RE: Re: Fwd: [AutDads] True measure of QB's heart found at home, Flutie family faces challenge of autism

Well, you might want to clean it up just a little bit ... you know .. brush
off the indents, etc.  ;o)  Maybe loft a QIM Tunes pass to 'em too.
[thanks for the call - things come together when we work within the
"guidelines" we're given and within our authority, yes? ... very happy to
hear that your back is getting better every day.]

~*~ tink

> -----Original Message-----
> From: autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> Behalf Of Tom Smith
> Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 6:37 PM
> To: autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [Autismlist] Re: Fwd: [AutDads] True measure of QB's heart
> found at home, Flutie family faces challenge of autism
>
>
> Dear list,
>
> I'm forwarding this discussion to Flutie.  I know many of you think I
> was out of line in some of my comments and you have a point, but now
> it's time for Doug to get real.  He may not even read this but at least
> I'm trying to "contact" him.
>
> Tom Smith
> Autism and Direct Care advocate
>
> --- remarksman <remarksman@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > --- In autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Tom Smith <qim@xxxx> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > --- remarksman <remarksman@xxxx> wrote:
> > >
> > > "the Fluties are WAY bought into the research/behavioral/pathology
> > > model, and that's all that's holding up the Show, not Dougie
> > >
> > > like many many parents, they want him as he was, and as they
> > expect
> > > him to be, not as he is, can be, and will be"
> > >
> > > Bingo.  It was the Fluties and parents like them that saddled us
> > the
> > > past ten years with ABA and ABA's practitioners unholy war against
> > FC.
> >
> > eh, i'm not ready to toss that ded fish on their porch
> >
> > it was a "group effort"
>
> True.  I'm trying to shame these folks so that they stop making the
> same mistakes.  I was in the mix almost ten years ago and warning them
> about all this.  They didn't listen to me then and now I think it is
> appropriate for me to kick alittle ass.
>
> > > It will be difficult if not impossible to convince these parents
> > that
> > > what they did and what they supported was the exact opposite of
> > what
> > > they should have done.
> >
> >
> > not the exact opposite, just some mistakes, like everyone -- and
> > lotsa bad advice from vested interests
>
> I think I'll hire you as my diplomat to the autism community.
>
> > >
> > > They thought they knew better when the fact is that anyone with
> > basic
> > > knowledge of IQ sees plenty of evidence in auties behavior of at
> > least
> > > the possibility of high IQ.
> >
> > >  That of course makes FC more than a
> > > disirable intervention, but a must.
> > >
> > > Flutie was a huge disappointment not only in the autism community
> > but
> > > with my home team the Buffalo Bills.
> >
> > dunno bout the former, no to the latter
>
> The latter was true.  I was on a discussion group of fans as Flutie was
> leaving the Bills.  I defended him!!  As for the autism community, I'm
> sure he is appreciated by most.  Like I said I'm just trying to get his
> attention and give him the kick in the fanny he deserves.  Heck, Dougie
> got lots of that with ABA.
>
> >   He was all set up to be the
> > > champion of the underdog.  What happenned?
> > >
> > > Tom
> > >
> >
> > he's still set up, else he wouldnt have that kid
>
> True.  Let's hope he comes through.
>
> > he threw the alltime Miracle Pass of college football for BC, way
> > back in, well, BC
>
> Don't forget the Buffalo-Huston game.  That was historical and a true
> miracle of coming from behind.  Flutie did it then and earlier in that
> other college game.
>
> > i expect Dougie'll bring him around eventually
>
> Yep, I'm just trying to help him.
>
> Tom Smith
> Owner of the Autismlist at yahoogroups
>
> > >
> > >
> > > > --- In autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Tom Smith <qim@xxxx> wrote:
> > > > > ''I believe Dougie can understand the majority of what we're
> > > > saying to
> > > > > him," Doug said. ''I just don't think he's able to respond.
> > > > >
> > > > > I think the elder Flutie is making progress.
