I remember the exact moment in 2002 that I knew I was not alone anymore, and there were many more families dealing with Autism than I had realized in my community.
My children were turning 7 and I had not yet found the support that I needed within a group of positive like-minded parents that would be focused on what was possible for our family members. I saw a flyer in the community that there was a walk being held for Autism at the Casperkill a.k.a. the former IBM Country Club in Poughkeepsie. The purpose was not only to raise money for much needed services but also to raise awareness that was not present in those years.
My sister Donna Platt and a close friend Donna K. helped to raise about four-hundred dollars that day and we were going to walk in honor of Robin and Joshua. We came over a hill and there we stood in a sea of people with the sun just coming up over a ridge and the grass was wet and there was a chill in the air but it was a beautiful sight there were at least 500 or 600 people all coming together for the same reason. Some for people in their families and others there just to support their friends. I could feel the chill in the air but there were hot wet tears rolling down my face and that of my sister and as I looked up, I saw the same on my dear friend. It was an overwhelming moment as Michael Brenner, a young man with Autism began singing a song that left us speechless. There were so many people just standing and crying. It was the first walk for autism by a grass roots local organization put together by parents called Autism Directory Services (ADS). My heart was filled with hope and once my tears subsided, I walked around asking people who to talk to that had arranged this walk. They pointed me in the direction of a person named Karen Kosack. She embraced me with open arms and I asked if I could be a part of the group ADS and the next walk.
The rest as they say is history and for the next 10 years and to this day, we are friends. Karen also raises two beautiful children with Autism, Casey and Alexis. Together with this group and many other individuals the walk has raised over $1 Million dollars in the Hudson Valley community. It was never solely about the money; it was about giving back to others the feeling of what I received in 2002. That the newly diagnosed children and their families should never again feel they were walking this path alone. Also, a day where it was “Ok” to be exactly who they were dealing with Autism and behave not as expected but accepted as they were for a special day with their families.
There are so many people in ADS, and later the Hudson Valley Autism Society and the community to thank I could not possibly name them all. However, I do need to name a few Karen Kosack, Stephanie Brenner also a dear friend and her son Michael , Helen (Sis), Peggy M., Mark S. (our only Dad), Ann M. (may she R.I.P.), Carol H., Donna Platt, my extended family and dear friends Donna & Paul K. this work would never have been possible.
There have been many people in my life that have shown immense support to be able to move through the everyday trials that my children now adults face and I can never express the gratitude I feel for finding this tribe in 2002.
Today as our children are now Adults, navigating their path in the world poses new challenges because children with Autism do grow up and many need the same support they needed as children. It is just as challenging now as 1995 and there needs to be more resources supporting them as adults.
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