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On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, the Unconventional Foundation for Autism and MTV featured Current Trends Hair Studio and Strikes Da Barber provided free hair cuts to Autistic and other Special Needs children in an effort to raise awareness for Autism and Medical Cannabis.  Mieko Hester Perez, founder of the Unconventional Foundation for Autism and mother of Joey, organized the event. Supporters in attendance included Chronic Tacos (non-medicated!), VH1 Reality Show "Tool Academy's", Charm Brittain, Chadd McKeen with his lovely staff of ladies from the Otherside Farms, and Ajnag.

My childhood friend Johnny "Stash" Stashenko and I arrived in Lake Forest at Current Trends around 11:30AM just moments after Mieko wrapped up with Channel 7 News. Outside the hair shop was her 10 year old Autistic son Joey, calmly and patiently sitting in his wheel chair. I had never met Joey in person before but had seen him on TV and in images online as I have helped support him by sharing links to his struggle and inspirational story. Mieko introduced me to her little guy, “Say Hi to Devin, Joey!” I smiled and said, "What's up Joey!" When he smiled back affectionately & confidently, I gave him a high five, and we instantly exchanged positive vibrations. Mieko has given me a great gift, a new title of sorts, by saying I am "Joey's big brother from another mother." What an amazing honor! Now I have another lil' bro...have one already, but he's taller than me at 6'2".

Background on Joey's Journey

I first became aware of Joey’s story about a year ago, when on ABC’s Good Morning America, Mieko brought his success with medical cannabis out of the infamous closet for the public masses to see. She courageously presented their journey to the rest of the world.

Around that time, Joey was near death, emaciated and not eating. "My son had self-injurious behaviors," Mieko explains. "He was a danger to himself and others. You could see the bones in his chest. He was going to die." Mieko was left with two options, passively & painfully watch her son waste away till death claimed him or aggressively find a solution. It goes without saying as any loving mother would do, Mieko chose the latter.

Medical Cannabis brownies....

Mieko personally has never used cannabis. So naturally, at first, she too was rather skeptical, not to mention that her father along with most other family members and friends scoffed at the mere idea. Her enlightenment came after extensive research and reading about other parents of autistic children who were finding positive results with the medicinal herb. "At first I did some research, and I found a doctor who actually had a protocol for medical marijuana in children diagnosed with Autism," Mieko Hester-Perez of Fountain Valley, California, told the Good Morning America audience. It was not until she decided to put it to the test and actually feed Joey Medical Cannabis brownies that she realized the result of her actions, almost instantaneously! Joey enjoyed an increased appetite, and his elated Mom watched first hand as Medical Cannabis saved her son’s life and continues to do so.

Not only did Joey begin to eat again and put on the weight he so desperately needed just to survive, he began to thrive, as well. Joey soon showed other signs of improvement & growth. He started to follow instructions, making sounds, and he even began dancing to rhythms. Bright blue sunny skies were suddenly overhead.

Today, Joey is growing and continues his forward motion.

More info on Joey's Story - http://uf4a.org/

Joey Eating some Chronic Tacos!

Why Unconventional Foundation for Autism?

Mieko approached many Autism organizations and enthusiastically presented Joey’s journey, but only got cringed upon. After no positive re-enforcement and overwhelmed with frustration, Mieko and her attorney, Ted Cromwell, formed the Unconventional Foundation for Autism to raise awareness about the success of not-so-conventional Cannabis based treatments. This Ying and Yang duo have been holding events that have attracted mothers and fathers from around the country, including a movement of support from a variety of venues and areas.

On Friday June 4, 2010, Joey, Mieko, and her attorney Ted Cromwell will be featured in an upcoming ABC 20/20 piece on Medical Marijuana and how families of special needs children have seen vast improvements in the quality of life for the entire family, especially their children.

Compassion at Current Trends Hair Studio

Current Hair Trends Hair Studio and Strikes Da Barber stand out. Strikes and Current Trends have been featured on MTV with Ultimate Fighter Daniel Abaddy, and they are rated among My FOX LA’s Top Hair Studios in Orange County. Furthermore, they have held free hair cut events for other autistic children in the past.

Tattooed from neck to toe, Strikes Da Barber along w/ his crew, would appear at first sight to be rough and tough, SoCal bad boys, and not the usual autism-associated individuals. These "inked" out barbers break the mold, bursting with compassion at every trim.

These guys are leading a call for more business owners and celebrities to become more socially responsible and help raise awareness for Autism.  Mieko is waiting for you!

