Autisticana

a gallery of autistic special/intense interests

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Tag: History

  • Ben Rhodes as NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cup Championship Final of 2023

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    The race was held at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona on the 4th of November 2023. In addition to being the season’s last race, it celebrated NASCAR Racing’s 75th anniversary. The remaining four drivers who made it to the finals were Ben Rhodes #99, who also won the 2021 Truck Series Championship, Corey Hiem #11, Grant Enfinger #23, and Carson Hocevar #42. Anyone who is willing to use the trophy could be the winner.

    During Stage 1, The Race was all lined up with trucks in a row of 2 before starting the race. When the pit crew truck got off the racetrack, the person at the white checker flag waved the green flag to start the race for one last time of the 2023 Season. When the action began, there was already some contact from Rajah Caruth to Jack Wood at turn one while the first 7 trucks are willing to get the early lead before the next lap around the track. Ty Majeski took the lead at Stage 2 followed by Corey Heim #11, Ben Rhodes #99, Zane Smith #38, Nick Sanchez #2, Taylor Gray #17, Christian Eckes #19, Chase Prudy #4, and Jesse Love #1 which the trucks had a major switch at the 3 and 4 wide. At the 4th Lap, Grant Enfinger had his dashboard on and saw Derek Kraus #77 contact Stewart Friesen #52 and spanned at turn 3 on. 90 degree angle.which Halie Deegan #13 slowed down her truck along with Colby Howard #9 behind her which Stewart Friesen #52 locked all 4 tires to avoid a collision. Once they restart the race. Majeski resumed the lead which Heim is currently the winning driver of the final 4. The race was clean and smooth until the final lap of the first stage which Majeski and Heim battled to win the first stage but it was close at the 3rd turn but Ty Majeski would win the first stage of the race. Along side with Zane Smith and Ben Rhodes included Nick Sanchez in the top 5 position.

    During Stage 2, it all began with Corey Heim regaining the lead but a little contact from Carson Hocevar. On the other side, Matt Crafton #88 went far out and almost hit the guardrail but managed to successfully stay in the race. After the first 2 laps, Chris Hacker #30 crashed his truck into the wall which his rear right tire was blown out. Marco Andretti on the #7 truck also got some damage on the front Side of the truck. The AMR Safety Crew came in to help Hacker walk out of his truck safely into the ambulance. On the other view of the crash, Marco Andretti truck contacted Chris Hacker’s truck and then the 30 truck landed and hit the wall but he was lucky that he wasn’t hurt. As soon as the green flag was on, Corey Heim continued his lead with Ty Majeski, Zane Smith, Grant Enfinger and Taylor Gray took charge which Heim resumed his lead until stage 2 was over and which the other 4 drivers took the top 5 of the 2nd stage. While Corey Heim went to pit stop it took a while for his pit crew to check his truck but he was let go but the crew wasn’t happy about the longer wait of getting his truck ready.

    During Stage 3 as the final round, the race started off with Ekces taking the lead follow by Prudy and Gracia but some contact from Prudy and Sanchez at the wide turn of turn 1 while all of the trucks were finding a solution to fight for the top 10 but Carson Hocevar has been taking the winning position of the final drivers to begin the 3rd stage but the other 3 trucks were in the top 20 which had to gain more speed to go back to the top 10. After a couple of laps to resume the race, another caution came out from Conner Jones #66 who pushed Jake Drew #61 which Hallie Deegan slide at a 90 degree angle so avoid the crash. As the green flag resume, Nick Sanchez took the lead along side with Eckes. Carson Hocevar had squeeze his truck to stay in the top 5 for a tight battle of the race. With 37 laps to go, Ben Rhodes was finding a way to get back to the top 10 but made some contact with Tanner Gray #15 but didnt avoid an accident which nothing bad happen. In the meantime, Carson Hocevar took the lead of the champions of the final 4 along side with Corey Heim which Hocevar refuse to let Heim pass his truck but made contact after Corey Heim passed Carson Hocevar. After another lap was passed, Hocevar took a wide turn and took Corey Heim out of the crash and Stewart Friesen crash which the caution was on by turn 2. Carson Hocevar got really upset and frustrated that he didn’t wanna push Corey Heim but was gonna contact him instead of pushing him out of the race. As the race resume, 25 laps to go and Nick Sanchez has taken the lead but Hocevar decide to pull back into the top 20 which it was a poor restart. Ben Rhodes has decided to get closer in the top 5 and release the 6th caution by 25 41 43. Dye on the 41 pushed Matt Dibenedetto #25 and Daniel Dye #43 pushed Bailey Currey #41 and all of them crash into the wall. With 15 laps to go, Christian Eckes and Zane Smith are battling for the lead while Rhodes and Enfinger were taking the battle for the championship. Jesse Love was doing outstanding heading to the top 5 which it has been approving well with race. Before the final couple of laps, Zane Smith and Eckes was battling for the lead which Ben Rhodes and Grant Enfinger has been battling for the championship in the last 10 laps until another caution was out and disrupted their clean battle. Carson Hocevar had destroyed his truck which Corey Heim’s truck had his right side damage which Corey Heim give revenge on Carson Hocevar along side with Tanner Gray who spinned out in turn 2 along side with the other 2 playoff drivers that were involve of the accident.

    Once overtime has taken over, the top 4 drivers are willing to taker the lead, by turn 2, Enfinger made contact with Sanchez and slip a little but manage to stay alive which Prudy moved to the top 4. Zane Smith and Ben Rhodes were about to battle for the win until caution was out before the white checkered flag was up. Derek Kraus #77 crashed into the wall between turn 3 and 4. Ben Rhodes saw the white flag being switch to the yellow flag before the final was on while trying to take the lap. It didn’t last when Grant Enfinger went back to pitstop and downgrade to the outside of the top 20 to restart the race. The 2nd round of overtime took off with Zane Smith taking the lead but Ben Rhodes made a careless mistake by holding traffic and pushed Zane Smith which he spud around and crash into Jack Wood #51 to release another caution. There was some damage from Ben Rhodes and got right into Zane Smith, but missed the shift, which his crew chief has to take a look at his to make sure it’s fine to resume which nothing serious happen. The 4th try of overtime alert started off with contact from Eckes to Prudy and pushed Ty Majeski to the side and then the 98 truck got hit by Jesse Love #1 which spun Majeski out along with the trucks being too close which Matt Crafton #88 also spun a 360 angle to crash Tyler Hill #56, Colby Howard #9 and plow into Sean Hingorani #75. During the 5th and final restart of overtime, Eckes on the outside and Purdy on the inside which Ben Rhodes has determine to take the Championship spot. After turn one, Grant Enfinger made a major move to get close to Ben Rhodes which Garcia was getting close to Eckes and Tyler Ankrum hit himself in the wall of turn 3 which this time the caution will not be out this time and release the white checkered flag for final lap. The Championship spot was close for Rhodes that won before in 2021 and Enfinger wanted to get his first Truck Series Championship which it was tight battle until Enfinger jumped to the outside but not enough to get close to Rhodes. The race finished with Eckes taking the winner of the race but Ben Rhodes has officially won the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship. Ben Rhodes’ Crew Cheif celebrated their moment of victory lane. Even though Ben Rhodes got one victory race at Charlotte Speedway before claiming the victory of the truck series title. Both truck drivers had a clean race without being spun out and refused to give up their positions of the championship.

