I am burdened for the autism community. We all have different stories with similar themes. We truly have been in each other's shoes and know how difficult it is going down the road we travel. This week's report of the mother from Modesto, California who stabbed her 13 year old son with autism multiple times has really made me wonder about how fragile life can be. This was NOT a bad mother. She was by all accounts, an autism advocate who tried to move mountains to help her son. What happened to her and can it happen to any of us? What can we do different?
This week, the autism community in Tuscaloosa held our annual "Evening of Art...and Autism" to benefit the Arts 'n Autism program. Hopefully we all had a fun night of enjoying the children's artwork and socializing. More than that though, it is my prayer that the people of Tuscaloosa will learn more about autism and the needs of the autism community.
I was asked several times heading into this event why supporting the Arts 'n Autism program was so important to me. Yes, I love the opportunities afforded my child through the AnA program. He is really loving his ukulele, photography, and yoga lessons this semester! But more than that, I have full knowledge that there is a group of caregivers that love my child, understand him, and don't judge him. The program takes it beyond that to even care for the families of those affected by autism. They never turn a child away for not being able to pay the afterschool program fee. The money from the fundraisers goes to provide these scholarships along with funding technology that will help children who cannot communicate finally be able to express themselves. The program needs the money to fund new programs like the photography program that allow a child to show the world through his or her eyes and express their personality in new and wondrous ways. The people at AnA support these children, many of which have been told they couldn't participate in regular activities at their schools. They support our support group, they care for our children with respite care so that couples can spend time together strengthening marriages and relationships, they work with our children during all church services so that we can worship without worry. Hopefully and prayerfully, the love and support of our Arts 'n Autism program will keep Tuscaloosa from being the topic of any story like the one from Modesto California this week. It is just one autism mom's perspective, but please support the hope that the Arts 'n Autism program brings to this community.
www.artsnautism.org
Email: artsnautism@gmail.com
Address: Arts ‘n Autism, Inc.
c/o Covenant Presbyterian Church
113 Hargrove Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 758-1193