Joey's Support

The special day that Joey had his hair cut attracted a diverse crowd, beginning with Channel 11 news. Strikes had invited his friend, Charm Brittain of VH1’s Reality Show, Tool Academy, who has never used Cannabis himself and knew little about it but wanted to support Joey. Chronic Tacos, a popular Southern California Mexican food spot, catered the event with “Chronic” carne asada and chicken tacos. Chad McKeen of Otherside Farms, one of Joey’s medicine providers, was also there with an entourage of beautiful and cannabis knowledgeable ladies.

Yea that’s right, Joey is a super fresh young super star, with unbridled spirit and soul behind him!'

Breaking the Marijuana Stigma

Stereotypes do not fit the shirt when it comes to the Unconventional Foundation for Autism.

Joey’s grandfather, Bobby Hester, who grew up in the 60’s during the “reefer madness” era, was so against his daughter giving "marijuana” to Joey that he did not speak to her for an extensive period of time, until he showed up at Current Trends that day.

In an excerpt from Bobby’s interview with me, he said,

"She found out that it was something that she could try, and after she tried it, it made a great difference for Joey. That’s what this whole thing is about, it is about Joey having a better quality of life."

"In the beginning I was kind of hesitant, but now that I see his development, he wasn’t even making sounds when he was growing, but now that she has tried the medical marijuana, he is making sounds, he is developing almost normally.

This is the same kid that wouldn’t say a word or hold any contact with me, and now he does. And now he reacts to verbal commands, which I didn’t see him do prior to medical marijuana.

I think parents should not be afraid to try something to help their kids, if you really love your kids (pause)…. if you really love your kids…. you will go out of your way to at least research and try to find out something that is going to help them. That’s the bottom line, helping your kid.”

Joey Jammin to the Vibrations!

Joey sat peacefully in his wheel chair as Strikes Da Barber got surgical with the trimmer, evening the ends of Joey’s curls and lining up his sides, keepin him fresh for the ladies! Playing in the background was the IRIE song, "Tightrope," by the old school roots reggae band, Steele Pulse. Joey smiled looking into the mirror and suddenly began dancing rhythmically back and forth to the positive vibrations of the Caribbean sounds. As I was looking through the camera, I commented to Joey's grandfather, "Joey is Jammin," and he replied, "Yes he is!"

I was truly grateful to be around such positive people and energy.

For those unaware of the limitations Autism can impose on a child, an act as simple as getting a hair cut or picking up a soda can without a mess, is a major accomplishment to both the child and the parents.

Respect to Chronic Tacos, Otherside Farms, and Charm Brittain for showing support. At the days end, Charm went as far as having Strikes design a cannabis leaf on the right side of his head!

Maximum respect and thanks to Strikes Da Barber and the crew at Current Trends Hair Studio for keepin cuts fresh for the kids!

Another potent Unconventional Foundation for Autism event with Mieko Hester Perez!

Deliver me oh my Father;
From the downpressers, set me free!
Got me walking, on a tightrope,
Can't afford to buck my toe, no!
And as long as Babylon is my foe now,
I will have hope in my soul.
Just can't keep me down.
Just can't keep me down.
Just can't keep me down;
Really just can't keep me.
Got me walking on a tightrope,
Never, never say die.
Reach the mountain high!

"Tightrope" Lyrics http://www.jah-lyrics.com/index.php?songid=3834

Joey's Story is more than a Current Trend. It's the future...

ONELOVE
By Devin H. Calloway
Photos by Devin H. Calloway and John Stashenko

Strikes Representing the Unconventional Foundation for Autism

The Grass is Always Greener at Otherside Farms

Joey and His Mama Mieko

Joey and His Grandfather Bobby

Natasha interviewing the fellas at Current Trends

The Chronic!

Mieko and Her attorney Ted Cromwell

Charm doesn't even use cannabis but he supports it on the side of his head!

The lovely ladies from the Otherside Farms with Charm Brittain

Good lookin on the shape up Strikes, was getting a little ragga muffin!

Joey and His Sister Rebbecca!

Joey's Story is more than a Current Trend. It's the future...

Related Links

Unconventional Foundation for Autism - http://uf4a.org

ABC Today Show - http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AutismNews/mother-son-marijuana-treat-autism/story?id=9153881

Wikipedia Autism - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Autism Facts - http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis_factsstats

Current Trends Hair Studio - http://www.myspace.com/currenttrends

Strikes Da Barber - http://www.facebook.com/STRIKESDABARBER

Other Side Farms - http://othersidefarms.com/

Charm Brittain -

Autism - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism