This Saturday, I’ll be walking in my 16th annual walk for Autism. When I started, Ryan was in first grade. He received a diagnosis of autism when he was 18 months old. When I heard about the first walk, I knew that Ryan and I would definitely be there. I wanted to walk:
- In encouragement of Erie’s children and families impacted by autism
- In appreciation for the outstanding services available for children with autism
- To expand awareness of autism
- To let parents who just received an autism diagnosis know they are not alone
- In thanks for the overwhelming support I have received from my friends and family
- To help boost autism research
- To express my gratitude to the many individuals who have helped Ryan
Ryan at one of his earliest walks
Amazingly, after 16 years, on Saturday I will be walking for these same reasons. However, I do have some new additions:
- In honor of the thousands of adults with autism graduating from school and entering the world of work
- To enlighten employers of our community on how employees with autism can become wonderful assets to their companies
- To reacquaint myself with children and families who once attended our school and have now moved on to exciting new educational opportunities but are always a part of the Barber National Institute family
This day, along with dozens of others across the country, is a strong statement to the world of the compassion, conviction, and commitment of individuals from many walks of life to autism.
To register for the 16th annual Autism Society of NWPA’s Walk, visit:
All About Autism 