    Ben Rhodes is officially the Championship of the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for first time since his first one in 2021. He kept it calm and steady until the very end to hold his excitement which his crew was happy for the victory which Enfinger’s crew was disappointed that couldn’t capitalize the victory. Rich Lushes who was the crew chief of Ben Rhodes had an interview with Fox Sports which he quoted “Were like a baseball team and we had a starting pitcher and Jared Prince said got the deal going and take the win.” He was proud that his crew kept their toes up and banged to survive the championship and also thanked Enfinger the he kept it clean instead crashing and burning like everyone else. Throughout the celebration, Ben Rhodes did the donut while raised the NACSAR Championship Flag. The truck had some damage from shifting gears from contact in overtime but managed to survive the race by the great encouragement while having issues with the restarts. It was battle born of surviving the championship. While Eckes drove away with the checker flag, Ben Rhodes swing the Championship flag and the fans cheered for his tremendous victory. When Rhodes started his interview, he shout out “LET’S GO! Man I hate when people do that on tv I’m so sorry but dang this was so awesome.” He was thrilled to see all of the people who came to support him. Ben Rhodes was born and raised in Louisville, Kentuck that he always wanted to be a nascar driver which started off as local basvar league in his hometown and then promoted to 4th Division which is known as the ARCA Racing Series in 2014. A Year later, he joined the NASCAR Truck Series and enjoyed working for the truck league since then. He also pointed out that he thought that 25 laps into overtime which he fought he was loose a tire or get pushed by Enfinger which give him full respect. He also shout out to all of his fans and crew member for dedicated support and also thanked ThorSport Racing, kubota USA and Ford for the support. While switching to Grant Enfinger’s interview, Ben Rhodes was speechless of joy excitedly gone wild. Enfinger told the reporter that we was gonna take the win for the original green flag before the final until the caution disrupted his moment but after that, there was nothing that he could do about with the results. He also thought that he would’ve take the win if Ben Rhodes didn’t extend his speed until the very end. While Corey Heim gets his interview with Amanda Busick, he told her that the race was not planned on what thought with crash by Carson Hocevar, which he did lost control of his truck while he did had a terrific season even Hocevar’s truck before the final race of the season. Overall he had great truck but crash into the wall and destroy his right side while hoping stay in playoff for next season. Lastly, Carson Hocevar wanted to have his interview at the AMR Care Center because he was too embarrassed react on live tv so he rather have it at a safe place with little amount of people as possible. He told the reporter that he thought Corey Heim was a gonna do some contact but didn’t wanna push him out for a caution which he felt guilty for the accident which got him distress about the situation. He wanted to block the other trucks to let Heim get a win or top 5 finish but there so much trucks in the way for heavy traffic parts if the time which caused the accident. He didn’t wanna finished the race in the final few laps into overtime for the second time that crashed with Corey Heim and his truck was totaled which he surrender and be away from the race to get some space to avoid media attention. He wanted to do better has a truck driver and didn’t wanna cause any accidents for the 2024 Season. Last but not least, Christan Eckes won the race who was a non playoff winner and told the sports reporter that it was good to have victory for the winner but it wasn’t unfortunate to not stay in the playoffs which he would’ve been the Truck Series Championship. Finally, Ben Rhodes has lifted the trophy and makes him the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series Champion. He was happy and patted all of his crew members for a celebration and a good job for the dedicated work.

    The Top 5 Drivers of the Race

    • #19 Christian Eckes
    • #35 Jake Garcia
    • #4 Chase Purdy
    • #1 Jesse Love
    • #99 Ben Rhodes
    Ben Rhodes becomes fifth driver to win multiple Truck Series championships

  • Our investigation of the Polar Express!

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    Now that the holiday season is amongst us we are going to dive deep into the creation of the polar express and investigate all through the NY region who is hosting one, and where can go to experience all these like minded events.

    Our team of investigators @ autisticana begin by researching the history of this fabulous holiday theme event. This is where we start :

    The journey of “The Polar Express” began as a beloved children’s book, penned by renowned American author Chris Van Allsburg in 1985. The compelling premise, spellbinding illustrations, and heartwarming themes of faith and Christmas spirit helped the book to secure a Caldecott Medal for its remarkable illustrations the following year and steadily gained a devoted readership worldwide.

    “The Polar Express” tells the story of a young boy who, harboring doubts about Santa Claus’s existence, awakens on Christmas Eve to find a mysterious train—the Polar Express—waiting to whisk him off to the North Pole. Along with other children, the boy embarks on a magical journey, filled with hot chocolate, fantastical landscapes, and a personal encounter with Santa himself.

    A testament to its immense popularity, “The Polar Express” was adapted into a feature film in 2004. Famous American filmmaker Robert Zemeckis directed the animated film with Tom Hanks in multiple roles, including the train conductor, the boy’s father, and Santa Claus. The film utilized motion-capture animation technology, a novelty at the time, which caused a stir due to its somewhat unusual and realistic human animations. Despite its mixed critical reception, the film was successful at the box office and has since become a staple Christmas film for many families. Notably, the film received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards for the song “Believe” performed by Josh Groban.

    In addition to the film adaptation, “The Polar Express” has become a central theme in various holiday events across the United States. A popular event is the Polar Express Train Ride, where children and adults board specially decorated trains, journey to “the North Pole,” and experience highlights from the story such as hot chocolate service, a reading of the story over the speaker system, and a visit from Santa Claus. This event is typically held annually during the holiday season in multiple locations nationwide.

    Moreover, “The Polar Express” has also been adapted into a video game, released in tandem with the feature film in 2004. The game allows players to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of “The Polar Express,” providing another avenue for fans to connect with the story.

    Through the decades, “The Polar Express” has proven to be a timeless, magical tale that captures the Christmas spirit. From book to film, from events to video games, “The Polar Express” continues to inspire, entertaining generations with its endearing story and bringing joy to festive celebrations worldwide. The journey of “The Polar Express” so far clearly defines how a beautifully crafted narrative can translate across different media formats and continue to captivate audiences.

    Happy Holiday season from our News Making Team @ Autisticana !

  • What is a sandwich ?

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    The Delicious Inception: The Story of How the Sandwich Came to Be”

    Our team got together tonight to investigate sandwich making and the concept of how it came to be ?

    We made and tried all types of sandwiches from pesto chicken cutlet to smoked turkey and brie to chicken parmesan, we made them all. It was a lot of group tasting and fun. We then got to work on our investigations and this is what we explored:

    Our Interpretation

    From informal picnics to elegant high tea affairs, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a culinary scenario where a good old sandwich doesn’t fit. This delightful food item, known for its versatility and convenience, enjoys worldwide popularity. But where did the sandwich concept originate? Who dreamed up this brilliant food innovation?

    Well, the story is as intriguing as it is appetizing.

    The Birth of the Sandwich

    If we yank back the curtains of time and visit 18th-century England, we’d find our sandwich benefactor in John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. All stories point towards this infamous gambling enthusiast, whose love for card games inspired the concept. The Earl was reputed to have asked his servants for meat tucked between two pieces of bread during his long gaming sessions to avoid interruptions. This convenient meal allowed Montagu to continue playing while eating, without getting the cards greasy.

