"Be a leader to others to make the world a better place." ~Sam Wessels~
Sam Wessels with Jolly Old St. Nick, also Mayor of Rock Rapids at the time. Although now retired as mayor, Santa continues to keep a watchful eye that Sam is being a good boy.
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Meeting Santa Claus, actually sitting on his lap and telling him what he wanted for Christmas, was an especially proud moment in Sam's journey back from the abyss of autism! We had tried unsuccessfully a number of times previous to this day to partake in the traditional child meets Santa tradition of this Blessed holiday season, without success. But on this day, December 18, 2005, Sam not only sat on Santa's lap successfully, he told him what he wanted for Christmas! In doing so, both Sam and Santa gave Mom and Dad the most precious gift they could have ever dared to ask for, HOPE!
BELIEVE!! |
As Sam continued to grow and improve, he and his mom set out to change the world for the better for those living with autism. On April 27, 2007, Sam spoke to Senator John McCain, while at a campaign stop in in Sioux City, Iowa. Although not an easy feat for Sam, he asked the senator, "If you are president, will you help me and all of the others like me? I have autism." No one in that crowded past capacity room expected such a bold inquiry from such a small boy, least of all, Senator McCain.
Although Senator McCain assured Sam that he would do everything within his power to not only help those with autism, but to also find the cause and put an end to this modern day epidemic, Sam and his mom Lin forged on, perusing all of the 2008 presidential candidates.
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On November 6, 2007, Sam and Lin once again caught up with Senator John McCain while campaigning in Rock Rapids, Iowa. This time, Senator McCain promised to meet privately with Lin and a group of autism advocates at a time and location of her choosing.
The following is a formal letter of request submitted to the United States Senate HELP committee by Senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman. It is the direct result of that private meeting which took place in Washington D.C. in Senator McCain's formal senate office on November 20, 2007.
Albeit an earnest and honorable attempt to effect change on behalf of individuals with autism and those who love and care for them, the United States HELP Committee never responded to the request. As history would have it, Senator John McCain lost the 2008 Presidential Election to then Illinois Senator Barack Obama. Senator McCain continues to serve his home state of Arizona. He has yet to accomplish anything significant where autism is concerned.
Sam Wessels with his dad Mark, his Nana and Nampa Baldridge, and mom Lin at the Green Our Vaccines march, promenading through the streets of Washington D.C. to Capitol Hill. The monumental march occurred on June 4, 2008. It was hosted by Jenny McCarthy and then boyfriend Jim Carrey. THOUSANDS of people touched by autism attended and trudged through our Capitol in hopes of prompting our county's lawmakers to urgent action. Most marched with their loved one(s) with autism in tow.
GOV was Sam's first encounter with Jenny McCarthy, but not his last! Jenny and Jim were AWESOME, very friendly and approachable. They made it FUN! They were all about the families! And of course, Jim was very, very funny!!
Lin Wessels, Jenny McCarthy, Sam Wessels, Jim Carrey and Mark Wessels.
Lin Wessels, Jenny McCarthy, Sam Wessels, Jim Carrey and Mark Wessels.
While in Chicago, IL, attending the AutismOne/Generation Rescue conference this past May (2013), Sam and Jenny's paths once again crossed. Jenny was a keynote and celebrity panelist. She was gracious enough to offer autographs. Jenny McCarthy actually encouraged Sam to draw on her picture. He gave her a mustache, a monocle and a magnifying glass, so she could be a detective. She laughingly smiled, telling him this was her favorite picture! She was so sweet!! She seemed every bit as taken with Sam as he was with her!
While Sam sincerely enjoyed meeting and spending time with Jenny McCarthy (he thought she was very nice and fun to be around), he was especially enamored with Alexis Wineman, whom he also had the pleasure of meeting at the AutismOne/Generation Rescue 2013 conference. Alexis is Miss Montana 2012 as well Miss America America's Choice 2012! She also has autism. In fact, she is the world's first contestant with autism to ever even compete for the Miss America title. She made it to the top fifteen, winning America's choice award by online popular voting! GO, Alexis, GO!! We're so proud of you!!
Sam had the good fortune to meet another celebrity mom while at the 2013 AutismOne/Generation Rescue conference. This is Jacqueline Laurita of Real Houswives of New Jersey. She and husband Chris were also celebrity panelists for the conference. Their young son was diagnosed with autism at three. She also has a column in Parenting magazine entitled, "My New Normal". She also stars on Real Housewives of New Jersey. It is our hope that she and Chris were somehow inspired by Sam, having met and spoken to him in person. He has given many vision and HOPE!
Robert F. Kennedy, JR. gave the Keynote Address at AutismOne on May 24, 2013. He serves as Vice Chair and Chief Prosecuting Attorney for Riverkeeper and Chairman of Waterkeeper Alliance. Mr. Kenney was instrumental in the publication of Unanswered Questions, a peer-reviewed investigation of compensated cases of vaccine-induced brain injury. He is also the author of the article Deadly Immunity. RFK, JR. is a graduate of Harvard University. He studied at the London School of Economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. Following graduation he attended Pace University School of Law, where he was awarded a Masters Degree in Environmental Law. Sam's mom, Lin Wessels, was the moderator during his Q and A session after his speech.
Talk about good fortune!! A Starbucks in one hand and Sam Wessels in the other! How lucky can any one person be? This world renown gentleman is none other than, Dr. Andrew Wakefield. Dr. Wakefield changed the world of autism and the way autism is viewed forever. Because of the courage and tenacity of doctors such as Andy Wakefield, autism is no longer viewed as purely genetic and nontreatable. Thanks to the work of the Rimlands and Wakefileds of the world, kids like Sam are getting better!!
