“A giant whirlpool of hope enveloped me” is how Matt Asner, son of famed TV star Ed Asner, described his first Autism Speaks Walk experience seven years ago at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. Now Director of Corporate Development for Autism Speaks, Matt is the father of a 12-year-old son with autism, as well as the stepfather of two other boys with autism, plus he has a brother on the autism spectrum as well. “Before that Walk,” he said, “I had not connected with any other parents. I was like an ostrich.”
“I got to see a sea of people in the same situation as we faced,” is how Jennifer Jones, Director of Autism Speaks Walks in Southern California felt attending her first Walk nine years ago. Her son, Dylan is now 15 years old, and they first attended an Autism Speaks Walk shortly after Dylan was diagnosed with autism.
On Saturday, April 18, from 8 am to 1 pm, some 55,000 people are expected to attend the 13th Annual Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Speaks at the Rose Bowl. This will be the largest autism fundraising walk in the whole country, with 400 volunteers and 125 community vendors participating in the Resource Fair. “It’s a massive event,” Jennifer said, “the largest annual event at the Rose Bowl outside of the New Year’s Day football game.”
From families who have a newly-diagnosed toddler to young adults who are “aging out” of the public school special education system, there will be something for everyone, including a 5k and 3k walk, kid’s fun zone, and quiet areas too for the sensory-sensitive. My son’s friend, Rio Wyles, a very talented autistic rapper with the stage name, “Soulshocka” will be performing, along with John Easedale, lead singer of Dramarama.
Other celebrities who will be there include Max Burkholder, who played a teen with Asperger's syndrome on the TV series “Parenthood”, David Marciano from the show “Homeland” and Cousin Sal from Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Most importantly, by interacting with so many others who are facing the same situation, there will be a wonderful feeling of community, Jennifer said. Held during Autism Awareness Month each April, this walk raises funds for autism research, family programs/community services, and advocacy in the public policy arena. With a current autism prevalence rate of 1:68, the general public is invited and welcome to attend, because as Matt said, “If you don’t yet know someone with autism, you will soon.”
I sure wish this event wasn’t being held on a Saturday, since that cuts out many Jewish organizations and observant Jewish families who don’t drive over Shabbat. Looking forward, there is an upcoming Orange County Autism Speaks Walk that will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2015 in Angel Stadium.