    Word of this novel idea soon traveled beyond the shadowy gambling dens. The aristocrats started to order “the same as Sandwich,” and thus, the sandwich was christened.

    An Ancient Concept

    While John Montagu popularized the term “sandwich,” the idea of placing ingredients between bread-like items was far from new. Historical records reveal that various cultures had their versions of the modern sandwich long before the Earl adopted his marker.

    Ancient Jewish leader Hillel the Elder was known to place lamb, nuts, and herbs between two pieces of matzah during Passover. Across the globe in the 1st Century B.C., the Romans enjoyed “Buccellatum,” a sort of sandwich with meat and other fillings sandwiched between bread or biscuit.

    The Sandwich Spreads Across the World

    In the 19th and early 20th century, the sandwich began to gain popularity in the United States. As industrialization picked up, the need for quick, convenient meals became apparent. The sandwich, easy to make and portable, fit the bill perfectly.

    In America, the sandwich culture took on a life of its own, from the simple yet hearty peanut butter and jelly sandwich to the extravagant club sandwich. The sandwich was recorded in an American cookbook for the first time in 1816, in “The American Home Cook Book.” By the end of the 20th century, the sandwich was a staple in the American diet.

    In the United Kingdom, egg sandwiches started off by Street Vendors in East London during the early 19th century. The idea was to earn money and feed to the Hungary villagers while others been working in the factories. The idea of the sandwich was fried eggs, meat, cheese which the additional ingredients was bacon, tomato, avocado, pork, chicken and watercress. The bread was called a bap at the time. It became a major success in the cafe culture around the globe after the it hit the United States during the Industrial Revolution.

    Modern-Day Sandwiches

    Today, the sandwich is a universally beloved food item and has evolved into countless variants across the world. From the Vietnamese Bánh mì to the Italian Panini, from India’s Vada Pav to the Turkish Doner Kebab, every part of the world seems to have adopted and innovated upon the Earl’s ingenious creation.

    Wrapping it Up

    Seemingly simple fare at first glance, the sandwich embodies a tale of culinary convenience and creativity. The Earl of Sandwich may have put his name to it, but it is the world’s adaptation and elevation of this humble food item that truly makes the sandwich a testament to global culinary culture. So, the next time you enjoy a sandwich, take a moment to remember its dynamic history, a tale as full of flavor as the sandwich itself!

    Another fun night @autsisticana

    “We learn by doing”….

  • The GWS Giants Never Surrender Their Spot in the AFL Finals

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    The GWS Giants had a chance to advance to the AFL Finals Series, which is known as their version of the playoffs. While Round 24 of the 2023 Season served as the regular season finale. With so many other teams vying for the same postseason spots, the Giants had to work extremely hard to perform at their best. If the Giants defeat the Carlton Blues, they will earn the final space to play them in a rematch, however if they fail to do therefore, they could find themselves eliminated. Carlton coach Michael Voss has displayed confidence and bravery in the Blues to have a successful season and return to the top eight on the league. Carlton coach Michael Voss had displayed faith and bravery in the Blues to have a successful season, and returning to the top 8 ladder was an attainable reality to return to the AFL Finals. The Giants struggled in the first half of the season, but coach Adam Kingsley has given everything he has to help the squad turn it into something and have a winning run in the second half of the 2023 season. The Great Western Sydney Giants had never given up on themselves and held at least the final ticket to the 2023 AFL Finals Tournament because they had never lost hope in their ability to perform a miracle even the 7 game winning streak. The Giants had made their last journey in the AFL Finals Tournament in 2019, while the Carlton Blues were making their first appearance since 2013. The Giants needed to decide whether or not a victory would benefit the squad as a whole. The match was place at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Victoria.

    The match began with Josh Kelly of the GWS Giants taking a behind, but Jack Carroll booted the ball into the goal, giving the Blues an early lead. Then Adam Saad booted it to two Carlton players and passed it to Charlie Curnow, who had the ball inside the 50-metre circle, to give Carlton another goal to increase their advantage. Following a brief period of victory, Callan Ward of the Giants booted the ball at the 50-metre line to score a goal for his team. It was short-lived after Charlie Curnow made a stunning catch from a long kick, allowing Carlton to seize control. Three Giants players made several rapid passes, and one of them found Lachlan Keeffe, who assisted the team in scoring another goal. In the meanwhile, Tom Green handed the ball to Jake Riccardi and dropped it, allowing Toby Greene to recover it and score a goal for the GWS Giants. With a behind, Toby Greene was able to narrow the gap to one point, but his effort was temporary since Carlton’s Matthew Owies scored a goal just before the first quarter’s conclude.

    As the second quarter got underway, the Giants’ Toby Bedford rescued the ball by the Toyota logo before passing it to Harry Rowston, Lachie Whitfield, and Jesse Hogan, who were able to save it within the 50 yard line and score a goal to put the Giants within striking distance of the lead. Lachlan Keeffe was able to pass the ball to Toby Greene and give the Giants the lead when he was in possession of it. When Callum Brown sent the ball to Ryan Agwin, the latter spun and handed it to Stephen Coniglio, who scored a goal for the Giants to increase their advantage. Finally, Callan Ward booted the ball to Jesse Hogan on the other side of the center square, who then handed it to Toby Greene. Toby Greene, the captain, kicked it inside the 50 metre circle to give the Giants another goal. If they took the lead and increased their margins to get close to St. Kilda, they might have had a chance to play for a playoff spot against the Sydney Swans or another rematch against the Carlton Blues, but only if the game ended in a draw. The Blues didn’t give up and took command of the goals and behinds, with Isaac Cummings of the Giants getting the goal and Stephen Coniglio getting the behind, and it would conclude at halftime with the Giants leading by 5 points, 8.4 (52) to 7.5 (47).

    When the third quarter began, the Giants were expecting to stay in the playoffs if they could extend their win or increase the margin of victory, depending on the outcome of the game. It started with the Giants rush behind but figuring out why. Sam Walsh of Carlton scored after more than 5 minutes had passed since the second half began. It was given to David Cuningham, who gave it to George Hewett, who took the kick from the 40 metre circle and went beyond to tie the game at 8.5 (53) to 8.5 (53). The entire crowd erupted in optimism that Carlton would retake the lead. When the referee tossed the ball to receive it first, Lachlan Keeffe used his hand to drop the ball and deliver it to Stephen Coniglio, who scored the goal for the GWS Giants. When Paddy Dow of the Blues raced the ball inside the centre square and kicked it to Charlie Curnow, the Giants players protested about two players collecting the ball at the same moment. Curnow eventually booted the ball and well headed to the goal, where they leveled it again. After a neck-and-neck battle with close results, Jesse Hogan was expecting to seize the lead, but ended up a behind with leading by one point to the Giants. The Giants then chose to seize control of the ball and refused to surrender or give up their position in order to go to the playoffs. A group of Giants protected the ball before giving it to Tom Green, who then caught it at the corner within 50 yards thanks to Jake Ricarddi. When Jake Ricarrdi took the corner kick, it was a tight strike that gave the Giants a goal and resurrected their chances of winning the game. Brent Daniels ran through the Carlton players and kicked it to Lachie Whitfield, who then passed it to Toby Bedford, who kicked it to Racarrdi, who landed inside the 50 yard circle and scored another goal for the Giants. When Harry Himmelberg kicked it to Daniel Lloyd, the referee called it off the boot from Brodie Kemp, which was unfortunate for Carlton, resulting in a 50-metre kick from Daniel Lloyd. When Lloyd booted the ball, it was straight up in the air as a goal, which the Giants refused to give up. The Giants have taken over 7th place in the playoffs by a little margin to move up to 6th place, taking over St Kilda, which now holds 6th place, and they might play against each other as the home team to host the AFL Finals Series for home advantage if the results hold. Coniglio booted the ball out of the center square after running the ball, and Callum Brown afterwards scored another goal for the Giants. Toby Greene finished the third quarter with a behind that indicated the goal was near.

