Please send pixies to my Princess Stitch (12yo DD)

[graygables]

She has Asperger's and VMK has been PIVOTAL in helping her build social skills, spelling skills, and SO many other skills. This is the child who never shed a tear when she sliced her hand open and needed stitches, nor when she just broke her ankle. This morning, she woke me up, crying her eyes out. She's been shutting down all day, reverting back to some behaviours we haven't seen in 3 years! I've already written my letter, but knowing the economic obstacles VMK faces, can't imagine they will turn it around.

Please send pixies to my DD, she is devastated (been around since the beginning) and so are we.

 

[CutieEm]

I will put you in my prayers! Hope your DD gets better!

 

[Horse]

Lots of pixie dust to your daughter.
We have just started the fight to keep VMK open. I won't give up. We can do this together! We all love VMK.

 

[the_jedi_master]

She has Asperger's and VMK has been PIVOTAL in helping her build social skills, spelling skills, and SO many other skills. This is the child who never shed a tear when she sliced her hand open and needed stitches, nor when she just broke her ankle. This morning, she woke me up, crying her eyes out. She's been shutting down all day, reverting back to some behaviours we haven't seen in 3 years! I've already written my letter, but knowing the economic obstacles VMK faces, can't imagine they will turn it around.

Please send pixies to my DD, she is devastated (been around since the beginning) and so are we.

Who does this remind me of?

could it be, i dunno...

ME!!


Hugs for her,
Jedi

 

[Belle1997]

There are many many kids on VMK with autism. I was just writing someone today about what a lost it will be for many kids especially these kids who struggle so much already. Hugs to you.

 

[MichelleXL]

Your daughter will be in my thoughts and prayers.

My brother has the same form of Autism, and seems like he's handling it well so far. He did say "I will probably lose it once VMK is closed down though." He likes to have things in a routine, and when things in that routine are upset, he doesn't always handle it in the best way.

When his puppy (just short of his 6th birthday) passed away last year, he just shut down. Physically and mentally. Would hardly talk, wouldn't drink, wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep (with his diabetes also, this was not healthy for him). It was the worst I had ever seen him. The doctor and vet told us to go out immediately and get another puppy for him. We brought a puppy home for him, sat with him and talked. We told him that the puppy could never replace his other puppy, but he had so much love to give and this little puppy needed him. He looked at the little puppy and said "He's beautiful." Then he went to sleep with "Skippy" and when he woke up, he finally ate and drank something.

The things that go on in their minds, we will never be sure of. But I have so much respect for these children, and what they have to go through. I honestly don't know if I could be as strong. So, have faith, right now your little girl is devastated beyond belief, but with time, it will heal and you will see her precious little smile light up her face.



Michelle


EDIT: Adding pictures of Skippy while I'm sharing information
The first is of Skippy's first night with us, and the second is what he looks like a year later. The vet told us to get a "sturdy dog" because his last puppy had been a pomeranian.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

Pixie Dust and hugs

As a mom of an Aspie I know where you are coming from. My Aspie never got into VMK- he had long since left the kid games behind lol (he just beat WOW a few weeks back). I know there are several VMKers/Disers who fall on the autism spectrum somewhere or the other and the socialization skills the game offers is wonderful. Sadly this simple game that brought friends to so many kids who never had them before is going away. (hmm- maybe people ought to ask autism organizations for support too)

But I know how it is- my dd who is 10 used vmk to pass the time and let her have access to kids when she was so sick recently- although she couldn't access while in the hospital for a month - the time after before going back to school it was a great diversion for her and allowed her to "play" with her friends.

And my 3 yo who started off watching his mom and dad play vmk while sitting on our laps and laughing at disney is a true disney-phile. He has never visited the real parks- but has grown to love Disney through this game- he calls it "My favorite game" and with the help of vmk pal he was recently (within the last month) able to log on to vmk all by himself and once in would travel around (his favorite is tomorrowland) and then "take Pictures" on the Jungle Cruise where he as even scored as high as 5000 points!... well how do I handle it when he goes to play his favorite game on March 21st and it doesn't exist anymore? I guess I just tell him that Disney doesn't care about him... or all the other kids who loved the game so much.

Hugs again...

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I'm finishing my Master's degree in school counseling right now (graduate 10 days before the end of VMK), and I know based on our training just how hard that can be on children and their families, I am so sorry for your little girl and for you.

If there was any "dream" she had in VMK, let me know. If I've got an extra, it's got her name on it. Just say the word. Won't fix things, but maybe it will give her something to distract from the misery she's feeling.

