontosaurus Chorus.

G - "Yes."

B - We had a roof-top BBQ and free comic books too.

G - "Yes."

B – Was your favourite act Kaya King?

G - "Yes, Yes, Yes.....Yes.....Yes."

B - They got you snizzing to the max! You sat next to the speaker!

G - "Yes."

B - Robyn was on the PigPen team, she was snizzing up too!

G - "Yes."

B - Robyn is so cool!

G - "Yes, Yes."

B - Any other acts that made you snizz up?

G - "No."

B - I saw you snizzing up to Tim Ten Yen!

G - "Yes...Yes, No . . .Yes."

B - The Macbeth liked PigPen so much that they want to have us back- great news!

G - "Yes."

B - Once we've caught up with some sleep, we can work on the video of the night!

G - "Yes, Yes....Yes."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLw8z1wlmmA

Snizz Cake...

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Ben It's PigPen in three days!!!

Gabriel - "Yes."

B - We need to get people to come!

G - "Yes, No, Yes."

B - I mean, we already have a lot of people but the more, the better!

G - "Yes."

B - So if there's anyone out there who likes live music, performance and poetry- get yourself to The Macbeth in Shoreditch this Monday. It's £5 entry, you get a free comic book and there's a free roof top barbeque between 5 and 7pm!

G - "Yes, Yes."

More details can be found on the NAS website and www.myspace.com/pigpen20

B - It's been a rock and roll week for us!

G - "Yes, No, Yes."

B We've been hanging out with fellow blogger Robyn Steward.

G "Yes."

B She came along to your twenty second birthday party at the Barbican.

G "Yes."

B She wore a really cool hat.

G "Yes, Yes, No, Yes!"

B You had on your H&M Matthew Williamson suit from your Dad. You looked very stylish.

G "Yes!"

B Much more stylish than me!

G "Yes, No."

B It was a great party. We all had Snizz Cake.

G "Yes."

B Did you like the Snizz Cake?

G "Yes, Yes."

B Oh good, it's the first cake I've made in years. It didn't make people snizz up though?

G "Yes."

B Oh that's right - Robyn and Niall did a bit of snizzing!

G "Yes, Yes."

Last night we had a really nice time at the Barbican. We met up with my new friend Sarah.

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Ben – Last night we had a really nice time at the Barbican. We met up with my new friend Sarah.

Gabriel – “Yes, Yes.”

B – It was the first time you’d met each other.

G – “Yes.”

B – Were you a bit nervous about meeting her?

G – “No, Yes.”

B – You had some really great conversations with your comm device.

G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – It’s nice having a girl to have great conversations with.

G –“Yes.”

B – Would you like to go out on a date with a girl?

G – “Yes.”

B – It is difficult with your support needs, and harder for you to get those opportunities.

G – “No, Yes, Yes.”

B – The best thing is being able to talk about the stuff that makes me laugh, talk about my dreams and aspirations….It’d be so good if you had someone to do that with.

G – “Yes, Yes, Yes.”

B – You made a big impression on Sarah.

G – “Yes.”

B – She got her long red gloves out when we went outside, you seemed to like them.

G – “No, Yes.”

B – Was it the colour that you liked more than the material?

G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – It was a lovely evening, lovely food and lovely company.

G – “Yes.”

B – Would you like to do it again?

G – “Yes.Yes. ”

This week we interviewed Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services.

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:05:00 +0000

Ben – This week we interviewed Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services. Do you think it went well?

Gabriel – “No, Yes, No, Yes.”

B – Our second visit in the corridors of power!

G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – This time it was Whitehall instead of The House of Commons but still pretty cool!

G – “No, Yes.”

B – Before the interview we hung out with Sarah Best. And met Anya, who’s on the spectrum. – I thought she was very cool!

G – “Yes, No, Yes, Yes.”

B – Were you nervous at the interview,?

G – “Yes.”

B – Me too! I couldn’t get my words out at first!

G – “Yes.”

B – Did you follow Phil Hope’s answer about improving Direct Payments for those on the autism spectrum? I was worried about his use of political jargon . . .

G – “Yes, Yes.”

B - Hopefully he’ll act on our experiences!

G – “Yes.”

B – Were you impressed when he started juggling?

G – “No, No.”

B – Phil Hope likes the sound and rhythm of juggling. I suggested that he might be on the autism spectrum!

G – “Yes, Yes, No, Yes.”

B – It was cool to be invited by the NAS down the pub afterwards.

G – “Yes.”

B – Gabriel, you did yourself proud and everyone, your friends, family and the NAS are incredibly proud of your achievements!

G – “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Give Jeff your support or else...

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Ben – This week our friend Bram came over to check out some bands with us!
Gabriel – “Yes.”

B – Getting the music line up sorted out for the next PigPen on May 25th, exciting!
G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – It’s so cool to spend an evening listening to music and eating nice food.
G – “Yes.”

B – We should do it more often!
G – “Yes, No.”