    Toby Beford took a behind for the Giants in the fourth quarter. Tom Green swiftly intercepted the ball, gave it to Brent Daniels, who threw a fly zone to Toby Greene, who quickly transferred it to Jake Riccardi, who quickly stopped inside the goal square and kicked it in by a meter line. The Giants were unbeatable, and they are confident of reaching the AFL Finals Tournament. While Keefee touched the ball, Brent Daniels raced the ball and kicked it into the goal square, scoring an incredible goal that earned him the match’s MVP. While Daniel Lloyd was running and dropping the ball, he swiftly passed it to Toby Greene, who was holding the ball. Then he booted it into the goal, giving the Giants an opportunity to finish sixth and secure home advantage against St.Kilda. As the GWS Giants gained complete control of the game, the Carlton players found ways to score a few of chances until Corey Durdin took over the Giants defense and allowed the Blues to score, relegating the Giants to seventh position on the AFL ladder. While the GWS Giants players tried their luck at taking advantage of the ball, Stephen Coniglio was about to kick to the goal but ended up behind when the ball went closer to the right. Carlton’s Zac Fisher grabbed the ball and booted it inside the 50-metre circle, scoring a goal for the Blues. It may be too late for Carlton to defeat the formidable Giants, against whom they had a large lead, but they can still put the Giants to finish in seventh and advance to the AFL Finals Series. While Adam Saad handed it to Matthew Owies, he felt it was going to be a goal, but it went short with less than 30 seconds left in the game. During the final 20 seconds of the match, The Blues had players passing the footy to each other until Zac Fisher kicked it out of the centre square and landed it to Harry McKay to Adam Saad, then Matthew Owies, and finally Corey Durdin who took the run and kicked it to hope for a goal before the buzzer, which it hit the post for a behind. It didn’t matter that the Western Bulldogs would not be able to compete in the Finals this year, since the Great Western Sydney Giants triumphed by a 32-point margin of 16.9 (105) to 11.7 (73). The Giants have won their ambitions and will never surrender their place in the AFL Finals. The Giants have earned their dreams and will never surrender their berth in the AFL Finals, which both Carlton and GWS Giants are pleased to make in September, although both teams are content to finish in the lower part of the Top 8 Ladder. The GWS Giants were close to have a home game against St. Kilda Saints which it was the opposite of what they wanted to finished the ladder but managed to play against them in Melbourne. The GWS Giants broke Carlton’s nine-game winning streak, but they are still in with a chance of reaching the AFL Finals Series.

    The GWS Giants had played a terrific season with a major turnaround in the second half of the season. When they play against St. Kilda Saints in the Elimination Match which is the first round of the playoffs for the bottom half of the ladder, the Mighty Giants would hope to take a victory to play against either the losing teams of the Qualifying Finalists like Port Adelaide or the Brisbane Lions in the semifinals. The Great Western Sydney Giants can hope to win their first AFL Grand Final as Premiership Champions in order to win all of the Finals Tournament which it’s a big step forward for the Giants to become the best team in the league if they never surrender as a team. The Big Big Sound has prepared an orange splash as the Giants are looking forward to see what the future can hold for upcoming glory years ahead to upon their hopes and aspirations to bring young generations of AFL Fans to be a Giants fan.

    https://x.com/gwsgiants/status/1696847171986071889?s=46&t=jC1fVwKDL12XWw91TSkaWw

    https://x.com/gwsgiants/status/1695757123370803554?s=46&t=jC1fVwKDL12XWw91TSkaWw

    CARTON FOOTBALL CLUB 4.3 7.5 9.5 11.7 (73)
    GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS 3.2 8.4 13.7 16.9 (105)

    GOALS
    Carlton:     Curnow 3, Owies 2, Cottrell, Martin, De Koning, Hewett, Durdin, Fisher
    Greater Western Sydney: Greene 4, Riccardi 3, Coniglio 2, Ward, Keeffe, Hogan, Cuming, Lloyd, Brown, Daniels

    BEST
    Carlton:     Hewett, Curnow, Dow, Acres, Walsh
    Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Green, Coniglio, Ward, Daniels

    INJURIES
    Carlton:     Acres (collarbone)
    Greater Western Sydney: Nil

    LATE CHANGES
    Carlton:     Nil
    Greater Western Sydney: Toby McMullin replaced Sam Taylor (hamstring)

    SUBSTITUTES
    Carlton:     Caleb Marchbank (replaced Blake Acres in the third quarter)
    Greater Western Sydney: Nick Haynes (replaced Toby McMullin in the third quarter)

    Crowd: 44,354 at Marvel Stadium

  • Our Field Trip to Fire Island

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    The whole Autisticana crew went on excursion to Fire Island. Originally we planned on going to Ocean Beach but missed the ferry so we went to Kismet. Some of us almost missed the boat because we got on the wrong ferry terminal boat but the correct time. The crew on the ferry was nice enough to save us time but made in time to catch the ferry to Fire Island. We landed at Kismet, Fire Island. The whole group took a wagon and went for a walk to Kismet Beach. When we got to the beach, some of us went to the water and others relaxed to enjoyed the view. Afterwards, we went for a walk around Kismet and walked through the town and the most interesting houses on the island. We saw signs and souvenirs as items for decoration. I saw some wagons and bicycles in the front yard since cars weren’t allow to go through Fire Island. Afterwards we went for dinner at a deli and we had ice cream, chicken tenders with fries, and a large pretzel. Finally we went saw the most interesting sunset and took the Ferry back to Bay Shore.

    Scott

    On my end I started off with riding on a wagon halfway before having all of the bags on the wagon. I went to the beach and had a blast by getting hit by the giant waves while I tried to avoid getting hit by the riptides. At one point I almost touched a jellyfish with a minor sting, during which I was hypnotized because it was a close call. While I went for a walk with the group, I found out that every wagon and bikes with baskets had a license plate so they know the name of the vehicle. It would be cool if they can customize the plate or get an old license plate for an souvenir so they can put on a vehicle. There’s also a wagon depot by the dock which every wagon should have a license plate to know the color and customize their plates from New York, Florida or whatever customized plate for an ocean-theme related name.

    Jackson

    I loved walking around the beach and standing by the waves while feeling the sand being pulled in by the water. We also got to sit on our towels and talk about how interesting Kismet Beach was. At first I was nervous by the ferry because I kept thinking my stuff was going to fall off the boat but I got through it both to the island and back. I also enjoyed seeing an interesting fence rumored to belong to a “psycho killer” and eating at the deli with each other. I enjoyed a delicious dinner of fries and sparkling lemonade mixed with blackberry seltzer and seeing a beautiful sunset on the way back to Bay Shore.

