AutismCares

Autism Light #238 is AutismCares.

 

AutismCares is a consortium of organizations that has been helping individuals with autism during times of both natural disasters and personal crisis since 2005.  They focus on helping anywhere a disaster occurs and recently they have been working to help victims with autism who were in the path of Hurricane Sandy.

According to their website, the mission of AutismCares is this.

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AutismCares is a consortium of leading autism organizations who have come together to support individuals with autism and their families during natural disasters and other catastrophic life events (Source).

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AutismCares' first national press release was in 2005 as a response to Hurricane Katrina (Source).  Here was a PSA's for AutismCares uploaded in 2007 on YouTube.


Partners: AutismCares 2012 partners include Autism Speaks, Doug Flutie Foundation, Talk About Curing Autism, FedEx, and the Lisa Higgins Foundation.

AutismCares provides information, resources, and grants to individuals with autism who have a need during a time of crisis. One may register online to apply for a grant at the AutismCares application login page.  AutismCares has the following notice on their website where people may go for more information.

The Autism Speaks Autism Response Team is taking calls from families affected by autism and Sandy. Trained staff (both English and Spanish speaking) are available to provide support and to direct callers to information, resources and assistance. Families can call the Autism Response Team at 1-888-288-4762, En Español at 888-772-9050, or email familyservices@autismspeaks.org.

If your family requires access to disaster help and resources: please visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362. If there is an emergency, please call 911. (Source)

For more information on the work of AutismCares visit their website at http://www.autismcares.org.

AutismCares is available not just during a disaster but also during castrophic life events for families with autism. Families facing foreclosure or having emergency needs for things like car repairs have been helped. You can read several testimonies of people helped by AutismCares on their website.  Here is one testimony.

"I wanted to send a note of thanks for giving us much needed help through Autism Cares. It hardly seems enough. The money you sent is going to help us more than you can imagine. We so appreciate Autism Cares and your ability to help those with autism and their families." - LA (Source).

Special thanks to AutismCares and all of it's partners who are helping meet needs for those with autism in times of disasters or personal need. They are truly a light and Hurricane Sandy has reminded us how much they are needed.

Note: There are many other organizations/foundations that have the resources to support people with autism in times of disaster or crisis. They may focus on a specific local, regional, or national area or target a specific group of families, such as military families. In the future Autism Light hopes to share about other organizations that are doing good work and following in the spirit of AutismCares to help those with autism in such needy times.

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Chris and Ivana LePoer

Autism Lights #237 are Chris and Ivana LePoer.

Today's Autism Lights endured a tragedy that no parent should ever have to face. And their constructive response to their loss will potentially be helpful to the future of autism research. Chris and Ivana LePoer are autism parents from Westborough, Massachusetts. Their 4 year old son Alexie LePoer had autism and tragically died from a pool drowning when he wandered away from his apartment on May 13, 2012--Mother's Day. Chris and Ivana LePoer are Autism Lights because after their son's death they quickly donated his brain to the Autism Research Foundation in time for it to be of use for autism research.

After he was diagnosed with autism and before his death, Alexie's parents were engaged in trying to help find answers to the mystery of autism. Chris LePoer said, "If some stranger came into your house and hurt your child, you'd want to know why. It needs to be understood. It needs to be stopped (Source)."

To help make a difference, Chris and Ivana LePoer enrolled in a research study of autism focused on younger siblings, a project overseen in part by Dr. Margaret Bauman at the Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington. After their son Alexie's untimely death they made the ultimate contribution by donating his brain to the Autism Research Foundation.

Sharon Henderson, a friend of the family said, “The family is dedicated and committed to finding answers to this terrible condition that affects so many of our children (Source)."

The Autism Research Foundation stores brains at the Harvard "Brainbank", formerly called the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center. Alexie's four year old brain is the youngest ever received by the Autism Research Foundation for study. Note that Alexie LePoer's brain was not part of the group of brains from the Brainbank that were found to have tragically thawed and become damaged on May 31, 2012 (Source).

When Chris LePoer learned that his son's brain was not harmed in the Brainbank's tragic loss of a group of autism brains he said, "It's kind of a mixed bag. I'm just grateful he'll be able to continue to help in this horrible situation (Source)."

Special thanks to Chris and Ivan LePoer for donating their son's brain for autism research. We mourn the loss of this little boy with autism along with his parents, but are appreciative that they had the unselfishness to allow their son to be part of autism research after his death.

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Bernard Marcus

Autism Light #236 is Bernard Marcus.

Bernard Marcus is a businessman and the co-founder of Home Depot. Bernard Marcus was born to Jewish immigrants from Russia and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the years Bernard Marcus has been an Autism Light through his charitable giving for autism treatment and research. In 1991 he founded the Marcus Center for Autism in Atlanta, Georgia, which has helped over 40,000 children and families dealing with autism since it's formation.

Education: Bernard Marcus earned his pharmacy degree from Rutgers University. In 2008, Marcus was given the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters form Emory University. You can listen to his 2008 Commencement address at Emory University at on YouTube at this link.

