Hello Everyone,
This year I am taking on the biggest physical challenge I've ever taken. As most of you know, last year I started running. In September, I completed the ScotiaBank Waterfront 1/2 marathon. This was a huge accomplishment for me, seeing as how the year before I was 120 pounds heavier.
This year, within the next couple of months, I will be completing TWO marathons, the Peterborough 1/2 Marathon on Feb. 24th and the 'Around the Bay' Marathon in Hamilton on March 30th. Peterborough is 21.5 kilometers and Hamilton is 30 kilometers. I'm well into my training, the past two Sunday's I ran 16K and 19K.
When I ran the ScotiaBank Marathon I had the option of fundraising for it but, unfortunately, I was just too busy. Plus, many of you were already very generous with the fundraising I did for the Dragon Boat Races last June.
Well, this year I would like to do something a little bit different. Both marathons have fundraiser, both are great causes, but I wanted to do something that was more meaningful to me, something a little closer to home.
When I decided to do the 'Around the Bay' in Hamilton and the 'Peterborough Half' I really wasn't sure I could do it. I knew it was going to be a huge challenge for me, but deep inside I knew I could do it. When I ran the ScotiaBank Marathon, I did it for me, as a symbol of my own personal achievements. But, when I decided to do these next two marathons, I knew that I wanted it to mean something more, not just for me. After awhile this idea came to me, it was right in front of me... "Autism".
A few years ago I learned that someone close to me had a mild form of Autism. Now, I can't speak for anyone else, but I personally didn't know much about Autism up to that point and there in lies the problem. Since then I've become so much more aware of news stories and articles on Autism.
The biggest thing I've learned is that it doesn't get the attention and resources it deserves, especially from our own government. It effects so many people in our society, but our government does very little to help families cope with it. A lot of families have to give up their life savings to get just a fraction of the help they need and deserve.
So, what I'm hoping to do is help raise awareness and, hopefully, donations for Autism by asking people to give to Autism Ontario. Autism Ontario's Mission Statement is this; "To ensure that each individual with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is provided the means to achieve quality of life as a respected member of society". They do so much to try and help families and individuals deal with Autism. I've attached a link to their website that better explains what they do.
So, I'm asking you to click on the link above and learn all you can about Autism and how it effects so many people in our lives and hopefully you'll realize that Autism needs so much more attention and support from everyone, especially our government. Also, if you are able, please donate what you can towards Autism Ontario, just click on the word "Donate" at the top of the site.
I’m not using pledge sheets, nor do I need to know who’s donated. I'm doing this to help raise much needed awareness of Autism. But, on the donation screen there is a spot that reads "In Honour/On Behalf of". Maybe there's someone you know that you'd like to honour or donate on behalf of. Also, if you wish, Autism Ontario can send an email or card to that family to let them know that you've made a donation in that person's honour. to let them know you’re thinking about them. But that part is completely up to you. The important thing is that we help raise awareness of Autism and help give the families living with it the attention and respect they deserve.
Thanks,
Chris