Students, Consumers, Families, Supporters, Musicians, and Advocates are welcome to this FREE educational and inspiring musical event!!!

WHEN: Friday, February 17th at 5:30pm

WHERE: The University of Alabama, Gordon Palmer, Room 208

Renowned flutist Paul McAuliffe will be sharing about his journey of self-discovery and his late-life diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome (High Functioning Autism) to the backdrop of his own performance playing various ethnic flutes.

Paul McAuliffe is a musician specializing in ethnic, wooden flute making and playing! He also found out late in life that he lives with Autism. Paul brings his passion for bamboo and wood flutes from all over the world to present a unique program of music, autism education, and autism advocacy. He will share his own autistic journey of self-discovery, play soothing music on a wide variety of world/ethnic flutes, discuss what it's like living on the spectrum in a neurotypical world, and tell why Asperger's kids will be the future inventors and innovators. His goal is to promote multicultural diversity and understanding, i.e., to convince people that there is much more to music than what is normally presented by commercial media outlets.

Supported by: NAMI-UA; the Autism-Spectrums Disorders Clinic; and the UA Psychology Department

Please see a one minute sample of Paul McAuliffe on CNN's "Health Minute" - http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2011/12/01/hm-adult-autism.cnn

Or visit his facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/paul.mcauliffe2

NAMI-UA surpassed our goal of raising $250 for the walk held on 10/16 on the University of Alabama Campus. We brought in $550.00 towards the walk!

NAMI-UA was the biggest supporter beside the fraternity that designated “Out of the Darkness” as their philanthropy this year.

Altogether the walk raised close to $3,000 in support of the Alabama chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

At the walk, we heard from a member of the Alabama chapter of the AFSP. Your donations went directly to the "More than Sad" program that helps teenagers learn about depression and when/how to talk to someone if they are feeling depressed or suicidal (as well as how to identify when a friend is in need - impossible in some situations, but more obvious in others). Thanks to your donations - Alabama is the FIRST STATE in the country to institute this educational program in EVERY private AND public high school; a very worthwhile cause.

To give you some context, 1 in 12 Alabama high school students have attempted some form of suicidal behavior (not just thought about it). Last year, 676 Alabamians completed suicide (whereas 391 instances of homicide were reported). Our state and its young students will greatly benefit from your generosity.

Finally, there was a UA student who spoke to the walkers and volunteers about his sponsor who completed suicide this past year. His sponsor struggled with depression most of his adult life and tried many forms of treatment to lessen his pain. Hearing this young man talk about his mentor was very moving.

This UA student closed his emotional story by challenging us all to ask ourselves everyday (as his sponsor did to him) "Have you helped anyone today?" His sponsor believed that helping others is therapy for the soul.

As part of the NAMI family, NAMI-UA shares this motto and we greatly appreciate your support in this and future causes that help us fulfill this aim.

Sincerely,

NAMI-UA