  • The Matildas vs The Lionesses:

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    Both Matildas vs Lions had played their most competitive performance.This has been the biggest sporting event so far in Australia History while Australia plays against England. The Matildas were determined to get their first World Cup Finalists as the host since the USA did back in 1999. Tony Gustavsson was hoping if Australia could get a victory against England which they’re good as the Matildas. While Sabrina Weigman was focused that the Lionesses could possibly do a rematch which that was her only lost as manager against Australia 2-0 in a friendly match in April of 2023. The match was hosted in Stadium Australia in Olympic Park of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The supporters of 75,784 came to watch a great excited match for Australia vs England.

    The match started off with Australia taking control while England quickly took defense. At the 7th minute, Sam Kerr almost got herself a goal for Australia which was blocked by Mary Herps. At the 9th minute, Stanway was close to get get a goal which Mackenzie Arnold managed to save it.17th minute, Russo passed it to Hemp which it hit the net on. At the 30th minute, Australia took the corner kick which Hayley Raso almost give the Matildas a goal. At the 36th minute, Rachel Daly passed it to Hemp to Russo and small pass to Ella Toone which she give England on the opening score to lead the Matildas 1-0. the 38th minute, Elie Carpenter pass it to Gorry but it was a great save from Herps. Both teams played well which it ended up England 1-0

    During the 2nd Half, The Matilda’s has to find a way in order to go to the World Cup. 47th minute Sam Kerr almost got her goal. At the 57th minute, Lauren Hemp had everything she can which she wasn’t called for a foul but kept going and Mackenzie Arnold was able to save it. At the 63rd minute Sam Kerr took the ball and ran all the way which give Australia a 30 yards kick goal to level up 1-1. The fans at Stadium Australia was electrified as Sam Kerr scored her goal in her host nation. IAt the 67th minute, Kyra Cooney-Cross took the long range kick which Sam Kerr did the header but Herps was able to save it for England. It didn’t last when England took the sacrifice at the 71st minute when Millie Bright did a long pass to Lauren Hemp and passed through the Australian defense and give England the lead again. Australia thought that they could pull through but it didmd last with England with the might roar of getting into their way. In the last 20 minutes Australia had refused to give up hope as Sam Kerr did a head but aimed at the wrong direction which it would’ve been the moment for Australia to catch up England. So the Matildas kept trying but Mary Herps wouldn’t let Australia get a chance to catch up to them. When Australia had the corner kick, Sam Kerr just had her moment but pushed the pressure and booted up instead of direct goal. By the 86th minute, Lauren Hemp give out a massive pass to Alessia Russo a goal for England 3-1, which might do for England to play against Spain in the World Cup Final. The England squad cheered and celebrated like a victory which Australia had everything they could but didn’t get the job done. In the final minutes, Australia had tried possession but it was too late to level it up 3-3 which sadly Australia has been eliminated in the Semifinals against England 3-1.

    The Matildas should be proud of themselves that they change the way to bring young girls and fans around the country to get into soccer. There was a lot of emotions from Australia which they thought they could be the host nation to reach to the finals. The Lionesses on the other hand had one of the best performances in the World Cup campaign which the team was able to play in their true spirit of soccer. The Aussie Fans has shown spirit to this sport. It will live on to continue the future of the Matilda’s which hopefully they can bring a silverware to their history. The whole squad has to now focus on getting Bronze against Sweden in Brisbane which they can bonce back and turn around. The love of every soccer fan around the world who now believe in the Matildas are true spirits and hopefully one day they can show the world to see what they can accomplish in other other conceptions like the Summer Olympics and other International Tournaments.

  • Interview with Long Island Singer-Songwriter ‘victoria said’

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    I was able to sit down with local music artist ‘victoria said‘ and discuss her solo project, her inspirations, and her upcoming releases. Victoria works as staff with my peers in Autisticana and we all are excited about her music and performances.

    Scott: How did you become a singer and songwriter?

    Victoria: I’ve been singing ever since I can remember. My parents got me a karaoke machine and I was always singing for my family in the living room. From Taylor Swift, Camp rock, high school musical, early 2000s hits, my house heard it all! I’ve taken guitar, vocal, and piano lessons for years. My twin sister Sasha has always been musical as well, she plays piano and sings. When we were like 12 we came together and did a duet for the first time. Our first cover was “Payphone” by Maroon 5. We posted it to YouTube and it became our thing to play covers and sing together. I also posted my own singing videos as well. I think I began songwriting as early as 12/13. They may have been a little cheesy but it brought me to where I am today.

    Who are your inspirations?

    Literally everyone. From people that I’ve grown up watching and listening to from Disney Channel like Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, to indie artists across multiple genres that come up on my Spotify, to local artists that gig and do shows around Long Island like me! My dad is into a lot of older music that he has introduced me to as well within the rock and folk genres. I absolutely love going to concerts too! That always inspires me. It makes me go home and write even more.

    What inspires you to songwrite?

    I’m inspired by my experiences and my relationships. The good and the bad are all part of life and I like to write beautiful songs that people can relate to.

    What does your artist name called ‘victoria said’ mean?

    ‘victoria said’ is about speaking through my songwriting. I have people asking me “Victoria said what?” All I say is to listen to my music, that’s what I’m trying to say!

    Tell me about your Music that you have already released.

    I have 2 singles are out currently. In Feb (2023) I released “Through (thank you),” which is a friend breakup song and the first single of my solo project. “hope you don’t sleep good tonight” was my second single and it was released this past April. This one has a striking title but it’s really talking about the intense emotions during a healing process, and that it’s okay to feel angry. “Lovely” is my newest single set to release on August 18. It is so catchy, fun, summery, and the perfect song for feeling nervous and falling in love.

    Are there any other new songs or projects in the near future?

    I just filmed a music video with my friends and a videographer, Liam, from Brooklyn for “Lovely” and it’s set to release in September! It was such a long day but so cool. I’ve never done a professional music video like that before! It was amazing planning and putting the vision together. All the songs that I’ve been working on since last fall will be part of EP coming very soon. I’ve been workin with Sarah Gross on Long Island- She’s been producing and mixing for me and it’s been an amazing experience.

  • The Matilda’s vs France: The Greatest Victory in Penalty Shootout for Australia

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    The Matildas had played really well throughout their world cup until they have to play against France which their known as the Les Bleues. While both Australia and France are motivated to advance to the Semifinals, the two teams have shown exceptional power and overall achievement. Australia’s Tony Gustavsson and France’s Hervé Renard both enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign. With an outstanding view of their 49,961 fans, the match was held at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland.

