Communities across this province will band together in support of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) later this month.
Citizens will be part of the Active for Autism events slated for areas that include St. John’s, Harbour Grace, Bonavista, Clarenville and the Southern Shore community of Renews.
Active for Autism occurs every year in October during Autism Awareness Month.
It is one of the ASNL’s most popular events and encourages families and friends to get together, get active, and raise funds and awareness for the ASNL.
Participants in St. John’s and Renews will host walks on Sunday, Oct. 14 to raise money and awareness in support of autism.
“It means so much for our family for people to come out in support of him and for Douglas to feel like he is part of our community,’’ his mother, Clara Dunne, organizer of the Renews walk, said Wednesday.
“He enjoys this walk so much. To see him put his arms around people and to give me a kiss, makes it special,’’ she added.
Last year, supporters of the Renews walk raised more than $7,200, more than 10 per cent of the nearly $60,000 raised in 2017.
“We’re hoping to raise that much in the St. John’s area alone,” said Jennifer Brown, fundraising and events co-ordinator for ASNL.
“This is our largest fundraiser of the year. It may be a lofty goal, but we are hoping to raise that much here in St. John’s alone,’’ she added.
Douglas, 32, was diagnosed with autism in 1987 at the age of 30 months. The Dunnes said they knew there was an issue with Douglas before he turned 1 and they spent the next 18 months searching for an answer. That came during a visit to an autism clinic in Connecticut, where they received the news.
They have been coming to the centre in St. John’s since 2006, after meeting with the centre’s founder and namesake Elaine Dobbin, who explained what was available to them.
The advancements that have been made are allowing persons with autism to be diagnosed a lot earlier, and the development of resources like the Elaine Dobbin Centre and the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) have helped ease the burden of families as they navigate the waters of dealing with an autistic child.
“He smiles when we get him here in the morning and is smiling when he leaves here at night. That is how much this place means to him,’’ Dunne said.
“That is why we do our walk and support other fundraisers. The supports have to be there, to raise funds to make sure this place stays here,’’ she added.
Dunne said the one thing people tend to forget is that the children don’t stay young forever — they become adults, and the supports need to be there to continue helping those with autism.
Throughout the 12 years they have been involved with ASNL, the Dunnes have held walks and even went so far as selling pieces of pottery at a craft fair in Ferryland that Douglas made in arts classes held at the Dobbin Centre. All of the money was donated to the centre.
The St. John’s walk will get underway at 10:30 a.m. and the walk in Renews goes at 3:30 p.m. Dunne said there will be more than 40 people participating there.
Brown said the St. John’s event draws more than 200 participants.
The ASNL provides individuals of all ages a place to socialize, learn and feel safe.
Contributions from the community are used for the many programs and services offered at the centres in St. John’s, Clarenville, Grand Falls-Windsor and Corner Brook.
The Parent Support Groups in many areas of the province also benefit from the support received from the respective communities.
With the public’s help, the ASNL can continue to help the many participants and families affected by autism spectrum disorder across the province.
The following is a list of walks that are scheduled for Oct. 13-14:
Avalon Region Walk For Autism, St. John’s, Sunday, Oct. 14: Registration starts at 9 a.m. and walk begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Elaine Dobbin Centre, 70 Clinch Crescent. Registration is $25.
Harbour Grace, Sunday, Oct. 14: Registration starts at 9 a.m. and walk begins at 3 p.m. at Danny Cleary Harbour Grace Community Centre. Registration is $25.
Eastern Region Walk For Autism, Bonavista, Saturday, Oct. 13: Registration starts at 1 p.m. and walk begins at 1:30 p.m. at All Saints Bonavista, 13 Templeman’s Rd. Registration is $25.
Clarenville, Sunday, Oct. 14: Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and walk begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Shoal Harbour Causeway Loop. Registration is $25.
The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) is a provincial, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to fostering the development of individualized, lifelong, community-based supports and services for persons with autism spectrum disorder.
The ASNL is committed to the promotion of acceptance, independence, productivity and opportunities for inclusion in all facets of life for persons with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
For more information, go online to www.autism.nf.net.