> > > > >
> > > > > Tom
> > > > >
> > > > > --- gammicca@xxxx wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > To: <AutDads@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > From: <gammicca@xxxx>
> > > > > > Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 17:45:57 -0400
> > > > > > Subject: [AutDads] True measure of QB's heart found at home,
> > > > Flutie
> > > > > > family faces challenge of autism
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > True measure of QB's heart found at home
> > > > > > Flutie family faces challenge of autism
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2005/07/24/true_measure_of_qbs_
> > > > heart_found_at_home/
> > > > > > By Jackie MacMullan, Globe Staff  |  July 24, 2005
> > > > > >
> > > > > > NATICK -- This time there are no boxes, no moving vans, no
> > > > harried
> > > > > > coast-to-coast transports of the dogs, the kids, the stuff.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Doug Flutie is home. His new job, backup quarterback for the
> > New
> > > > > > England Patriots, enables his daughter, Alexa, to complete
> > her
> > > > senior
> > > > > > year of high school alongside her lifelong friends -- not to
> > > > mention
> > > > > > cousins -- from Natick. It allows his son, Dougie, to sleep
> > in
> > > > the
> > > > > > same room all year, with his toy box and his hockey stick
> > and
> > > > his big
> > > > > > old bear.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dougie is 13 now. He loves music and the ocean. Sometimes,
> > when
> > > > the
> > > > > > family is at the beach, he'll bolt toward the water without
> > > > warning,
> > > > > > and Doug will have to chase him down. Dougie will hear his
> > father
> > > > > > coming, his steely legs frantically pounding the sand in
> > > > pursuit, and
> > > > > > he'll wheel around and smile. You know what he'd be saying
> > if he
> > > > > > could talk: Gotcha, Dad.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > He loves it when his mother, Laurie Flutie, plays the ''Hey"
> > > > song.
> > > > > > When he was 2, before autism overtook him, he would croon
> > right
> > > > along
> > > > > > with her. You know the tune. It's ''What I Like About You"
> > by the
> > > > > > Romantics. When they sang, ''You really know how to dance,"
> > > > Dougie
> > > > > > would bust a move, smiling and laughing, like always.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dougie doesn't dance so much anymore. He often sits in his
> > > > stroller,
> > > > > > a state-of-the-art contraption that helps contain him and
> > provide
> > > > > > comfort from the swirl of life's activity that is, at times,
> > > > just too
> > > > > > overwhelming. He has a habit of drifting off to his own
> > place,
> > > > where
> > > > > > nobody -- not his mother, his father, his sister, or a team
> > of
> > > > > > top-flight physicians -- can penetrate.
> > > >
> > > > that's the idea alritee
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Autism is heartbreaking that way. One minute, your son is
> > > > smiling at
> > > > > > you, and the next, he is looking right through you.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''He's always looking away," said Doug Flutie,
> > wistfully. ''You
> > > > > > wonder what he's thinking."
> > > >
> > > > ask him
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > But his parents believe Dougie is happy. He doesn't know he's
> > > > > > autistic, doesn't notice when others gawk at him when he's
> > > > shouting,
> > > > > > or chewing on a plastic bottle, or twirling objects again
> > and
> > > > again
> > > > > > and again. Some people stare, others recoil. His parents
> > have
> > > > long
> > > > > > ago accepted that.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The rest of the world simply does not see the Dougie they
> > see.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''People ask me how he's doing," Doug Flutie said. ''It's
> > not
> > > > that
> > > > > > he's doing any one specific skill. It's little things. He
> > follows
> > > > > > directions better. He gets in and out of the car by himself.
> > > > That's a
> > > > > > huge improvement. Before that, it used to be a procedure."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Here is one of the most celebrated athletes in New England
> > sports
> > > > > > history, a Heisman Trophy winner who married his high school
> > > > > > sweetheart in a storybook wedding. The Fluties were
> > millionaires
> > > > by
> > > > > > the time Doug was 25, yet his own son, his namesake, can't
> > even
> > > > begin
> > > > > > to carry on the legacy. It's likely Dougie will never read
> > or
> > > > write.
> > > > > > He will never be able to take care of himself. He probably
> > will
> > > > never
> > > > > > speak. The Random House Dictionary defines autism as a
> > pervasive
> > > > > > developmental disorder characterized by impaired
> > communication,
> > > > > > excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Heartbreaking? Of course it is.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > no, it isn't
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > But don't you dare feel sorry for the
> > > > > > Fluties.