B – The big news of the week is that we’re getting ready to interview Phil Hope, Minister of Care Services!
G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – This Monday.
G – “Yes.”

B – We’re really looking forward to it.
G – “Yes, No, Yes.”

B – It’s okay to be nervous.
G – “Yes.”

B – It is brilliant timing. The Direct Payments you have been awarded has fallen short of what you need by 65 %, that’s a lot!
G – “Yes.”

B – More money needs to be raised!
G – “Yes.”

B – Your great friend Jeff is running the London Marathon this Sunday to raise money for Gabriel’s Angels. He’s raised a good amount so far, Thanks Angels!
G – “Yes.”

B – We’re going to go and watch.
G – “No.”

B – Could be too crowded for you mate.
G – “Yes.”

B – We’ll watch it on TV. In our hearts we’ll be there supporting him all the way!
G – “Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!”

#autism

We’ve been invited by Sarah Best at the NAS to interview Phil Hope, the Minister for Care Services. Now that’s exciting!

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:27:00 +0000

Ben – Gosh, where to start with this week’s blog? Well, last week we found out you have pneumonia! You were in hospital for a day.

Gabriel – “Yes.”

B – We could talk about that.

G – “No.”

B – Fair enough - Let’s talk about something else.

G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – We had a meeting this week with a person from the Hackney local authority to about your Direct Payments. She was really nice.

G – “Yes.”

B – But she gave us the bad news that the funding is a lower hourly wage than what I have been paid as your PA by £2.00!

G – “Yes.”

B – And Mary’s been fighting for the last 2 1/2 years for you to receive DP – what a disappointment that it’s not as much money as we were led to believe by your social worker. More fundraising to do . . .

G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – It’s good to have Direct Payments… yet there is not enough funding to properly support all your needs Gabriel.

G – “No.”

B – Yet now we have this tremendous opportunity to talk about it! We’ve been invited by Sarah Best at the NAS to interview Phil Hope, the Minister for Care Services. Now that’s exciting!

G – “Yes, No, Yes.”

B – We must get prepared . . .

G – “Yes.”

B – After meeting Ed Balls, he will be the second minister you’ will have met. Brilliant!

G – “Yes, Yes.”

Snizz up for Autism

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:04:00 +0000

Ben and Gabriel Snizz up for Autism for World Autism Awareness Day- Stand up for Autism video.

At the dentist

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:40:00 +0000

Ben and Gabriel's blog this week is in the form of a cartoon.

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Ben – Gabriel, let’s do our blog, it’s been a while!
Gabriel – “Yes.”

B – You’re still not very well are you mate?
G – “No.”

B – It’s been a long time now that you’ve been ill, you must be worried?
G – “No, No, Yes.”

B –I’m a bit worried too, you seem to have low energy.
G – “Yes.”

B – You must rest when you’re tired and do things when you’re up to it.
G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – You’ve been to see Daniel, your cranial oseteopath from two years ago. He’s an amazing man.
G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – He has made you feel a bit better?
G – “Yes.”

B – We discovered a new band that you like this week.
G – “Yes.”

B – We listened to ‘Bat For Lashes’, they’re really good!
G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – Would you like to get some of their music?
G – “Yes.”

B – Okay, well we should look out for some of their music next time we’re out.
G – “Yes.”

B – Tomorrow we’re going to be interviewed for a film the NAS are making. Are you looking forward to it?
G – “Yes.”

B – I know how much you love being on camera, looking sharp!
G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – I just do my best to keep up with you!
G – “Yes!” (Hits the button with enthusiasm!)

noreply@blogger.com (National Autistic Society) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Ben – Last week was full of ups and downs eh Gabriel?
Gabriel – “Yes.”

B – We started the week with the ‘I Exist’ Creativity private view.
G – “Yes.”

B – We arrived fashionably late. You were treated like a star and whisked away to have your photograph taken by the NAS photographer. We joked how you are an A-list autie!
G – “Yes, Yes.”

B – Did you like some of the artwork on display?
G - – “Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, No.”

B – It was great to finally meet Sarah Best who we send our blog to every week.
G – “Yes.”

B – You also got to hang out with some of the other girls from the NAS, that was exciting?
G – “Yes, Yes, Yes.”

B – You’ve never been surrounded by so many pretty girls- you played it very cool.
G – “No, No.”

B – You did. And then in stark contrast - the next day you woke up with a fever and difficulty breathing!
G – “Yes.”

B _ We went to your doctor who sent you to the Royal London Hospital. Your fever rose very high. The doctors did a series of blood tests and then they hooked you up to a drip. It looked very uncomfortable.
G – “Yes, Yes, Yes.”

B – It must have been difficult to sleep with a drip in your arm?
G – “Yes, Yes, No, Yes.”

B – After all the tests it wasn’t clear what was wrong, but your temperature was down enough for you to come home.
G – “Yes.”

B – At first you seemed to be on the mend, but today you’re in bed again with asthma.
G – “Yes.”

B – You must get well again so we can go to more private views and hang out with the beautiful people!
G – “Yes!”