autism awareness, autism, ribbon, healthcare, disease

It seems that their are charity walks for everything nowadays. This is not to diminish the impact of thousands of people walking en masse through normally busy city streets. I remember as a child participating in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk A Thon. The excitement of getting pledges from neighbors and your parents' friends really helped to lend to my enthusiasm for the event. Today cities and towns across the US, and worldwide, experience these charity events with regularity. Atlanta on Saturday, April 12, 2008 will be the site of the Walk For Autism sponsored by Autism Speaks and The Marcus Institute.

What Is Autism? And Why Should You Care?

Autism, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder, impairs the ability of those afflicted from communicating and relating to others. When diagnosed early, there are effective management techniques that can help those who suffer from autism spectrum disorders to lead fully participatory adult lives. The degree to which an individual might display symptoms can vary but health, healthcare, medical, disease, affliction, information has a great tool that illuminates some of the core symptoms that those with autism will exhibit to some degree. Now for the easy question...why should you care? The simple answer is because you are a thinking, feeling person and have the ability to exhibit sympathy for other people who are suffering. If this is not a practical enough reason here are some that may encourage you to care because they will strike closer to home.

  • 1 in 150 children in the US will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (four times as many boys are afflicted) - Source Citation
  • Autism appears to run in families so there appears to be a genetic component - Source Citation
  • Environmental factors/toxins such as heavy metals - Source Citation Find out what is in you water by requesting a copy of your water quality report that water utilities are required to send to customers annually. If you have not received your copy request it from your local water supplier or the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800/426-4791) or you can click HERE to see if your city or county report is online.
  • Childhood vaccines, especially the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine is believed but not proven to be a factor in autism spectrum disorder - Source Citation I have provided a recent CBS News Report below:

This wonderful Walk for Autism event will raise awareness and funds for combating this awful disorder. While early registration is encouraged, you can actually register on the day of the event at the site of the walk. Perhaps you would like to be one of the many volunteers who make this walk possible? Click HERE for volunteer info. For walk day information and directions click HERE!


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If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approval in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to or call us @ 865-951-0522.

 
This post has been included in Georgia Information Fulton County, GA Information Atlanta, GA Information
Post is included in group: BLOG FOR A CAUSE

10 Comments on Atlanta's 2008 Walk For Autism Saturday, April 12, 2008

MAR
30
2008
463,936 Points 28 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Rich, This is a wonderful event to call attention to and I hope many people participate.  The rise of this syndrome is incredible and I have long thought the vaccines had a part perhaps in many of the cases.....
3:54pm • #1
324,647 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Rich, this is a great cause to support. Through the years I have seen people like Doug Flutie raising money for Autism.
3:57pm • #2
138,889 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Carole - There is mounting evidence that the vaccines play some role in helping to encourage the manifestation of the disorder. The doctor at the end of the clip makes a valid point that the alternative to not having the vaccines might be far more more devastating. I think that there needs to be far more research invested in the development of safer vaccines.

Danny - There are numerous celebrity and other influential voices being raised in the struggle against autism. Dan Marino is another example of an athlete speaking out about his family's struggle with this disorder. This walk will give the ordinary family the chance to feel empowered and fight publicly against this disorder.

4:50pm • #3
257,040 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Rich, one of our best friends oldest son has autism and it's heartbreaking. Thanks for drawing attention to this disorder.
6:24pm • #4
138,889 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Debbie - I hope that your friends were able to spot that something was "not right" early on with their son and help to get him treatment to cope with this awful disorder and the world around him. This is a wonderful cause that effects so many people. And the walk is in two weeks. I hope it not only raises a lot of money, but a lot of awareness.
10:46pm • #5
MAR
31
2008
2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor
Rich: Thanks so much for the informative post on this insidious disorder. I venture to say that each one of knows at least one family afflicted by autism. 
2:44pm • #6
138,889 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Kim - Thanks for reading and commenting. I, for one, have a friend of mine who has a grown sister with autism and I know it has not been easy on any of them. Her sister is in her late 20's to early 30's and is very functional but still lives at home with her now elderly parents. My friend realizes that she and her husband will probably be the caretakers of her sister in the near future. This disease seems most insidious when seen in children, but there are adults living with autism too! Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
4:37pm • #7
APR
06
2008
114,218 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Rich, sorry I am late getting here!  I'm featuring this blog as soon as I am done commenting.  I love the way you promote the cause and provide important information through links and external sources.  I hope that the Walk is an incredible success in raising funds for the much needed additional research.

5:45pm • #8
162,808 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

This is a wonderful cause to Blog for.  I watched the NASCAR race today and was happy to see many racing in support of Autism!

8:43pm • #9
138,889 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Amanda - Thanks for commenting and for promoting this worthwhile event with a feature. The Dallas/Ft. Worth Walk is June 14th! 

April - This horrible disorder effects such a broad cross section of people that I am not surprised when I see people from all walks of life supporting it! I am glad to hear NASCAR supporting this cause!

Total donations so far for the Georgia event are $547,268 (walk is this coming Saturday!

Click HERE for upcoming links in your area! 

11:27pm • #10

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