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The subject of the post from late last month was Ottawa, Ontario, Canada being home to an annual Walk for Autism Speaks Canada. Autism Speaks is North America's leading Autism science and advocacy organisation.
To the west, the Autism Society of WA's Spokane Chapter is a Spokane, Wa.-based nonprofit that promotes lifelong community access for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. It attempts to do this in various ways including through public awareness and advocacy...
Here is a link to a video on Spokane's Autism Walk from almost a year ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A2bJGdjpyc
[source: https://www.krem.com/article/news/lo...8-85f9bdbf588a ]
To the west, the Autism Society of WA's Spokane Chapter is a Spokane, Wa.-based nonprofit that promotes lifelong community access for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. It attempts to do this in various ways including through public awareness and advocacy...
Sunday, [many individuals impacted by Autism, including children with Autism Spectrum Disorders] and Autism advocates walked through Riverfront Park for the Autism Awareness [Walk.]
One participant said he's seen the event grow each year. He said seeing more and more people show out to the annual walk reminds him what a community can do when it works together.
“This year, compared to four years ago, was twice the amount of people we had four years ago," Caleb Rinard said. "And to me, that inspires me. Because it means we can [walk with one another] as a community. And we can put on events that actually matter and bring people light when they have darkness. I appreciate how many people put the effort into coming out and showing that they actually care and they understand what people go through.â€
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In addition to the walk, participants were also able to visit resource and information booths. One of those booths and organizers of the event is the Northwest Autism Center.
Gillian Brundage, center clinical supervisor, said[:]
"[The Center's clients on the Autism Spectrum] don't get to go out and do this very often, Brundage said. "This gives them the opportunity to get out and enjoy a beautiful day."
...Spokane mom Alexandra Mackleit is no stranger to autism. Her five-and-a-half-year-old son, Tyacke, is non-verbal.
Mackleit said even though Tyacke can't tell her how much he loves the annual walk, she said he shows it in other ways.
“He has a button on his tablet there’s a separate folder that he took for a show and tell at school and he said 'hi I’m tyacke, I’m 5 and a half and my favorite thing to do is take a walk with [those individuals closest to him]," Mackleit recalled. "So this is the one day a year we can do all the balloons and all show up for him.â€
Mackleit said she is thankful for the community [and those individuals closest to him that are there for] her son.
"It takes a village," Mackleit said while holding back tears.
Mackleit ...said having simple walks like Sunday's event gives people a chance to do something big by doing something small like walking...
One participant said he's seen the event grow each year. He said seeing more and more people show out to the annual walk reminds him what a community can do when it works together.
“This year, compared to four years ago, was twice the amount of people we had four years ago," Caleb Rinard said. "And to me, that inspires me. Because it means we can [walk with one another] as a community. And we can put on events that actually matter and bring people light when they have darkness. I appreciate how many people put the effort into coming out and showing that they actually care and they understand what people go through.â€
​
In addition to the walk, participants were also able to visit resource and information booths. One of those booths and organizers of the event is the Northwest Autism Center.
Gillian Brundage, center clinical supervisor, said[:]
"[The Center's clients on the Autism Spectrum] don't get to go out and do this very often, Brundage said. "This gives them the opportunity to get out and enjoy a beautiful day."
...Spokane mom Alexandra Mackleit is no stranger to autism. Her five-and-a-half-year-old son, Tyacke, is non-verbal.
Mackleit said even though Tyacke can't tell her how much he loves the annual walk, she said he shows it in other ways.
“He has a button on his tablet there’s a separate folder that he took for a show and tell at school and he said 'hi I’m tyacke, I’m 5 and a half and my favorite thing to do is take a walk with [those individuals closest to him]," Mackleit recalled. "So this is the one day a year we can do all the balloons and all show up for him.â€
Mackleit said she is thankful for the community [and those individuals closest to him that are there for] her son.
"It takes a village," Mackleit said while holding back tears.
Mackleit ...said having simple walks like Sunday's event gives people a chance to do something big by doing something small like walking...
[source: https://www.krem.com/article/news/lo...8-85f9bdbf588a ]
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