This kind face belongs to none other than Dan Olmsted, Editor of Age of Autism, Daily Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemic. He is also co-author of The Age of Autism: Mercury, Medicine, and a Man-Made Epidemic. Mr. Olmsted is an investigative reporter and former senior editor of the United Press International (UPI). He has been investigating and writing about the autism epidemic since 2005. Dan is yet another of the tireless autism activists and advocates, warriors in short, who refuse to allow the questions of the autism epidemic to go unanswered.
All the ladies love Sam, and he them! Sam is pictured here with National Autism Association President Wendy Fournier and Co-Founder Lori McIlwain with Sam Wessels. Sam independently raised $1,200 for NAA in coordination with his screening of The United States of Autism. He delivered it to them personally while visiting AutismOne. An additional $3,000 was raised for autism causes (local and national) in conjunction with ticket sales from Sam's premiere of The United States of Autism. That event was held on April 14, 2013, in Luverne, MN.
Sam first met Richard Everts on June 30, 2010. Richard is the director of the film, The United States of Autism. In this photo, Rich was getting to know Sam, while in our backyard during our family's shoot for the documentary. Thus began a new chapter in Sam's journey with autism.
The United States of Autism film crew with the Wessels family.
From left to right, front to back:
Rene Duran, Director of Photography; Corky, family pet; Richard Everts, Director, Producer, Executive Producer; Rosleny Ubinus, Production Assistant, Key Grip; Sam Wessels, star; Lin Wessels, Sam's mom; Casandra Lees, Camera Operator, Gaffer; Mark Wesels, Sam's dad.
From left to right, front to back:
Rene Duran, Director of Photography; Corky, family pet; Richard Everts, Director, Producer, Executive Producer; Rosleny Ubinus, Production Assistant, Key Grip; Sam Wessels, star; Lin Wessels, Sam's mom; Casandra Lees, Camera Operator, Gaffer; Mark Wesels, Sam's dad.
Putting their heads together for the sake of all of those claimed by autism, are Tim Welsh and Sam Wessels. Tim is perhaps better known as Tanner's Dad. He is a tireless, tenacious, persevering autism advocate and activist. His now very well known work in autism advocacy began some years ago when at the age of five, his son Tanner was literally taken by autism, from Tim and his wife Cheri. The Welsh family are among the twenty-one families chosen to participate in the award winning film, The United States of Autism. To say that the work of Tanner's Dad is admirable and nothing short of amazing is an extreme understatement!
Sam and his mom are pictured here with the talented, compassionate and lovely, Cathy Jameson. Cathy "Cat" Jameson is Contributing Editor at "Age of Autism: Daily Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemc". She also carries the distinction of being a co-founder of as well as an author at the "The Thinking Moms' Revolution". Cathy Jameson is known as Mamacita at TMR. Cat Jameson diligently, tirelessly and tenaciously fights for individuals with autism and their families, including her own. Cathy takes full advantage of any and every opportunity afforded her to write about autism, vaccines, and autism causation. She passionately and willingly shares her family's experience with vaccine injury and the long, hard road to recovery. Often also lovingly referred to as CatJam by her friends, Cathy Jameson is an amazing advocate and Mother Warrior by her own rights!
Featured here with Sam is Dr. Brian Hooker. Brian S. Hooker, PhD, PE, was formerly a bioengineer and the team leader for the High Throughput Biology Team and Operations Manager of the DOE Genomics: Genomes to Life (GTL) Center for Molecular and Cellular Systems at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Dr. Hooker is credited as a co-inventor for five patents. He now works as an associate professor at Simpson University. In 1985, Dr. Hooker earned his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California. He earned his master's of science degree in 1988 and his doctorate in 1990, both in biochemical engineering, from Washington State University. Dr. Hooker is well known for his concerns regarding vaccine safety and the conflicts of interest within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is a board member at Focus Autism. He is also the father of a vaccine injured child with a diagnosis of autism. For many years, Dr. Hooker has valiantly fought against the CDC, using the Freedom of Information Act to uncover fraudulent studies published by the CDC concerning vaccines and autism. The information uncovered by Dr. Hooker to date is nothing short of astounding! I have no doubt, you will be reading and hearing much, much more from both of these fine men.
Sam Wessels met Nancy Naeve on September 17, 2014. Sam was dining at Pudge's Pool Hall in Rock Rapids, IA, with his parents Mark and Lin. Nancy was born and raised in Spencer, IA. She graduated in 1990 from from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and a minor inSpanish. In June 1992, Naeve joined the KSFY-TV news team. Currently, Nancy co-anchors with Shawn Cable every weekday morning on KSFY News from 5:00-7:00 AM. Nancy was so taken with Sam and impressed with his autism activism and advocacy work, she included him in this spot on KSFY Morning News with Shawn & Nancy. He truly does touch hearts and move people nearly everywhere he goes!
"Be a leader to others to make the world a better place." ~Sam Wessels~
At 12, wise beyond his years!
At 12, wise beyond his years!
If you are interested in helping to fund Sam in his efforts to effect change for individuals with autism and those who love and care fro them, please follow this link: http://www.gofundme.com/73ysbg
Please don't forget to "like" and share Sam's pages as way of letting him know that you were here and how much you care!
Thank you for visiting Something for Sam!!
Please don't forget to "like" and share Sam's pages as way of letting him know that you were here and how much you care!
Thank you for visiting Something for Sam!!