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''We don't really like that poor, poor pitiful me thing,"
> > Doug
> > > > > > explained.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > mom duz!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > They started the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism in
> > 1998,
> > > > three
> > > > > > years after their son was diagnosed. As they learned more
> > about
> > > > > > Dougie's condition, they recognized the need for heightened
> > > > > > awareness, education, and research. When Laurie purchased a
> > > > special
> > > > > > tricycle for Dougie with wider handlebars and a bigger seat,
> > the
> > > > > > price tag was more than $1,000. His special stroller cost
> > > > $2,000. It
> > > > > > rankled her. How could average families afford this?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The foundation. It supports people who need financial
> > assistance
> > > > in
> > > > > > caring for their autistic children.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > good
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > It funds research and helps
> > > > > > develop new programs and services.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > not good
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''I feel like Dougie was meant to do this," Laurie
> > > > said. ''Without
> > > > > > him, there is no foundation. It wouldn't have happened. It's
> > in
> > > > > > Dougie's name. It's his legacy. It gives us peace."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Still, it's not easy sometimes. Doug and Laurie have nieces
> > and
> > > > > > nephews who are growing and prospering all around them. Bill
> > > > Flutie's
> > > > > > son Brett is the same age as Dougie and he's an athlete,
> > just
> > > > like
> > > > > > his older brother Billy, who just committed to Boston
> > College to
> > > > play
> > > > > > football. The Flutie family is close; Doug's brothers, Bill
> > and
> > > > > > Darren, and sister Denise, all live in town. Laurie's mother
> > is
> > > > still
> > > > > > there. There are daily reminders of what could have been.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > what COULD have been?!  you don't even know what you've GOT!
> > > >
> > > > why consign him to a hypothetical past, when his whole glorious
> > > > future is still ahead?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''We were at one of Brett's basketball tournaments
> > recently,"
> > > > said
> > > > > > Doug. ''He came out and said, 'I could use one more guy on
> > the
> > > > court
> > > > > > with me. I need one more guy who thinks like I do.'
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''I turned to him and said, 'Brett, you know, that's
> > supposed to
> > > > be
> > > > > > Dougie.' "
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Brett blanched. Doug's brother Bill turned away, his eyes
> > moist.
> > > > But
> > > > > > the quarterback no longer cries for his son.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''They see what Brett is doing, and they want that for us,"
> > he
> > > > said.
> > > > > > ''But we don't miss it as much as they might think, because
> > we
> > > > never
> > > > > > had it. We love Dougie just the way he is."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Devastating diagnosis
> > > > > >
> > > > > > When Dougie Flutie was just 2, if he concentrated really
> > hard, he
> > > > > > could practically reach the hoop with a regulation-size
> > ball. He
> > > > > > loved to shoot baskets with his father, and would happily
> > sit
> > > > with
> > > > > > his little arms and legs curled around Doug watching an
> > entire
> > > > NBA
> > > > > > game.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > He was an active, alert, mischievous child.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''When he wanted juice, I'd ask him, 'Now, Dougie, what do
> > you
> > > > say?'
> > > > > > " Laurie recalled. ''He'd giggle a few times, but wouldn't
> > > > answer.
> > > > > > I'd say again, 'Dougie, what do you say?' He'd laugh, then
> > he'd
> > > > > > shout, 'Please, beauty mom!' "
> > > > > >
> > > > > > When his father went down to the basement to practice his
> > drums,
> > > > > > little Dougie would trail behind, climb into his lap, and
> > bang
> > > > on the
> > > > > > cymbals. They lived in Calgary at the time, when Flutie was
> > > > starring
> > > > > > in the Canadian Football League, and their house included a
> > > > master
> > > > > > bedroom with a fireplace that also connected to the living
> > room.
> > > > > > Dougie loved to stick his hand through the grate from one
> > room to
> > > > > > another, shouting with glee to his sister, ''Lexa, grab the
> > > > hand!"
