Walk for Grant

I am joining my first Autism Speaks walk this month. I borrowed this format from their web site and posted on the fridge at work to help raise money. I didn't know the effect it would have on people. I wanted to save it as a reminder, to myself and for my angel that I love so much!

WALK FOR AUTISM

I walk because you are my love bug, my only child, much prayed for, desperately loved. I walk because you are mine.

I walk because I am a teacher. I worked with children like you before you existed. Little did I know, I was training for our life together. I walk because I am your mother.

I walk because every single day you make me proud. You face your fears and don't even know it. You encounter sounds, smells ans sights that make your body uncomfortable, yet you continue on. I walk because you are brave.

I walk because you are a gift. You have made me a better person, a better teacher, a better mother. You look at things from another perspective and give me insight, never ceasing to amaze me. I walk because of who you are.

I walk in support of other families who do not have the support we are blessed with. There are families who do not know the signs, who do not know where to go, who think their child is just naughty. I walk for information.

I walk because I do not know why. I am afraid to have another child because I'm not sure if autism is because of your premature birth, our genes, the environment. I walk in search of knowledge.

I walk because there are 1 in 110 families who are dealing with what we do every day. It is not an over diagnosis. It is real and it is now. I walk for research.

I walk to make "our typical" possible. Your stimming, your honesty, your personality is a part of me. I must try and think ahead of you. I have become a planner, a dietician, and educator, a researcher, and advocate and an author of social stories. I walk because this is my life.

I walk because you are my hero and I love you!

Love, Mommy

*************************************************************************************

Join our team in walking, monetarily and in prayer as we strive to find a cure for autism. Come see me or visit www.autismspeaks.org and click on the "walk now for autism speaks" link in the lower left corner for more information.