    The match started off with both teams doing well balance while Sam Kerr gets to start off in the bench just in case of any form of play when needed. At the 12th minute, france took the corner kick which Eugenie Le Sommer had a chance to pass it to Maelle Lakrar bit kicked off target. Australia had some moments but couldn’t get the finishing touches. During the 24th minute Maria Carvajal had signals an Australia throw-in in France’s half. Which quickly became Katrina-Lee Gorry of Australia gets in a strike, but is off target. At the 32nd minute, France took the corner kick and Maelle Lakrar tried to give the Les Blues on the scoreboard which Mackenzie Arnold save it from going in. A the 41st minute, Hayley Raso was about to get the goal for Australia which the french defense almost cost the chance with lack of communication. While Katrina Lee Gorry passed it to Mary Fowler she was about to score for Australia but a great defense from Elisa De Almeida had a massive block which France was lucky to not let Australia get a chance to take the lead which it ended up halftime 0-0. Both teams had caused mistakes and failed possession of the ball.

    When the 2nd half began, France already give a fowl to Fowler which Australia will get the free kick but it was blocked. France had most possession but almost had a chance. At the 55th minute the whole crowd was excited for Sam kerr for her to take over the 2nd half of the match. The moment after she got on, Kerr almost got herself a goal and Hayley Raso nearly got herself the goal for the Matildas. At the 58th minute Australia took charge of the corner kicks which couldn’t finish the job at the end which Pauline Peyraud-Magnin the French Goalkeeper was being this massive to refuse the Matildas the chance of a winning opportunity. During in these moments, France had suddenly came more dangerous with the ball and the tactics. The match at Suncorp Stadium has been interrupted briefly for a check on Eugenie Le Sommer, who is down injured which she got hit in the nose. At the 82nd minute, Australia was able to drive forward but Caitlin Foord is called for offside. During the 89th minute, Australia’s Ellie Carpenter breaks free, but the strike goes wide of the post. At the 90th minute, France’s Selma Bacha misses with an attempt on goal. The match was so competitive and still scoreless which means it ends the regulation match and go to extra time.

    When extra time began, both teams had played their toughest performance which only one side can win it to the semifinals. At the 95th minute, France surge into the attack at Suncorp Stadium but Elisa De Almeida’s header is off-target. At the 100th Minute, France took the corner kick and Wendie Renard had the goal for France but the referee wanted to turn the play over for offside she was also caught for a push to Australia. During the 105th minute, Caitlin Foord had full advantage of the ball and hand it to Cortnne Vine but almost got themselves a goal. Afterwards, it was another round of extra time and France continue to let the Matildas to struggle the possession which France has contacted to play dangerous. At the 106th minute Viviane Asseyi had the ball in the penalty box and gives it to Vicki Becho which Mackenzie Arnold made a powerful save. By the 110th minute, Lauren Fazer of France passed the ball to Grace Geyoro which Steph Catley of Australia defend it from getting the goal. During the final minutes of exratime, France made 2 subs included the goalkeeper. The Goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was being replaced by Solene Durand which Peyraud-Magnin did phenomenal with the defense of disallowing goals for Australia. On the other hand, Eve Perisset is replacing Elisa De Almeida for France. After the final moments from both Australia and France, the match ended up to penalty shots.

    While Australia and France both haven’t find a strategy to score a goal, they ended went to Penalty kicks and a lot of fans has enjoyed the match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The penalty kick also known as PK mode started off with Selma Bacha but made a weak kick for an easy save from Arnold Mackenzie. When Caitlin Foord of Australia took over, she scores by the left of the post. When Kadidiatou Diane of France took the penalty kick it was an easy shot by the left post. While Steph Caitley of Australia took her shot, it was save by Solene Durand to save France with hope. When Wendie Renard the most farce player of France took the shot which it was an easy goal which had no problem of the danger. By the time Sam Kerr the Capitan of Australia took over, she made a goal which roared the whole stadium to see her score the goal in front of the audience of her home country. She had shown pride what soccer can do for her aussie fans, which made her feel good about the penalty kick. When Eugenie Le Sommer of France took the shot, it was a goal on the right side. As soon as Mary Fowler of Australia took the shot, it was a goal on the left and Australia has believe that could win the Quarterfinals. When Eve Perisset of France and just it the post and misses which Austrlia can bring hope for the victory if they made it. When Mackenzie Arnold of Australia played against Solene Durand she almost give Australia the big win which it the right post. It was 3-3 and made it round 6 which it got electrified in Brisbane and all og the fans got amped up with moment of sudden death. Then Grace Geyoro of France kicked the ball and succeeds from the penalty spot which Mackenzie Arnold almost had it but her fingertips was short to give the Matildas a win. When Katrina-Lee Gorry of Australia took her luck, she scores and did the rockabye baby holding dance while Solene Durand of France failed to save it with her fingertips and Australia went wild. By the Sakina Karchaoui of France scores from the penalty spot, it hit the post but able to get over the line when France an extra life of pendents. When Tameka Yallop of Australia took the kick, she quickly tip toe the play and succeeds from the penalty spot 5-5 into round 8. When Maelle Lakrar of France took the penalty kick it succeeds for France for an another lead. While Ellie Carpenter of Australia took the penalty kick she scores off the post but manage to get in. Afterwards, it was Kenza Dali of France took the shot, she missed but Mackenzie was happy to save but has to redo it because she moved too early. When Clare Hunt of Australia gets ready to take a penalty, she was able to kick it center but the goalie was able to save it. By the time Vicki Becho of France took the opportunity to lead The Blues and just it the post but couldn’t hang on. Lastly, it was round 10 which it was leveled 6-6 but Cortnee Vine took the penalty kick which it could be the moment for Australia. The Matildas has won the Penalty Shootout and they whole team has ran out and celebrated on the pitch for another successful match which they managed to win the Quarterfinals for the first time in World Cup History for both men and women for Australia. They will play against England in the Semifinals on Wednesday.

    The most important lesson for the Matildas was to never surrender the power of taking charge of the World Cup and bring in joy for the sport that elevates the team. Everyone in the squad worked so hard to believe in themselves and it wasn’t easy for Australia to keep their grip of saving themselves as the host nation of the World Cup.

    Here’s the extra information about the Matildas on your social networks to see some of the greatest moments of this amazing match to remember

  • England has won the Penalty Shootout in the Round of 16 against Nigeria

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    The Lionesses played all three rounds of Group D and won all three matches against Haiti, Denmark, and China. Coach Sabrina Weigman of England currently hopes that the Lionesses will win in order to be eligible to the World Cup and demonstrate to the world that women can be as dominating as men’s teams. Coach Randy Waldrum, the head coach of the Nigerian Women’s National Soccer Team, is also the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers Women’s Soccer Team during the academic year. England must eventually defeat Nigeria. The match was held at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

    The match began with England having great possession of the ball and dominating the first ten minutes. By the 10th minute, Nigeria was in possession of the ball, and the goalkeeper had volleyed it far over the goal line, resulting in a corner kick. Lauren James was able to boot the ball out of Nigeria’s control after they took the corner kick. Nigeria gained complete control in the 17th minute, and Mary Earps made two saves for England, nearly giving England an early shock that they were fortunate to avoid for a costly goal and punted away. James nearly gave Aleissa Russo a goal for England in the 22nd minute, but the young goaltender was able to make a fantastic stop. England took a corner kick in the 28th minute, but the Nigerian defense saved it, preventing England from scoring. Rachel Daly was ready to receive the ball when it was shoved, and the referee had a superb eye for an England penalty. Nigeria, on the other hand, had additional options for asking the referee to double-check the foul, which was reviewed and checked out of VAR to see whether there was a foul. It turned out that it was used before it was pushed, but it backfired on the foul, revealing that there was no penalty, which incensed England. Following that, Stanway sent the ball to Lucy Bronze, who played it to Lauren James, and the goalkeeper was able to save England’s corner kick. England got the corner in the 40th minute, but James kicked it above the goal line from the same location. The match finished 0-0 in the first half, which England was unhappy with due to a disallowed penalty kick, but the Lionesses had a great chance of keeping their confidence intact on the ball, which Nigeria had given them a fantastic performance.