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''He was one of those kids who hated going to bed," Doug
> > > > said. ''We'd
> > > > > > put him in, and the next thing you know he'd be standing on
> > the
> > > > > > balcony. We'd say, 'Dougie, go to bed,' and he'd say to us
> > in
> > > > that
> > > > > > sweet little voice, 'Good night!' "
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The memories are like precious stones, to be coveted and
> > admired
> > > > and
> > > > > > preserved.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > they want their "normal" boy back -- it's the Fluties who
> > > > are "stuck," not Dougie
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >  Dougie was once like all of his cousins. He talked and he
> > > > > > sang and he cried and he giggled and he looked right into his
> > > > > > parents' eyes and told them he loved them.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > It changed shortly before Dougie turned 3, when Laurie and
> > the
> > > > kids
> > > > > > went back to Natick to enroll Alexa in school. All of a
> > sudden,
> > > > the
> > > > > > sunny boy was subdued. He talked less and less. Laurie
> > called the
> > > > > > pediatrician. He told her it was not uncommon for younger
> > > > siblings to
> > > > > > stop talking for periods of time, because their older
> > brother or
> > > > > > sister did the talking for them.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Two months passed. Dougie barely spoke at all now. The only
> > time
> > > > he
> > > > > > managed to articulate much of anything was to repeat what
> > Laurie
> > > > said
> > > > > > to him. Laurie went back to the doctor. She mentioned
> > Dougie's
> > > > > > symptoms developed shortly after he had his immunization
> > shots.
> > > > She
> > > > > > was referred to a neurologist, who recommended the boy be
> > > > admitted to
> > > > > > New England Medical Center.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dougie underwent a battery of tests. He was scared. He had
> > wires
> > > > > > coming out of his head. They put him in a crib that looked
> > like a
> > > > > > cage. He looked away, and he never looked back.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > hmm ... put the terrified human in the cage . . . looks away,
> > never
> > > > looks back . . .
> > > >
> > > > this is a mystery?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''I remember being in the doctor's office," Doug
> > said. ''They
> > > > told me
> > > > > > Dougie wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. But when I
> > looked
> > > > at
> > > > > > him, I saw the old Dougie."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The doctors surmised that Dougie was developmentally
> > challenged
> > > > from
> > > > > > birth. Laurie put together a video of her child when he was a
> > > > > > completely healthy, vibrant, communicative 2 1/2-year-old --
> > > >  ''his
> > > > > > highlight film," she joked. The doctors viewed it, then grew
> > > > silent.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''I watched and said, 'Oh my God,' " Doug said. ''I didn't
> > > > realize
> > > > > > how far he'd regressed."
> > > >
> > > > he got a promotion
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The diagnosis -- autism -- was devastating. But, within a
> > week,
> > > > Doug
> > > > > > and Laurie were moving forward.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''We just started focusing on, 'Where do we go, who do we
> > see?' "
> > > > > > Doug said. ''I've had to do that a lot in my career. I know
> > how
> > > > to
> > > > > > put last week behind me."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Questions are raised
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Doug Flutie was always the little guy who defied the odds.
> > He
> > > > was a
> > > > > > United States Football League bonus baby. He was a Canadian
> > > > Football
> > > > > > League legend. He was a replacement player in New England, a
> > > > > > controversial figure in Buffalo, a sage veteran in San
> > Diego.
> > > > Along
> > > > > > the way, he used his notoriety to start the Doug Flutie Jr.
> > > > Celebrity
> > > > > > Golf Classic, an all-star basketball tournament, and a 5K
> > road
> > > > race,
> > > > > > all to benefit the foundation.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''It always amazes me when I work with families like the
> > > > Fluties, who
> > > > > > truly do not feel sorry for themselves," said Lisa Borges,
> > > > executive
> > > > > > director of the foundation. ''It would be easy to be bitter,
> > or
> > > > > > angry. No one would blame them. But they don't say, 'Why
> > me?'
