My son is most sincere in his invite. (we researched where to send his invite )He made his own invitation list for his “Crossing Over ” ceremony to Boy Scouts.My son has come a long way since he was diagnosed with Autism at age 3.I am so grateful to our physician Dr. Janice Prontnicki who strongly encouraged us to join Scouting ( she is Finn’s Neuro- Developmental Pediatrician ). Her encouragement to ” Main Stream ” Finn in social groups and organizations instead of hospital based support and social groups.It was the best decision we ever made to involve him in scouting. It not only benefited Finnbar, but our whole family as well. My husband John and I are both leaders to our sons Weblos II and Wolf dens. It as added to our family unity, closeness and being together as family doing things which is lost so much in society today.

Finnbar has truly grown from being a self conscious, reluctant, shy and clingy child to a more confident, “Try It ” Scout and boy.We have discovered many things together. His favorite activities in Cub Scouting are camping, birdwatching, archery, BB guns,and hiking. This kid once had so many sensory issues from being unable to walk barefoot on dirt, sand, grass, and getting dirty, is now one of the “dirtiest ” scouts. I have the stains to prove it ! He is constantly barefoot and is thoroughly immersed in outdoor ,nature activities . I never thought the day would come when dirt was not a “freakout”, now the norm .

Our cub scout pack is a “Hidden Gem “so to speak because of the special group of Cub Scouts in Toms River Pack 175 and Boy Scouts Troop 175 ( both of Toms River, N.J. ). We’ve attracted more boys in our county with Autism, severe ADHD, Learning disabilities, Hearing Impaired,Developmental Delays and other disabilities that happened by happenstance.Why you may wonder, because of word of mouth from parent to parent. The parents and scouts felt more comfortable because they weren’t DIFFERENT but the norm and majority in our Pack and Troop.This resulted in a Win Win all around for the kids and parents.Our crossing over will be the biggest thus for and the troop will now be closest to over fifty Boy Scouts. Did I also mention, we also have about 45 % of single parents too! Our pack and troop benefits because we have so many trades people as our parents, and their talents utilized in many ways. We’re just a bunch of hard working middle- class parents who just happen to be together in Scouting with kids of disabilities.A great many of our kids were also effected by Hurricane Sandy and that did not dampen their spirits it made us flourish even more.

Our theme is Famous Boy Scouts. Each table will be named after different scouts with facts and what they did. My sons table happens to be the Mike Rowe Table

So this is why I am also sending an additional invite to you to cover all the bases.A scout is prepared.

Finnbar Spencer Maloney

Would like you to share in his

“Crossing Over Ceremony”

to

Boy Scout Troop 175

Sunday , March 3, 2013

2:00 pm

East Dover First Aide

535 Garfield Avenue

Toms River, New Jersey

Ceremony and Luncheon reception to follow.

Kindly Respond by February 21,2013

to John and Allison Maloney

732-269-2750

Thanks Mike for taking the time to read this;and if you were able to come; be assured it would be secret, private, and surprise and certainly not crazy media circus event.

Scouts Honor !

Warmly,

Allison Maloney R.N.

Nice essay… miss your funny blogs.

Hope you enjoy the superbowl. Go 49ers!!!