**UPDATE: September 15, 2011 -

This past weekend I completed my final race, the Patriots Half Ironman Triathlon.  This race, held on September 10th, was my final and most difficult effort in support of the Organization for Autism Research.  It was very tough, but getting to the finish line made all the sweat and pain worth it!   As I swam, cycled and ran with nearly 630 other athletes, the significance of this weekend was not forgotten.  Throughout the event I found myself not only reminded of those struggling with autism, but also of those who lost their lives ten years ago on September 11th.  I thought about the individuals who had no idea that September 10th would be their last day on Earth with their friends and loved ones.  I thought about those who, on September 10, would never have imagined their husband, wife, child, or friend would be gone the next morning.  And I thought about the brave men and women in our armed forces who have sacrificed so much to fight and protect our nation from those who would do us harm.  So I pushed through some intense knee and shoulder pain in honor of those who died that day, and in honor and with gratitude for those who serve our nation to combat terror.  Patriots half ironman was definately the most meaningful event for me this summer. 

So, Thank You to all who donated, helping me try to raise nearly $1000 this year!  I am humbled and honored to have been blessed with such wonderful, supportive friends and family!  THANK YOU!     But, I haven't reached my fundraising goal quite yet.  So if you haven't donated yet, I'm asking you to please consider contributing to this wonderful cause.  Please spread the word to friends, family and co-workers to help support those living with autism, and their families. 

With Sincerest Thanks,
Meredith

 

I'm racing as part of TRI FOR AUTISM, to help raise awareness about autism and to raise funds to support further research and finding treatments for autism spectrum disorders. 

Firstly, THANK YOU to all who have supported me and OAR in the past.  This year I'm pushing harder than ever, aiming to raise $1000.00 and racing in 3 long-course events, including my first attempt at the half-ironman distance.

The races I'm participating in are:

June 11, 2011 - Old Point Tidewater -- 1 kilometer swim, 21 mile bike, 8K run
*Update: I finished with a time of 2:34:41, placing 7th in my age group and 50th overall out of 139 women.. (swim 43:06; T1 1:45; bike 1:07:22; T2 2:03; run 40:26)
July 30, 2011 - Culpeper International -- 1500 meter swim, 24 mile bike, 10K run
*Update: I finished with a time of 03:14:40, placing 7th again in my age group, 46th overall out of 87 women.  (swim 39:09; T1 2:00; bike 01:31:30; T2 2:10; run 59:53)
September 10, 2011 - Patriots Half Ironman -- 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (my first attempt at this long distance!)

I hope you will help support me in my efforts to help solve the puzzle of autism - I do this in support of my beloved son, Josh, diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.  Living with autism, Josh has made great progress through special education programs, intensive treatments, and lots prayers. 

Although Josh has come a long way, there's still a long road ahead.  With continued educational and therapuetic treatments, we can only hope his future will ultimately be a bright one.  In his teen and then adult years, how well will he be able to manage the every day activities and functions that we all take for granted?  While the current therapeuitic interventions for children with autism are immensely helpful, more research and study must be done to build our understanding of this disorder to maximize the potential future for autistic individuals from childhood through adulthood.

There's still so much that's not understood about the causes of autism and the possible treatments for this complex disorder.  Only through continuing research and outreach can we best understand autism spectrum disorders to ultimately (and most importantly) give those with autism the best chance at leading successful, independent lives.   

I need your help in raising $1000 in support of all who ar affected by autism. 

Would you be willing to donate:

$32 for the 32 million dollars in estimated lifetime costs that it takes to care for someone with autism, or...
$70 for the 1 in 70 boys diagnosed annual with autism, or...
$90 for the $90 billion estimated annual cost of autism in the US, or...
$110 for the 1 in 110 children diagnosed with autism, or even...

I hope you will suport me and OAR in this effort to solve the puzzle of Autism, and please do share this link with friends, family, and cowokers!

Thank You.

-Meredith