Yesterday I participated in the inaugural Hope Walk to raise money for Autism United, a new organization that provides support services for people with Autism on Long Island, New York. Proceeds from the fund raiser will fund two initial projects...the Harvey Weisenberg Resource Center and a comprehensive study of people with Autism in the region. This is a pilot program that will influence services and research nationally,, My team...Sophie's Team, in honor of my niece...raised more than $12,300 from friends and family. The organization as a whole raised more than $82,000. I thank everyone who participated either with a donation or moral support. As a first effort for a start up organization it was 
spectacular!
In 1988 the masses were introduced to the idea of Autism with the release of Rainman starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. Bob Wright, former Chairman of NBC Universal, and his wife Suzanne were the force of nature that created Autism Speaks. In the last few weeks Jenny McCarthy has been on the talk show circuit talking about her new book, Louder Than Words chronicling the story of how her son is recovering from Autism. (By the way, she has been emphatic about using the term "has Autism", as in "has a 
disease", rather than "is Autistic" as in defining a personal trait.) Holly Robinson Peete is also speaking out about her son's struggle with Autism. Cathy Moriarty, Chaka Khan, Joe Mantegna, Anthony Edwards, Didi Conn. All have family members who are afflicted.
Personally, I can think offhand of 15 people in my life with family members who are afflicted. Every day they talk to doctors and therapists and teachers and holistic healers and anyone else who can give them direction and hope.
As to be expected, there are dissenting views. Autism Speaks merged with Cure Autism Now (C.A.N.) and there are many who feel the organization leadership is tied too closely to corporate health care and pharmaceuticals to be objective about the potential link between vaccinations and Autism. Most of their research to date seems to have focused on genetics. Others are investigating older fathers, testosterone in the mother's womb, and related theories. Others think the preservative in the vaccinations...thimerosal, is a mercury-based compound used to prolong the efficacy of the vaccines...is the reason. And others thing the vaccinations can trigger a genetic pre-disposition to the disease. It will take a long, long time to sort all of this out and find effective courses of treatment for the 1 out of 150 kids on the Autism spectrum.
One thing is clear, though. There are families out there who are in desperate need of guidance. Like the couple with a child that is exhibiting all of the signs but they are in denial. And like the woman who has been getting advice from her son's school to have him tested and can't wrap her mind around the potential diagnosis. Autism United was created for them and other families like them. There is a family in Mineola, New York who has a daughter with Autism. Recently she left the house before dawn, crossed a major intersection, climbed up on a truck and stayed there until the driver showed up at 7 AM for his shift. They are a family of modest means. Autism United is guiding them through the New York State bureaucracy. It turns out that the state will pay for installation of alarms and fence in the yard so they can sleep at night.
Yep...Sunday was a great day!