> > > > They
> > > > > > say, 'What can I do?' "
> > > > > >
> > > > > > According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 166
> > children
> > > > > > develop some form of autism, ranging from mild and somewhat
> > high
> > > > > > functioning (like Dan Marino's son) to severe. The number is
> > > > > > staggering, and Bill Flutie does not understand why there
> > hasn't
> > > > been
> > > > > > a more urgent look at the preservative containing mercury
> > that is
> > > > > > used in immunizations.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''You've got to shake your head at it," Bill said. ''Dougie
> > is a
> > > > > > normal little boy, then after the shots he's not? Autism is
> > > > reaching
> > > > > > epidemic proportions. I wish someone like Doug, with so much
> > > > > > visibility, could pressure the government to do something.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''I'm afraid to discuss it with Doug. It's so personal. It's
> > a
> > > > tough
> > > > > > subject. It upsets them, sometimes."
> > > >
> > > > ah
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Doug and Laurie have struggled with this issue. They, too,
> > > > believe
> > > > > > the immunizations are the cause of Dougie's autism, even
> > though
> > > > no
> > > > > > studies have proven a direct link.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''The government will never admit it, but we've got a big
> > > > problem,"
> > > > > > Doug Flutie said. ''They did a study. Great. Happy for them.
> > But
> > > > > > there's no doubt in my mind we need to get the mercury out
> > of
> > > > these
> > > > > > shots.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''We can't get into the lab ourselves and prove it, so we're
> > > > trying
> > > > > > to raise funds for research. No matter what they find it's
> > not
> > > > going
> > > > > > to make Dougie better. But it could help others."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > They are wrapped up in Dougie; they admit it. There are
> > excellent
> > > > > > facilities that house autistic patients, but the Fluties have
> > > > > > rejected that option.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''Some members of our family have said, 'You know, the sad
> > day
> > > > will
> > > > > > come when you are going to have to put him someplace,' "
> > Doug
> > > > said.
> > > > > > ''I say no. Screw that. I want him with us. If he's 20, 25,
> > 30,
> > > > 35, I
> > > > > > want him here."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''I will never put him in a home as long as I can possibly
> > help
> > > > it,"
> > > > > > Laurie said emphatically.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dougie remains a challenge. He needs constant attention. He
> > is
> > > > apt to
> > > > > > suddenly sprint off into a crowd. He rarely cries, so if
> > he's
> > > > hurt,
> > > > > > or suffering, his family is often unaware. He cannot swim,
> > so he
> > > > must
> > > > > > be supervised near water at all times.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > This past summer, Dougie was sitting in the hot tub when he
> > > > suddenly
> > > > > > popped out, scooted down the slide of the family pool, and
> > > > plopped
> > > > > > into the water without his life vest on. Alexa quickly
> > pulled
> > > > him to
> > > > > > the surface; her brother, quite pleased with himself, merely
> > > > grinned
> > > > > > at her.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > little manipulator!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Doug worries his son doesn't eat enough. Dougie is thin, and
> > he
> > > > never
> > > > > > indicates he's hungry, so his father leaves a trail of easily
> > > > > > accessible snacks throughout the house. Laurie worries that
> > > > Dougie
> > > > > > might become sick and be unable to tell them. Alexa needs
> > > > glasses;
> > > > > > how would Dougie ever let them know if he did?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''We were home recently and Dougie was crouched down, just
> > > > staring
> > > > > > out the window," Doug said. ''He had been doing it quite a
> > > > while, so
> > > > > > I said, 'Dougie, come over here.' He didn't move. That's
> > when we
> > > > > > realized his finger was stuck in the vent. The poor kid
> > couldn't
> > > > tell
> > > > > > us."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > One night, Laurie tiptoed up to check on Dougie in his room.
> > He
> > > > was
> > > > > > looking out the window with his hand sticking through the
> > net of
> > > > his
> > > > > > little plastic basketball hoop. His finger had become caught
> > and
> > > > was
> > > > > > turning blue. Dougie never made a sound. The net is no
> > longer in
> > > > his
> > > > > > room.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Realistic about the future
> > > > > > Who knows what Dougie would have been like? Is it a
> > coincidence
> > > > that
> > > > > > the first thing he reaches for in his toy box is the hockey
> > > > stick,
> > > > > > the basketball, or the football? Doug tries to play catch
> > with
> > > > Dougie
> > > > > > sometimes. He'll say, ''Get ready, I'm going to pass you the
> > > > ball."
