TEAM AIDAN is running to raise money for REACHING POTENTIALS, which serves children with autism and their families.   TEAM AIDAN is 18 members strong, with Abbey Scheflen (AKA Aunt Abbey), Laura Wisloski, Mike Wisloski, Sarah Ridgway and her dad, Frank, Danielle Brunet, Tessa Vinson, Frances Armstrong, Kat Malarky, SK Atkinson, Marlon Guinto, Marge Scheflen (AKA Grammy), Gene Steuerle, Jenny Gonzalez, Vivian Zhu, and Kendra and Gene Swann all joining me to run for this special non-profit organization. 

Those of you who know Aidan have seen all of the incredible progress that he has made in the three years that he has received intensive therapy from Reaching Potentials, which has been nothing short of amazing.  For those of who do not know Aidan, I can tell you that when he began his therapy, our hearts were broken.  Aidan could not speak and did not even know his name.  His favorite activities were banging his head against a window for long periods of time and scrambling small objects like crumpled newpaper or letter magnets on the floor.  He was withdrawn and did not even notice when we entered the room.  He did not want to play with us or engage in any normal activity.  When we took him to the playground, he would sit on the ground and scramble the mulch instead of enjoying the slides and swings.  He did not understand even the simplest directions, and had no ability to communicate with us.  It was devastating to watch our baby, who had been a typical baby and toddler, slide further and further away from us.  There were tears aplenty. 

While Aidan still has many challenges ahead, he is a different child than the one we first brought to Reaching Potentials.  Today, Aidan is able to communicate his needs in words.  He can speak in sentences.  He is learning to read.  He loves to play with us and initiates favorite activities.  He is happy to get on the school bus in the morning.  He can follow directions.  He loves to snuggle and give kisses.  He is happy to see me when I get home.  He tells me "I love you."  Slowly, we are getting our child back and have seen that he is smart and loving, and for that, we are grateful. 

Most families struggle to pay for early intervention services, which are critical for children on the autism spectrum.  While some states have recently passed insurance reforms that make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of autism, Virginia is not among those states.  www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021104165.html  Consequently, ABA therapy is not covered by insurance (with the exception being coverage for families who are active duty military).  It is not uncommon for treatment costs to exceed $30,000 a year for families affected by autism. www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/17/autism.insurance/index.html

We have been fortunate to have the support of family, friends, and Reaching Potentials, who make every effort to make treatment affordable.  Your donation will help Reaching Potentials continue their important work.

Aside from the progress that Aidan has made, the thing that amazes me most about the staff at Reaching Potentials is how much they invest themselves in the kids.  Even on Aidan's worst and most difficult days, I love him - after all, he is my baby.  I have to love him even on his worst and most difficult days because it is part of the job description of motherhood.  Aidan's therapists are under no such obligation to love Aidan when he is at his worst  - they don't HAVE to, but they do anyway.  Aidan's Reaching Potentials family is an invaluable part of the village that it takes to raise these special kids, and we are fortunate to have them in our lives. 

Many thanks to my co-captain - Aunt Abbey - and the sisters of Delta Gamma at William and Mary for leading the charge and signing on to be a part of Team Aidan.  Many thanks too for all of the other friends who have joined Team Aidan.  Team Aidan invites you to put on your sneakers and join us, or simply cheer us on in Williamsburg.

If you can, please help us change the future for those in our community who struggle with autism.  Together we CAN make a difference. 

  -Katy

  
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.  If you prefer to donate to Reaching Potentials by phone, please call them at 540-368-8087.  If you prefer to donate by mail, please send your contribution to Reaching Potentials at 1602 William Street, Upper Floor, Fredericksburg, VA  22401.  Please mention Team Aidan so that we can include your offline donation toward our fundrasing goal.

Many thanks for your support --and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!