Walk Now for Autism a Success!

I am so excited to tell you that the 2008 Walk Now for Autism was a success. Thanks to all the people that helped put it together and the ones who got out there and walked. The grand total for the event is over fifty-six thousand dollars. That is so cool. I think each year we will see a dramatic increase in the amount we raise. With that money, Autism Speaks is doing great things in furthering the advance in research and knowledge about autism.

On behalf of Zion's Tribe, I want to personally thank you for supporting our team: Whether it be giving money, buying a t-shirt, or sharing your friendship with us. I am happy to say we raised two thousand and fifteen dollars this year for Autism Speaks. I am so excited to know that our team made a difference. As I see Zion thinking and playing more like any other five year old boy, I hope that the money we raised goes to more awareness and goes to advance research into cures and causes. Zion is doing so well because he was diagnosed so early. This awareness will help other parents recognize the symptoms at a very young age and get intervention earlier. That is the key to getting the upper hand on this disorder.

Earlier this week, a neighbor who knows about our personal journey with autism and our involvement with Autism Speaks, stopped by the house. He wanted to know if he could share our contact information with some friends whose daughter has just been diagnosed (at age two). Of course we obliged and I was remained about the difference that Autism Speaks has made in the few short years since we were in that position of receiving what seemed like a hopeless diagnosis. From resources for families such as the "100 day kit" to internationally coordinated research efforts and awareness campaigns. Autism Speaks is making an impact at many levels.

We are so happy to see the dramatic changes that are taking place in our son. He is now fully communicating with us and we can understand most of what he says. His understanding of what we say to him is growing exponentially. He spends most of his day in a regular Kindergarten class doing the same things the other kids do. The Floor-time therapy that we were once striving to learn is now fully applied in our home, like it is second nature. We still sometimes go back to the complete basics of commands and hand over hand manipulation. But as the time goes on our little boy is coming out of his shell. He is a social being, wanting attention and affection more than any of my children. He is a sweetheart!

Anyway, thank you for all your support. We are already excited about next years Autism Walk and are planning some team fundraisers like a trial run or mountain bike race. Keep checking in with the website. God Bless.

Tara