> > > > > > His son, his expression blank, will not turn around. His
> > father
> > > > will
> > > > > > throw the ball anyway. Most times, Dougie will expertly
> > snatch it
> > > > > > without looking.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''There are moments when you get a little bummed out," Laurie
> > > > > > admitted. ''You watch Brett playing sports, and you think to
> > > > > > yourself, 'These would be the kids Dougie would be hanging
> > out
> > > > with.'
> > > > > > There are at least eight kids in the neighborhood Dougie's
> > age
> > > > who
> > > > > > are running around, doing what boys do. You wish Dougie
> > could be
> > > > out
> > > > > > there with them. But you can't dwell on it."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > They are realistic about their son's future. He may improve
> > in
> > > > > > increments, or this may be as good as it will ever get.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''I believe Dougie can understand the majority of what we're
> > > > saying
> > > > > > to him," Doug said. ''I just don't think he's able to
> > respond.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of the [Philadelphia] Eagles, had
> > a
> > > > > > brother who was autistic who didn't speak his first word
> > until
> > > > he was
> > > > > > 35. He told Jeffrey, 'Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot.' "
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > LOL!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > When Doug signed with the Patriots, he sat down and
> > explained to
> > > > his
> > > > > > kids how he had met coach Bill Belichick years ago at rocker
> > Jon
> > > > Bon
> > > > > > Jovi's 30th birthday party, and how he thought this job with
> > New
> > > > > > England was a good fit. Flutie had seriously considered
> > playing
> > > > one
> > > > > > more year in the CFL with his brother Darren before the
> > Patriots
> > > > made
> > > > > > their pitch. NFL offers from the Giants, Seattle, and Tampa
> > Bay
> > > > were
> > > > > > more lucrative, but they couldn't guarantee he'd be able to
> > > > watch his
> > > > > > nephew Billy play for Natick High every Friday night.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Flutie reports to Patriots camp today knowing his son is
> > settled.
> > > > > > Dougie can hang out in his ''hot pool" and continue his
> > > > schooling at
> > > > > > a collaborative program in Framingham.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The unknown comes into play years from now, when Doug and
> > Laurie
> > > > grow
> > > > > > older. Laurie had a nightmare about it two weeks ago, and
> > woke up
> > > > > > sobbing, shaking. ''I told Alexa about it," Laurie
> > said. ''She
> > > > said,
> > > > > > 'Mom, stop worrying. I'll take care of Dougie.' "
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''People think he's a burden," Doug said. ''He's not. I love
> > > > going up
> > > > > > to his room and lying with him on that big old bear he's got
> > on
> > > > his
> > > > > > bed."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The Flutie family went to dinner recently. They were in the
> > > > middle of
> > > > > > a conversation when Dougie suddenly picked up the
> > rectangular
> > > > menus
> > > > > > and began twirling them.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ''He's got them in both hands, and he's spinning them
> > around,
> > > > and we
> > > > > > can't believe it," said Doug Flutie, with wonder in his
> > > > voice. ''So
> > > > > > we all start trying it. But we can't. We can't do it."
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "I can do things you can't do, I can juggle twelve globes at
> > once,
> > > > please pay attention, there's much more"
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The stunned waiter stared at this nearly grown kid in a
> > stroller
> > > > > > making strange guttural noises while spinning these menus
> > like
> > > > some
> > > > > > kind of juggler. He had recognized Doug Flutie when they
> > came
> > > > in, and
> > > > > > now his facial expression betrayed his thoughts: how sad.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > No. It's not sad at all. Look at them. Do they look unhappy?
> > So
> > > > Doug
> > > > > > Flutie Jr. will never be a quarterback. So what? His father
> > does
> > > > not
> > > > > > care. Dougie's legacy -- his foundation -- is so much more
> > > > > > meaningful.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > We should all be able to see that.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Donations to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism can
> > be
> > > > sent to
> > > > > > P.O. Box 767, Framingham, MA 01701
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > the Fluties are WAY bought into the
> > research/behavioral/pathology
> > > > model, and that's all that's holding up the Show, not Dougie
> > > >
> > > > like many many parents, they want him as he was, and as they
> > expect
> > > > him to be, not as he is, can be, and will be
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ____________________________________________________
> > > Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
> > > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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