    During the second half, England was expecting to reclaim their advantage until Nigeria seized possession of the ball, forcing England to play more defensive. By the 56th minute, Greenwood had taken the free kick to Ruso but had swiftly headed out of bounds. The audience carried out the wave in the 62nd minute to keep themselves passionate as the game remained 0-0. England took the corner kick in the 66th minute, but Yewande Balogun, the goalie, saved it, and she leaped up like she was on the monkey bars. Nigeria took a corner kick in the 71st minute, but it flew out of bounds, but Mary Herps fell down and called for assistance to regain her grip. She was fortunate that nothing significant occurred while Coach Wiegman advised England to regain possession more frequently and make an effort to score in order to take full advantage. England took a corner kick in the 76th minute, and the goalie made a tremendous save, giving the Lionesses their best chance yet to score. By the 85th minute, Lauren James made a cheeky foul at Michelle Alozie but the referee initially gave her a yellow but the crew of VAR noticed the foul and the referee decided to stop the match to double check with VAR screen. It was revealed that the yellow card is no longer valid and has been replaced by a red card, implying that James knew she would be taken away for a nasty fowl. The two European Championship players who scored, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, were substituted on in the 88th minute to offer England hope. England fought everything they could to stay alive, and the match ended 0-0, sending them to extra time and maybe a penalty shootout if the outcome remained the same.

    The Lionesses were keen to prevail so they could go to the Quarterfinals, where they would face the Falcons in a tight encounter. England is still seeking for a spectacular glory, but they must play wisely in order to advance to the Quarterfinals. To achieve a successful performance, the squad must tighten possession and play as a unit. In extra time, both teams had a great chance to break through the tie, and there could only be one winner. At the 98th minute, Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie almost scored but couldn’t get her left foot in the goal.During the final few minutes of the first extra time, Nigeria grabbed control of the ball, while England appeared exhausted and hoped for further success. Both teams convened on their respective sides to devise fresh methods to keep the game alive in the hope of a match winner. When the second half of extra time began, both sides carried possession but needed to break the tie. At the 110th minute, Nigeria’s Francisca Ordega had almost scored, and England is fortunate to remain in the game. Nigeria nearly scored the game-winning goal in the 117th minute, but Mary Earps made a fantastic stop on the ball. At the 118th minute, England received a few kicks, and Millie Bright nearly gave the Lionesses a victory goal, but it fell short of her foot. Extra time has ended, and both sides will now compete in a penalty shootout.

    During the Penalty Shootout, it is determined that England and Nigeria will have to go to sudden death to see which side can win the match; this is the FIFA Women’s World Cup’s second penalty shootout since USA vs Sweden took a mighty victory to crush the American Dream of getting another repeat. It all began in England. Georgia Stanway, but she missed the far left goal. When Nigerian Desire Oparnozie attempted the penalty kick, it was unsuccessful in the same manner. Bethany England went up and scored the goal, maintaining her perfect career record in all penalty shootouts. Mary Herps desires to save England, but Michelle Alozie of Nigeria booted it too high, giving England belief. Rachel Daly rose up and kicked it inside the top left corner of the goal post, giving England a better chance of winning the penalty shootout. Rasheedat Ajiibade of Nigeria was fortunate just to score when she took the kick. By the time Alex Greenwood of England stepped up to take the penalty shot, the ball had already gone inside the right goal post. When Nigeria’s Christy Ucheibe scored a penalty kick, Herp did not move. When it was Chloe Kelly’s time, it was established that she assisted England in winning the European Championship, that she scored a penalty winner in the 2023 Women’s Finalissima against Brazil, and that she now has the chance to win it in the Round of 16 Penalty Shootout. Kelly scored by kicking the ball, giving England a courageous win in the first knockout match of the Round of 16.

    Both England and Nigeria huddled up and give handshakes for a really good performance. Others got upset and cheered them up that the team has played their best which it shows heroism and dedication of their positive spirit to teach young girls could play soccer in future generations to show what a soccer match should really mean to give credit. Although England had struggled to keep possession of the ball and lack of scoring opportunities which they didn’t use enough confidence to keep the match alive, but the team was lucky enough to move on the next round. The Lionesses will now face either Columbia or Jamaica in the quarterfinals.

    Even though Nigeria was very strong throughout the match, the Lionesses had their finest effort. They must now concentrate on the pressure, even if they begin to fall short on their most successful players, in order to desire the performance and reclaim their clever moves.

  • Turning Obstacles into Positive Challenges! Now off to Paris !

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    When my twin brother Ryan and I were born prematurely both of us were 3 lbs and over two months early. I was diagnosed with moderate Cerebral Palsy (CP) at birth. Which means I have a brain hemorrhage in a very rare spot. My Cerebral Palsy affects my entire right side. When I was 22 years old I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS means my heart rate goes very high and if I stand up or change positions too fast I pass out and my blood pressure goes very low. My Cerebral Palsy makes my POTS even more challenging. When I was 24 years old I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Epilepsy (seizures) my Epilepsy spot is right next to my brain hemorrhage. Which makes my Epilepsy even more challenging. On top of me having Cerebral Palsy and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I have to carry my emergency seizure medicine and wear my Apple Watch at all times. My medical team at (St. Charles Hospital) is amazing. They go above and beyond for me. I don’t know where I would be with them. At every stage of my life, I learn and accept that my life is harder than typical people’s before all of my diagnoses. But that doesn’t stop me. Even with all of my diagnoses I’m still not letting them hold me back from what I do with my life.

     

    2 Education/Molly: All of my schooling was very challenging but I did it. Thank God that Individualized Education (IEP) was so detailed and grew with me. From Elementary school to College, I had to work twice as hard as my peers because of all of my learning disabilities as well as my diagnoses. Resource room teachers from Elementary school to High school were great at realizing that I was having trouble and trying to find a solution. I would always ask the teacher if I was having trouble or if they could tell me facial expressions. As I entered Junior school and High school the material got because I was in Regents level classes. Which meant more homework and tests. My stress levels increased. But they were almost therapists to me because they would try to find a solution. If that didn’t work they would have a meeting with my teacher. Between myself, my resource room teacher, and my class teacher we would usually find a solution or have extra accommodation for that class. By Senior year my IEP was the size of a textbook with all of my accommodations. Once I entered College for my Bachelor’s Degree I had to find a College that had a great disability program. If they didn’t have that program I wouldn’t succeed. If I had a problem with a teacher, even after I asked the teacher. They would tell the teacher and help to find a solution. I even had a guidance counselor (Leighann) that was my lifeline. I would email her every day, and I would have a weekly meeting with her. If I didn’t have I didn’t her wouldn’t have been successful. When I got my Master’s Degree my College also had a great disability program and my teachers would email me, to see if I was having any problems with the material. From Elementary school to graduating with my Master’s Degree I went to a lot of tutoring and extra help sessions to better understand the material. Since graduating with my Master’s Degree it’s been very difficult for me to find a job with all of my diagnoses. I’m currently trying to get a job with the government in healthcare administration and leadership, that’s what my degrees are. When I was in College I was suicidal from all of the homework, tests, and stress. My therapist told me to bond with my rescue dog, Molly, which helped a ton. Without bonding with her. There’s no doubt in my mind, Coach Steve, Coach Bob, Chloe, Charmaine, Leighann, and my medical team’s minds that I wouldn’t be alive today. During this time I joined Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program Para-Athletics without the head Coaches Steve and Bob, Chloe and Charmaine watched out to see if I was displaying any suicidal signs during practice, road races, and track meets I joined this Track and Field Team help me feel included without any judgment because everyone understands what I was through. They listened to me and did everything I needed to still be alive. Even when Molly passed during the Coronavirus-19 Pandemic, everyone was there for them checking in on me to see if I was okay and not displaying any suicidal signs. Without all of these people and Molly, I would’ve committed suicide. That’s another of the many reasons why I’m so appreciative of these people because they didn’t have but they wanted to.