 

[MPhins13]

I have a 17 year -old with Pervasive developmental Disorder and 10 year old with asperger's. Unfortuantely I know what you're going through. Kids think they are weird and freaks, but they have friends on VMK. In a month the friendship will be gone. This is tragic for kids, BUT especially kids with disabilities who play on VMK because it's their place to escape from the stuff people throw at them (names...)

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

Lots of pixie her way.

She'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[tinkryansmom]

While I have been sad about VMK closing all of these letters finally got the tears to fall.

Your stories give VMK meaning on a whole different level.

You are all in my prayers and I hope Disney is listening. Should we be unable to save VMK I hope and pray you are all able to find another way to open up and connect with the beautiful minds of your children.

 

[disvaclub92]

Pixie dust to Princess Stitch!!!

 

[mikeyandscoobyx2]

Sorry to hear She'll be in my prayers.


As for me, im blowing a huge headache right now. Im worried about my friends, what I can do about this mess, and to take care of myself. I wouldn't be surprised if i burst out in tears tomorrow at school in the middle of some stupid class.

 

[piratesLifeYoho]

She has Asperger's and VMK has been PIVOTAL in helping her build social skills, spelling skills, and SO many other skills. This is the child who never shed a tear when she sliced her hand open and needed stitches, nor when she just broke her ankle. This morning, she woke me up, crying her eyes out. She's been shutting down all day, reverting back to some behaviours we haven't seen in 3 years! I've already written my letter, but knowing the economic obstacles VMK faces, can't imagine they will turn it around.

Please send pixies to my DD, she is devastated (been around since the beginning) and so are we.

i work educating children with autism spectrum disorders like asperger's syndrom. i can only imagine how you are feeling right now. you have my prayers. this is exactly the reason we need to keep VMK open. please dont give up hope! please view the letter i recently wrote to CNN and i encourage others to do the same and keep sending....


The Disney Corporation is turning its back on their loyal customers. Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) is a free online game, but to all who play, it is not just a game. It is a mode for parents to connect with their children, a motivation for children to stay off the streets and out of trouble, and it is also a safe way to teach children how to be good citizens before they get out into the real world. However, Disney Internet Group does not care about how much the site means to its over a quarter of a million players! It blatantly ignores please from people young and old to keep the site running. All they seem to care about is the revenue. I understand from a business perspective the cost of things is important, but they should consider the cost to the children as well. Nearly everyone who plays VMK currently is willing to pay to keep it open; the only ones who would not are those who can not afford it. There is such an out pouring of sentiment about this issue on various sites dedicated to keeping VMK alive. Many of the contacts to Disney that we have available to us as customers have been blocked off since VMK recently reported its up coming closure on May 21, 2008. I only hope my plea to you will not also fall on deaf ears. VMK has become like a family to us… a network, a support group… that would be lost because of the disregard of a few people. Please, help spread the word and make the facts known about this issue that means so much too so many people.



please also fill out my survey. i hope to enhance my future letters with the data i collect. do not stop trying what ever you do. there is always hope as long as someone is willing to fight!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=d10sO4UvDJJLmvr41e0xBQ_3d_3d

 

[cat_herder]

Many warm hugs for her and you.

 

[LuckyOrchidEffect]

VMK has provided the magic of your daughter's company, as well as the deeply formed friendships a community of any kind can build. I pray, for her sake, and for the many wayward children of all ages who have come to find a home in VMK, that Disney will keep these doors open! Pixes and fairy dust. I'm wishing upon a star for everyone.

 

[teriyaki]

My 12 year old DD with autism has never felt the connection to her peers in the real world in the way she has for her VMK friends. She gets excited to see who is playing when she logs on and she initiates interaction with players, which she would never do in real life. When her twin sister was diagnosed with leukemia and her routine became totally unpredictable, VMK was a constant, and as long as she could access a computer and play, she was OK. VMK was invaluable to both daughters during the last year and a half while our lives have gone crazy.

She says her life will never be good now that VMK is closing.

Smackeralchick on VMK

 

[AmberDaze]

Big hugs and lots of pixie dust to you and your family. Big hugs and pixie dust to everyone.

 

[MissVMK678:0)]

vmk vmk... look wat u have given... a chance to change lifes

 

[Belle1997]

My 12 year old DD with autism has never felt the connection to her peers in the real world in the way she has for her VMK friends. She gets excited to see who is playing when she logs on and she initiates interaction with players, which she would never do in real life. When her twin sister was diagnosed with leukemia and her routine became totally unpredictable, VMK was a constant, and as long as she could access a computer and play, she was OK. VMK was invaluable to both daughters during the last year and a half while our lives have gone crazy.

She says her life will never be good now that VMK is closing.

Smackeralchick on VMK

When it was announced my heart just went out to these girls that we have grown to know. Hugs