Virginia Breen and Elizabeth Bonker

Elizabeth Bonker is a talented young woman who, like any other 14-year-old, is simply trying to discover her place in this world – a task made infinitely more difficult by autism. Unable to speak, Ms. Bonker nevertheless illuminates the inner world of autism through the poems she types one finger at a time. In her recently published book, I Am in Here, she implores us through her poetry to look past the unusual behaviors of autism to see the intelligent people beyond the condition. Bonker wants to be a voice for those who cannot yet speak for themselves. Her goal is to help parents, doctors and educators understand that children affected by autism are not problems to be endured, but hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Virginia Breen is the mother of three beautiful children, two of whom are profoundly affected by autism. She has contributed inspirational stories from the journey to Elizabeth’s poetry in I Am in Here. Besides working to heal her children, Breen has more than 25 years’ experience as a venture capitalist, investing in emerging growth companies, and she currently sits on a number of corporate and non-profit boards. Previously, she studied computer science and electrical engineering at Harvard, business at Columbia and eastern philosophies in Singapore. She says even in the darkest days, she knew Elizabeth was in there.

Talks
Science Kits

17:35

When you finally find your voice, what do you most want to say?

Virginia Breen and Elizabeth Bonker

2012

When you finally find your voice, what do you most want to say? (Virginia Breen and Elizabeth Bonker)

Science Kit for Virginia Breen & Elizabeth Bonker

According the Center of Disease Control, autism now affects 1 in 88 children under eight years old.We are facing a national health crisis.

So many are suffering… but there is hope because autism is a treatable medical condition.Our website www.IAmInHereBook.com contains information including “Navigating the Medical Maze” (www.iaminherebook.com/?page_id=279).It all starts with finding the right doctor and the Autism Resource Institute (www.autism.com) is a great resource to find a doctor and results for what is helping our kids get better.

The educational maze is just as important to navigate and there are resources on our website about working with your school district (http://www.iaminherebook.com/?page_id=275).

If you know an adult or child who is nonverbal, finding a communication method is crucial.The Rapid Prompting Method was the breakthrough that led to all of Elizabeth’s subsequent successes. You can buy the book Understanding Autism through Rapid Prompting Method by Soma Mukhopadhyay or visit her website (www.halo-soma.org). It has made all the difference to Elizabeth and thousands of others.

On our website, we have listed books (http://www.iaminherebook.com/?page_id=290) and websites (http://www.iaminherebook.com/?page_id=286) that have helped us.

If you would like to read more of Elizabeth’s poetry and stories of our journey, I Am In Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism who Cannot Speak but Finds her Voice is available in hardcover and as an e-book at your favorite retailer.

Please stay in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter at IAmInHereBook.

Blessings,

Virginia & Elizabeth