In recognition of Millie Danielson’s 100th birthday, Ann Arbor Rotarians came out to celebrate – both in person in the Anderson Room and via zoom.

President Mark rang the bell to officially start our meeting. Tom Strode, our Club’s masterful pianist, played our National Anthem.

Greg Stejskal noted that the Boy Scouts were founded on this day 110 years ago, and that Millie Danielson was “founded” on this day 100 years ago. Like Boy Scouts (and 4% of scouts become Eagle Scouts and our Club boasts 20 Eagle members!), Millie has always lived by the maxim of service above self. Millie added to that pledge with grace, dignity and youth.

Don Duquette and Joanne Pierson led our Rotary Club members in “Life Goes On,” with Lauren Mist, Rotaractor, accompanying us on the piano.

President Mark welcomed members and guests including Dave Anderson, Betsy Hammond (wearing a dazzling red dress made of fabric birthday girl Millie Danielson wove), and Burt Voss. It is good to see our Glacier Hills contingent at our meetings. Guests include Millie’s son, Michael.

Tom Strode came back to the piano bench to accompany song leader Shelley MacMillan and the Club in singing “For She’s an Amazing Strong Woman,” to Millie. The song ended with a spontaneous standing ovation for Millie.

Downs Herold came to the podium to give a special tribute to Millie, based on the tremendous highlights of her life, her dedication to service, her creativity, and her ability to create lifelong friendships. It occasioned a second spontaneous ovation for Millie.

As a special 100th birthday treat for Millie, delicious slices of chocolate birthday cake were delivered to all members at the meeting.

Edwin Portugal introduced today’s speaker, Katie Oswald. Katie is a nonprofit founder, facilitator, and autistic self-advocate. She founded Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults (FSA) in 2018. Through Full Spectrum Agency, she facilitates peer support groups, discussion groups, and other programs for more than 800 autistic group members. Katie partners with organizations in Michigan to teach sexuality education, social and communication skills for relationships, and self-determination. She also advocates for autistic adults through corporate workshops, conferences, and community presentations. An avid traveler, Katie learned the majority of her self-advocacy and leadership skills through world travel. She has visited 18 countries on all seven continents, including two years in Uganda with the U.S. Peace Corps. Her talk is entitled: “Autistic Adults and the Importance of Peer Support and Advocacy.”

Autistic Adults and the Importance of Peer Support and Advocacy
Building an inclusive community that includes autistic people is very important. Autistic adults need a place to go to quell their fears, for peer support, and for social and recreational activities. FSA provides such a place. FSA is for both professionally diagnosed and self-diagnosed autistic adults. FSA is volunteer-led and has spun off another FSA in Massachusetts.

Why is autistic inclusion important?
* 80-90% unemployment rate – even for those autistic adults with advanced degrees;
* High risk of homelessness;
* Poor mental outcomes: 5- 8 times higher suicide rates compared to neurotypical adults;
* Lack of neurodiverse-affirming therapies;
* Challenges in access to health care;
* Autistic burnout with lack of empathy and support by others for those with autism;
* Lower life expectancy;
* Social isolation and exclusion worse for non-speaking adults with autism and those with fewer visible disabilities; and
* Lack of understanding of autism as a way of being, rather than a set of deficits or behavior problems.

Katie urged her audience to make an effort to meet and interact with autistic people. She noted that tantrums and meltdowns happen because the autistic adult is overwhelmed and a fight or flight response kicks in. So, be patient and understanding of what is actually happening.

What is needed for inclusion in society?
* Acceptance and inclusion of individuals where they are. Katie noted that even after she had graduated and gotten her Master’s degree and had a 9 – 5 job based on that knowledge, it wasn’t ok to speak to the fact that things were not ok for her.
* Support for prevention of meltdowns, trauma and burnout;
* More opportunities for inclusive social and recreational activities for adults and older adults;
* Service provides knowledge of the lived experience;
* Understanding that many will need ongoing support. The types of needs may change, yet the need for ongoing support continues.
* Neurotypical allies including parents and professionals already involved the autism community.

Ideas for Inclusion
* No one is too or not autistic enough at FSA;
* Folks with all types of autism are welcome at FSA;
* Being verbal is just one of the many ways to participate at FSA;;
* At FSA you have the option to come and go, be on video or microphone, or not.

FSA Programs Include:
* Monthly peer support groups;
* Companion Core Group; and
* Special Interest Show and Tell.

World needs to value and prioritize autism
* Autism needs a voice at the table;
* Autistic people have valuable contributions to offer;
– unique perspectives and lateral thinking
– extraordinary vision / hearing / memory
– complex pattern recognition
– hyper focus

Rotarians can contact Katie Katie@FullSpectrumASD.org and learn more about FSA at www.FullSpectrumASD.org .

President Mark concluded the meeting by giving Millie the microphone. Millie addressed our Club saying that she was very lucky to have so many friends and family celebrate her. “Rotary means so much to me and it has been a great way to keep in touch with everyone – even during the pandemic. I love all of you. I am impressed with all that Rotary does. Thank you all for your friendship and for Rotary.”

A third standing ovation burst forth to recognize Millie.

President Mark concluded the meeting with a quote to Millie: “May your 100th birthday bring you more than all the joy, wisdom, hope and love you’ve always given away so freely. You are a treasure.”

Respectfully and happily submitted,

Mary Steffek Blaske
Reporter and one of many, many Millie Danielson fans