MELISSA

***IMPORTANT NOTICE: If clicking on one of the "Click Here to Donate" links below does not take you directly to the homepage of The Bolden Family: Team Jacob's Journey, but instead takes you to the Cleveland Walk homepage....you can still place your donation from there by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the page, next choose "Support a Walker" option from the drop down box, then type in my name "Melissa Bolden" to access our team page.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
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♥HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!♥
My family and I will be participating once again in the AUTISM SPEAKS: WALK NOW FOR AUTISM event in honor of my nephew Jacob. As many of you know, Jacob was diagnosed several years ago with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified or PDD - NOS for short.
FACTS ABOUT AUTISM:
Did you know?
* 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism. * 1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum. * 67 children are diagnosed per day. * A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes. * More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. * Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. * Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade. * Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases. * Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism. * There is no medical detection or cure for autism.
We are so BLESSED that Jacob is on the high functioning end of the Autism Spectrum. We are especially THANKFUL that he is loving, affectionate and interacts with his family and loved ones! He adds so much JOY, HAPPINESS and LOVE to our entire family!
Jacob is a CREATIVE, ENERGETIC, INTELLIGENT, HANDSOME little boy who recently turned 7 years old in March and is currently in the first grade. It has taken him some time to get adjusted to his new school in Ohio. He is a true GIFT from God and continues to AMAZE us with his progress each and every day! Although he continues to make significant strides in many areas, he still struggles some in others including his speech.
We BELIEVE he will have an AMAZINGLY AWESOME, FULFILLING, PRODUCTIVE FUTURE to look forward to! We BELIEVE Jacob is capable of so much and we can't wait to see what lies ahead for him. He INSPIRES us every day to continue FIGHTING for his recovery from Autism. As a family, we PRAY for a CURE! We need your help to join us in this fight as we participate in this year's walk in Cleveland, Ohio. It will be held on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10th, 2009 at VOINOVICH PARK.
Please SUPPORT us if you can, no donation is too small and ALL are truly appreciated! If you are unable to make a monetary donation at this time, you can still make a difference by educating yourselves and spreading awareness to others about Autism. Help us to teach others to ACCEPT and EMBRACE the differences and challenges those affected by Autism deal with every day. Teach about the STRENGTH that must be put forth daily just trying to "fit in" with society. Teach FRIENDSHIP, PATIENCE, and COMPASSION! And above all else, teach that Autism is NOT shameful. Help us to enrich Jacob's life and all those affected by Autism. Although each day brings new challenges for him and his family, is also brings new HOPE!
Together we can find the missing "puzzle piece"...
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Always
Unique
Totally
Interesting
Sometimes
Mysterious
THANK YOU for taking part in our quest to EDUCATE and bring AWARENESS to Autism. We welcome any friends or family members who would like to participate in the walk. You can do so by clicking on the donation link above and following the external link to access the Bolden Family Donation & TEAM JACOB'S JOURNEY home page.
HELP us find the CAUSE...HELP us find a CURE!!!
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT & GOD BLESS!
Sincerely,
*Jacob, *Daddy Shannon, *Mommy Stephanie, *PopPop Roy, *GrandMaMa Barbara, *Auntie Melissa & *Auntie Dena
www.walknowforautism.org
www.autismspeaks.org
My name is Melissa and I'm 30 years old. Originally from Cleveland, Oh., lived most of mylife in Grafton, Oh., and now reside in Princeton, WV.
God blessed me with a great family. My parents have been married for 43yrs. My dad put all 4of us kids through college (all at the same time at one point!) He retired from General Motorsafter 38yrs. He was fortunate to have a great job that allowed our mother to be a stay athome mom which we are grateful for! I'm sure parenting is one of the hardest jobs ever, butshe has done an excellent one to say the least.
My oldest brother Michael and sister-in-law Renee both are chemists and live in Cincinnati. They have an adorable5 yr. old boy Gabriel. The kid is a pro at Wii and is sure to bring Dena to tears (especially atbowling)! He can't help she's a sore loser! My other brother Shannon and Stephanie also have1 son, Jacob, who is 7. He's such a handsome little boy and also is quite the character. He issure to always make us laugh! Jacob was diagnosed with a Pervasive Development Disorder which is better known as Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has come a long way and has made us so proud ofhis many accomplishments. My two nephews are true gifts from God and they mean theworld to me and my family!
Guess that just leaves Dena and myself. Neither one of us are married and we don't have anychildren. We plan on keeping it that way for awhile! Hopefully there will be time for all thatlater in life....first, we need to get out and enjoy our lives! Plus-I'm still way too youngpeople!! Same goes for my sis!!
Dena and I found ourselves in lovely WV when she decided to come here for a year ofschool and I soon followed. Needless to say, it has been much longer than we'd planned!After getting over the initial culture shock, it has overall been a nice change. I believe I am stilltrying to adjust to the slow pace lifestyle! I try to make a trip back home to OH at least oncea month.
Sis and I both graduated from BSC with honors. (Had to throw that in there! Cause that's how we roll!) If you saw one of us on campus you probably saw the otherone nearby. Aside from having classes together (which was a huge help!) we both belongedto Phi Alpha Chi. Plus Dena and I were also on the softball team together. I love sports and I am super competitive. I began pitching at the age of 6 and continued until the age of 24. So that definitely was a huge chunk of my life and I LOVED it. It's one thing I was great at! I was honored to be selected as the WVIAC Senior ScholarAthlete in 2002- cause I'm AWESOME like that people! (I also played volleyball and softball forConcord) It was great having my sister there to experience college life with me! Which leadsme to present day.....Dena, it's time we get out there and gets us some jobs!!!
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