2012 Walk for Hope!!!

Welcome back!

Let's start off by giving you some background knowledge of myself: For those of you whom don't know me, or to "refresh" your memory, I am Alex Blanchard and I am 6 years old (almost 7). I am in the 1st grade and I have a 4.0 GPA! WHOOO HOOO!!! Thanks to the help of what i call "my friends" which include my teachers and therapists.
I have been diagnosed with Autism. Autism is a developmental and neurological disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and it affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. It affects 1 in 110 children. I was nonverbal at 3 years old, and preferred to be/play alone. I don't transition very well, although I'm learning to adapt to it. With early intervention and the help of "my friends" (my teachers and therapists), I have come a VERY long way, to get to where I am now. Although I may seem a little different and act different at times, I'm just a kid like any other. I love dinosaurs, bowling, karate and playing my Wii (Skylanders and Zelda are my favorite games). I love watching movies. I memorize them and act them out. I am in my third year of karate and have a yellow belt thanks to the great people at Lagrange Karate Club who provide me with lots of one on one instruction to help me excel. This year I have started going to a hip hop dancing class just for boys my age. To help you understand what it is like to live with autism you should check out the movie "Temple Grandin". It's a great representation of what it is like to live life through the eyes of a person that has Autism. She also has numerous books you could read.
My family and I attended the Walk for Hope, 3 years ago for the first time. We enjoyed it so much and learned lots about this great organization called ASAC (which is short for Autism Society of Acadiana). At the walk there is lots of great food, games, and educational booths. We learned how much it can help families with kids whom are like me that we decided to make our own team 2 years ago. We wanted to be able to contribute to a wonderful organization and to also spread awareness about Autism. Once we got involved with ASAC we learned how important it is to educate parents of children with Autism. You see when a child is diagnosed with Autism there isn't a handbook that you are given on what to expect or things to do. That is where ASAC comes in because it provides parents with an outlet to meet other parents that have experienced life with Autism, and for them to share their experiences and information with each other. Monthly meetings are held with the local chapters in which where people from all walks of life involved with Autism come speak to us. ASAC has many activities for us to take part in as a family. Some activities we have are the family bowling night (the whole bowling alley is rented out just for us to bowl!!!), swimming parties, and the Family Friendly Films at the Grand Theatre 16 (in this event to help us cope the lights aren't turned down all the way, and the sound is lower than normal to help me and my friends whom have sensory issues. We can stand up, move around, act out the movies, and recite lines like we all love to do). The best thing about the events ASAC puts on for us is that unlike being at outings in general public, at the ASAC's events nobody judges us or our parents, because all the kids there act just like me. You see, all the people at these events don't wonder why or question as to why is that kid "acting out" because everyone there has come together for the same reason. We can't help it we are just being "us". So if you would like to provide help for the ASAC in having these great events for me and my family please make a donation to my team to help us reach our goal. If you donate you don't have to walk but if you would like to sign up to walk with us on March 31, I reassure you it will be a great experience for you. I have been told by others that have walked with us before that it is a very touching experience. We have been deeply touched and greatly appreciate all the support we have recieved in the past and hope you plan to join us again this year. THANKS!!

Here's a list of other things the monies raised through previous walks have allowed ASAC to do for us:

- hosting family events throughout the year, bowling parties and summer pool parties, family fun days, etc. so families can feel comfortable and relax knowing that those attending will not judge their child's behavior or speculate on their parenting skills;
- partnering with business and non-profits on events to benefit children and families such as the Family Friendly Films held at a local movie theater or Annual Treats at the Village sponsored by a local non-profit which offers a safe trick-or-treating environment for families of individuals with special needs;
- maintaining a physical location for families to visit for information, resources and support, including a lending library;
- publishing a quarterly newsletter for families, professionals and anyone interested in autism spectrum disorders;
- providing Mini-grants to educators and other professionals to help supplement classroom and school needs

- providing financial assistance through Recreational/Leisure Stipend Program which allows families to choose programs that can benefit their child socially through participation in recreational/leisure programs;
- providing access to current treatments, therapies, and information through Educational Stipend Program which assists families by paying registration fees for conferences, workshops or seminars. Families can improve their knowledge base which helps them raise or care for their child or loved one with autism;

- hosting seminars which are kept either free or as low-cost as possible.

If you are not comfortable with donating online, (which is safe and secure)
you can make checks payable to:
The Autism Society of Acadiana
and mail them to me @
118 Inez Drive Jeanerette La 70544
I will gladly turn them in for you