Home Depot:  Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is the world's largest home improvement warehouse and has stores in all 50 states of the United States. Home Depot was founded in 1978 by Bernard Marcus, Arthur Blank, Ron Brill, and Pat Farrah (Source).  Marcus served as the CEO of Home Depot from 1979-1997. Although they are self-insured, Home Depot has provided the ABA benefit to all it's eligible full-time employees who have children with autism (Source).

Marcus Autism Center: The Marcus Autism Center is a premier organization for the diagnosis and treatment of autism in Atlanta, Georgia. They have received national acclaim through their designation as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Autism Center of Excellence (Source). Significantly, the Marcus Center has merged with the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to meet the unique medical needs of those they serve with autism (Source). For more information on the Marcus Autism Center visit their website at www.marcus.org.

The following video is Bernard Marcus discussing the work of the Marcus Center for Autism. In the video he explains the amazing work being done but also notes they "haven't even scrapped the surface."

 

Charitable Giving: Bernard Marcus is Jewish and besides children's causes and autism, he also has a passion for supporting Jewish causes through the Marcus Foundation, and he serves as the chairman of that foundation.  Business Week lists Bernard Marcus as one of the Top 50 Givers in America (Source).

Awards:  The following outstanding recognitions have been given to Bernard Marcus.

• In May, 2005, Marcus received The Others Award from The Salvation Army.
• In February, 2009, Marcus was named a Georgia Trustee, by the Georgia Historical Society, which is the highest award given to a Georgian for philanthropy and community service (Source).

More Information: For more information on Bernard Marcus you can visit these biographical websites:

• Bernard Marcus' Wikipedia page
• Bernard Marcus page at Forbes.com
• Bernard Marcus' biography at the Jewish Virtual Library

Bernard Marcus' charitable interest in autism is making a difference for children in Atlanta and around the country.  In addition, families with autism who work at Home Depot are fortunate to receive a generous autism insurance benefit. Special thanks to Bernard Marcus for being an Autism Light.

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Georgia Lights

The State of Georgia is the home currently to 5 Autism Lights. They include individuals with autism, an autism mother, a professional athlete, and businessman. The Georgia delegation at Autism Light are outstanding examples of the diversity of autism.

Georgia Autism Lights

Individuals with Autism:

1. Cortland Hale is from Snellville, Georgia. He has autism and is a former football player with Brookwood High School. He is listed on the Autism Light Sports page.
2. David Militello is a young singer who has autism from Georgia. He has been honorably nicknamed the "Little Michael Jackson".  He is listed on the Autism Light Music page and a YouTube video of his performance is included here.

Autism Parents:

1. Camille Proctor is an autism mother who founded The Color of Autism Foundation and is an autism advocate. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Other:

1. Jeff Francoeur is from Lilborn, Georgia. He plays Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals and was recognized for his great attitude toward a fan with autism.
2. Bernard Marcus is from Atlanta, Georgia. He is the co-founder of Home Depot and the benefactor for the Marcus Autism Center.

You may reach all these posts by searching the blog through the "Georgia" Label.

Georgia Autism Events

Please notify Autism Light if you have additional events in Georgia you want us to list.

 

Georgia Advocacy

Autism Votes has an excellent website on Georgia Autism Advocacy Resources.

Georgia Resources

Autism Speaks has an excellent website page of Georgia Autism Resources.

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The map of Georgia is in the Wikipedia Commons.

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James King

Autism Light #235 is James King.

 

James King is a military contractor from Orlando, Florida. He is married to Diane King and is the father of five children. James King is an Autism Light because on April 13, 2010, he rescued then 11 year old Nadia Bloom from a Florida swamp where she had been missing for four days.

Nadia Bloom has the high functioning form of autism known as Asperger's Syndrome.  She disappeared on April 9, 2010 and it would later be revealed that she had went on a hike by herself and got lost in an alligator infested swamp in Winter Springs, Florida. Search teams had been trying for days to find her. James King went out in the swam by himself on the morning of April 13, 2010 to search for her. When he found her James King used his cell phone to call 911 for help to get Nadia Bloom out of the swamp. Here is a news story on this rescue of a girl with autism done by the Today show in April, 2010.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

James King proclaimed that God helped him find Nadia Bloom. Norris J. Chumley gave this account in the Huffington Post about how faith helped James King be an Autism Light.

Rescue teams searched for days on foot, by helicopter, and with search dogs, but James King, a volunteer and member of Nadia's church, began to pray while searching. On ABC's Good Morning America, King said, "I prayed and prayed, and God showed me the way. The hardest part of it was getting out of my own way; putting my own thoughts aside and listening to God." Appearing on NBC's Today Show, King confessed to Meredith Vieira that his wife, Diane King, gave him advice the night before joining the search, "James, when we lose something we pray in the spirit and we always find it.(Source)."

Tanya Bloom, Nadia's mother said, "'Thank you' is not appropriate for what James King did. We are so fortunate God used him to bring her back to us (Source)."