    3 Obstacles To Challenges /Training For Summer Paralympics Paris 2024/Field Hockey:

    I’ve had many obstacles in my life. My medical team, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists have been there the whole time. They have helped me turn everyday life activities that were insanely hard for me that turned into challenges because It’s very hard for me to use my right limbs, right fingers, and right toes even though I was stubborn and didn’t want to do them. But I had to be able to function in activities of daily life and be a successful functional person in society. I had to be successful to meet every goal the way they wanted which was “the correct way” or I failed the goal and had to keep working on the goal. I tried to find a shortcut for every goal but it didn’t work whatsoever. Even though all of these goals were hard to meet, I am a successful functional person in society. Thanks to their great work and for handling my stubbornness.

    As for my training for The Summer Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 for Track and Field. My Track and Field Team is (Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program Para-Athletics) which is for disabled athletes, most of my teammates have Autism. The head coaches are Steve and Bob. There have been so many obstacles because of all of my diagnoses. Trying to figure out a way that I could successfully run without falling, passing out, or having a seizure. At every practice, I wear my helmet to help in case of emergency. But I didn’t give up and my coaches and pacers on my team didn’t either. Trying to successfully finish practice has also been an obstacle to my safety. I have to have modified practice, wear my helmet, have extra water breaks, and have to wear cooling towels when it’s hot out in case I have an emergency. Even use Quench Gum and Jelly Belly Sport Beans before and during every practice, road races, and track meet. To help me not have an emergency. All of my coaches and my pacers know my faces when I display those symptoms that I’m about to pass out or have a seizure. Another obstacle that turned into a challenge was running road

    races successfully and not falling, passing out, or having a seizure. When I run road races I have my two pacers (Chloe and Charmaine) with me. One pacer is in front of me watching it to see if there’s a curb, a pothole, or if the road is uneven. My other pacer is next to me. I have to wear my leg brace, water hydration backpack, and helmet. In case anything happens to me. As well, in case I have a seizure they were taught how to give me my emergency seizure medication. That was difficult to solve, especially for my safety. My two pacers are amazing for keeping me safe. Even during the road race, they will not tell me what mile we’re at. They will only look at my Apple Watch which displays my heart rate. They’re constantly looking at my face to see if I’m about to pass out or have a seizure. Because they know my faces when I display those symptoms.

     

    In terms of throwing the Shot Put and Discus that was a challenge trying to figure out how I would hold them and successfully throw them. My coaches and I figured out a way that works for me. As of writing, I’m on the Long Island Track and Field Team and the New York State Track and Field Team which I was surprised about. But it’s all because of my hard work. Of course, all my coaches go the extra mile. But didn’t any of these challenges stop me from quitting the team. I’m indebted to all of my coaches for them not giving up on me. I didn’t stop because it was an obstacle for me. All of these obstacles have helped me compete in track meets, most of them I’m competing against typical athletes.

     

    Specifically, Training for The Summer Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 for Track and Field has been a challenge because I have to put in a ton of more work at practice, during the Road Races, and I have extra workouts that my other teammates don’t have. I have to a Paralympic Standards for the Cerebral Palsy (CP) category to be considered to compete in The Summer Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. Those Paralympic Standards for 100 meters, 200 meters, and Shot Put are very challenging, especially having moderate Cerebral Palsy (CP) because of the modifications I had to figure out and master to try to meet those Paralympic Standards as of this moment I’m writing this am I very close of meeting those Paralympic Standards. Each of my coaches, my pacers, and my personal I’m so thankful for to have them in my life. I’m currently 0.10 seconds off of the CP Paralympic standard for the 100 meters dash. I’m currently 15 seconds off of the CP Paralympic standard for the 200 meters dash. I’m 1.22 meters off of the CP Paralympic standard for the Shot Put. I’m currently 9 meters off the CP Paralympic standard for Discus. Running my last 5K (3.1 miles) road race I got a Personal Record by over 4 minutes.

     

    I also have a personal trainer (Ryan) from (Whit Fit/Oompf Fit-Club) helping to increase my strength on both sides of my body. Helping me enhance my sprinting form. He has done the same thing with my Shot Put and Discus form. Having me practice these skills during every session. These sessions aren’t easy at all. But my favorite exercise is pulling the sled. As I’m writing this, the most weight I pulled on the sled is 315 lbs. My best pulling the sled while sprinting is 220 lbs. As of me writing this. Pulling the sled makes me so happy and my trainer knows it. But it’s super challenging especially since my Cerebral Palsy right side doesn’t work as well as my non-affected side in every exercise. Especially my Cerebral Palsy fingers because it’s hard to hold the grips on all of the machines that I have use special grips that I can hold on to while doing strength exercises. I have no control of my right fingers and my right toes due to my Cerebral Palsy right side while also using machines hard to use. My trainer has to do twice the amount of work trying to modify everything because of my Cerebral Palsy but he’s willing to do it for me to achieve my goals. Which he doesn’t have to do. Again he goes the extra mile which I’m thankful for.

    I also play Field Hockey for (Long Island Field Hockey on their Field Hockey 4 All Team). That’s been an obstacle as well trying to figure out how to hold the Field Hockey stick with only my left arm because I can’t grip the Field Hockey stick with my right arm. Figuring out how to hold the stick, hit the ball, and run at the same time was a challenge to master. I’m grateful to my head coaches (Danielle and Mallory) for helping me to figure out how to play the game safely. I also have to wear my leg brace, my helmet, and a sports sling on my right arm since I can’t hold the stick, during practices and tournaments. I also made the National Disabled Program Field Hockey Team. I was shocked that I made the team. But I didn’t give up and neither did they.

     

     

    Having relationships with everyone that I wrote about in these blogs have been there in the happy times in my life as well the dark times of life. They were all listening to me, and were willing to find a solution, all at the time being so supportive it’s not even funny. I know that no one of the people had to do that but they were happy to do it. I will have a relationship with them. I have no doubt they will do anything for me and that’s why they will have a special part in my heart. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to repay them. I’m so thankful and blessed beyond belief to have all of them in my life and will have a relationship with them for the rest of my life.