Viki Satkiewicz Gayhardt
Writer, author, singer, songwriter, advocate, exceptional parent, & exhausted!
Viki Satkiewicz Gayhardt is the mother of two lovely children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as an aunt of a teenaged nephew with the disorder.
She has co-authored two parent handbooks, "Crossing Bridges: A Parent's Perspective on Coping after a Child is Diagnosed with Autism" and "At Home With Autism: Three Parent's Stories." Mrs. Gayhardt has also composed and performed a musical recording, "Journey to Acceptance," depicting her emotional journey into the realm of autism.
The organizations in which Viki has been involved include the Collaborative Genetic Linkage Study of Autism, Parent to Parent of NH, NH's Interagency Coordinating Council, the NH Autism Coalition, the University of NH's Project TEAM, and the University Affiliated Program's Parent Leadership Series and Advanced Leadership Series on Education. She takes pleasure in consulting with graduate and undergraduate interns from a variety of disciplines who are studying the home and family aspects of autism.
For three years Viki led parent support groups, answered inquiries, and wrote a bi-monthly newsletter for a support and advocacy project in New Hampshire's greater seacoast area. She also launched a local support network for Parents of Identified Students in Education (POISE.) Currenty, Viki serves on the board of directors for the Autism Society of New Hampshire.
Mrs. Gayhardt enjoys sharing the trials and triumphs of her children and nephew in the public forum and has presented at a variety of conferences including the ADaPT Conference on Autism, the NH Pediatric Society Conference on Autism, and the AIDEing Young Children with Autism/PDD in Typical Settings series.
Viki offers a straightforward workshop entitled "Rolling Over and Looking Up" for parents struggling with moving forward after the life-changing event of having a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
In April, 2001 and 2002, Viki presented an emotional performance of her autism related songs to a tearful crowd at the first and second annual NH Autism Awareness Rally.
When not immersed in disability related projects, Viki enjoys getting goofy with her kids, reading dysfunctional family novels, and consuming nefarious quantities of chocolate.
For workshop, conference, and performance availability and information, please contact Viki at VSGayhardt@cs.com
Journey To Acceptance
As parents, we all have our ways of expressing our grief and hope over our children's disability.
The diagnosis of both my kids brought me back to my long-lost love of writing & performing music.
This was to be a private, healing project for me, but I was urged to share this music with others in hopes that it would help touch those walking in similar shoes.
Any proceeds from the sale of "Journey" will be put toward another recording in the future depicting my arrival at acceptance and what waits for us beyond.
Please send check or money order (payable to Viki Gayhardt) for $10.00 per tape or $12.00 per CD (s/h included) to:
Viki Gayhardt
47 Middle Rd.
Deerfield, NH 03037
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Journey To Acceptance is a labor of love, a collection of four original songs written and performed by the author.
"Journey" was recorded and mixed professionally with state of the art recording equipment. Our audio cassette tapes are professionally duplicated and factory packaged.
Our CD's are burned on a PC from a DAT machine mastered CD from the recording studio. Quality is guaranteed.
Listener's comments on "Journey to Acceptance"
"I feel like I have a much clearer understanding of the issues around PDD."
"Most parents would be touched by these songs because they reflect the hopes and dreams we all have for our kids."
"The anquish, hope, and love in your songs is akin to what I've felt in the last six years. This tape could be a source of comfort and inspiration for a lot of people. Thanks for sharing your music." ~Julie R. Churchton, MD
"Your Journey to Acceptance is WONDERFUL! Thank you for creating the tape to share with others."
~Jo B. Center Sandwich, NH
"I have played your tape over and over so many times already that I'll soon need to purchase another one."
"I cannot think of a nicer gift than to dedicate your songs to your love for your family and how you must inspire other families with your amazing gift. I am as moved each time I listen to the lyrics and the music as I was when you first played it..." ~Alan Robichaud, Executive Director of The Developmental Disabilites Council of NH.
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