For more information on this rescue on April 13, 2010, see the following news stories

• Watch Press Conference with James King Full Video (Examiner)
• Church Member Finds Nadia Bloom in Dense Woods (WESH.com)
• James King Speaks About Nadia Bloom on Today Show
• Proven: 11 Year Old Nadia Bloom's Rescue is a Miracle

Special thanks to James King for being an Autism Light and helping find Nadia Bloom when she was missing in 2010. When hope was diminishing for Nadia, James King armed with his faith and courage went searching for her. We wish both James King and Nadia best wishes in the years ahead.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

 

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Dez Childs

Autism Light #234 is Dez Childs.

Dez Childs is a contemporary Christian singer and songwriter from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Dez Childs is an Autism Light for her contribution to autism awareness through her inspirational autism song called Father Song.  Dez Childs helps us understand autism through the perspective of a talented musician and believer in the Christian faith.

Dez Childs began singing at conventions and festivals when she was just 12 years of age. She was following in her mother's footsteps who had a professional singing career under the name of Gigi Parker. Dez Childs became a Christian believer at age 15 and then started using her musical talent at worship gatherings for the church. Dez Childs is married to Steve Childs. Steve Childs is her producer, and a vocal instructor who is featured on the website www.virtualvoicelessons.net.

The following is a video of Dez Childs singing her autism song called Father Song.  It is about the challenges faced by family members of children with autism. You can purchase the song on iTunes as part of Dez Childs album called Heart Cry. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit autism organizations.

The lyrics to Father Song were written by Tara Bruce, a good friend of Dez Childs. Tara's son Colin has autism and through this song both Tara Bruce and Dez Childs are able to share the story of Colin's struggle with autism. The song accompanies the autism book Tara Bruce wrote called Why Is Colin Like That?

Dez Childs has received positive reactions to the Father Song in the autism community. She writes to Autism Light:

We have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback concerning the song. From YouTube subscribers to family members of Tara Bruce, they have all been moved to share the song with others to help create an awareness of this behavioral disorder.
 

Autism Light asked Dez Childs if she had any encouragement for the autism community.  She shared these words of particular relevance to those who believe in the Christian faith:

Father Song is a simple prayer to God Who is the source of all hope. When families are faced with these kinds of situations it is easy to lose hope. Jesus said that in this life we will have tribulation but to not be afraid because He has overcome the world. There will be a day when there will be no more tears, disease nor death, but in the meantime we are to keep praying for strength to push on.
 

Music Teacher:  Dez Childs has also served as a music teacher for School of Rock and Musically Speaking Studios (Source). You can vist her website at www.dezchilds.com for more information on her outstanding up and coming career as a musician.

Social Media:  You can follow Dez Childs on the following social media areas.

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter - @DezChilds

Special thanks to Dez Childs for being an Autism Light. Father Song is an inspiration to the autism community. A link to this post for Dez Childs will also be placed on the Autism Light Music page today. We look forward to hearing more inspiring things about Dez Childs' work as a musician in the future.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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The photo in this post was used with permission of Dez Childs.

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Buddy Matthews

Autism Light #233 is Buddy Matthews.

John R. "Buddy" Matthews was from Economy, Pennsylvania. Buddy Matthews died tragically on August 22, 2009, from injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident. He was a self-employed home contractor who owned Matthews Home Improvements. Buddy Matthews left behind his wife Tricia, daughter Alyson, and a son Joel who has autism.  His obituary may be read at the Times Online.

Buddy Matthews is being made an Autism Light posthumously because he was the co-founder of the Eric Barto Memorial Foundation for Autism.  Buddy and his wife Tricia created the foundation to honor the memory of their friend and to help children with autism, like their son Joel, to attend YMCA programs. After his death the motorcycle run was renamed the Buddy Matthews Memorial Ride and Benefit for Autism. Linda Voshall, Buddy's mother organizes the event.

The following is a video of the Buddy Matthews Memorial Ride in 2011.


The 2nd Annual Ride was held on August 11, 2012. Be sure and mark your calendars for August 10, 2013 when the 3rd Annual Ride will be held. 55 motorcyclists participated in 2012, but the weather conditions were a factor. An event organizer Danny Kehoe said, "Buddy’s the one who started this whole thing because his son Joel has autism (Source)."

The SewickleyPatch website reported:

After Buddy Matthews’ death, the [Eric Barto] event was changed in his name and continues to benefit kids with autism. Proceeds from T-shirt sales, raffles, the silent auction, and other parts of the event go to the Sewickley Valley YMCA to benefit families and kids with autism (Source).

Social Media: For more information you can "Like" the Buddy Matthews Memorial Ride on Facebook.

Children with autism are being helped from the Buddy Matthews Memorial Ride. Buddy Matthews has a legacy as an Autism Light and it shines through this event as well as his unending love for his son Joel. May we never take life for granted and realize that every day is precious as we remember Buddy Matthews today. Autism Light will also honor Buddy Matthews by placing his name today on the Autism Light Memorial Roll.

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