2008 WALK FOR AUTISM

SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Today's Autism Walk was a wonderful success. There was money raised for autism research and services, a resource fair for local parents to have access to businesses, services and programs in Sonoma County, and fun activities for kids to do... plus a great deal of support, in smiles and hope all around!

I took Megan and Thomas to the event by myself, because Matt was working today, but we met up with our darling SSU student, Jennifer, there, so I ended up getting to enjoy the day even more. We saw lots of folks we know from the SSU program and a local parent support group, and even a former choir member friend of Megan's, there to support her brother who has autism. It's amazing to realize how many people are impacted by autism, every day, in some way or another...

Thomas was a little hesitant about the crowds, so we spent some time hanging out on the periphery of the event, under a tree or two, or just on a sloping hillside in the main quad. The sun was shining brightly, but the wind kept the air nippy -- thank goodness Jennifer knew where mochas were being sold! I was flexible about the whole day, so just being there was good enough for me.

Participants have been raising money for today's walk for a few months. Some teams had elaborate names and matching shirts for their groups; others just matched by the smiles on their faces. When the walk began, various teams passed under the giant arch of blue and white balloons by the stage and followed a route marked by signs and puzzle pieces taped down on the walkway. The puzzle pieces had bits of information on them like "Autism affects 1 in every 150 children." The walk curled around campus and ended up back in the quad, with a celebration of each "finisher" to cross the finish line.

We hung back in the quad and used the quiet lull to make use of the jumpie houses, but it was impressive to see the multi-colored crowds snake their way across campus. There were strollers and wheelchairs, helper dogs and family pets, grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads, uncles and aunts, teachers and students, and kids of every description and age in the crowd. For them, the statistics were more personal: the 1 was a loved one.

Someone came up to me with a flip camera and asked my name and why I was there. I replied that I have a son with autism, and this event was a glorious opportunity to bring awareness to the world. What I didn't get to say was how incredibly lucky I felt to have a community that cares as much as Sonoma County does, and how grateful I am that we live here! The lonely feeling of diagnosis is made a lot less so when you can share with others, and support one another. 

More Autism Walks are being held all across the country, raising money, awareness, and hope. I'm so glad that we could be a part of our area's event! For more information, go to www.autismspeaks.org.