MOChAA

We're an organized group of a different sort, recently dubbed MOChAA by my good friend and fellow "Aspie" mom Jennifer. Jenn boarded a bus for the California State Senate last week and bravely spoke up against the proposed budget cuts that will effect funding to the programs that need it the most. Before speaking she was asked for the name of her group. From there MOChAA was born: Mothers of Children with Asperger's or Autism.

We got together recently, sans kids, to trade stories, resources, laughs and fears. As special needs moms staying organized is key, and that includes maintaining these special friendships born of a shared experience.

What a group of organized moms we are. Jennifer created a Yahoo group, sent out invitations, organized an affordable restaurant and then printed two-for-one coupons so that we could get our meals for half price. Once there, another mom paired us off into cash/no cash so we could go through the line together, utilize our coupon and make sure things evened out.

We ended the evening like a group of silly "tweeners", slapping hands together and reciting our new "secret password" (born of a derogatory comment by a misplaced teaching "professional" during a mom's guided program tour)! When life gives you lemons, you squeeze them. MOChAA moms want to be sure we get every last drop.