My son was diagnosed with autism in May 2017. He was 14.

It is no secret that I was hoping for this diagnosis. I have been working nearly five years for this and only want one thing for my son and that is for him to have the best life he can have and be as successful as he can be.

He needed therapy, support and services that he could not access without that diagnosis and the wait-list to get that diagnosis was over 1 1/2 years long. At the age of 14 time was running out so we dug deep into our savings and paid for it ourself. The diagnosis came during his time in wilderness therapy and after that, he began high school at a therapeutic boarding school for boys on the spectrum. He is doing great but I can't help but think how things might have been different if he was diagnosed earlier. I long for the day when I can bring my son home. 

The last four months have been a whirl wind of change. I have gone from my son's care giver to an empty nester almost overnight. It has given me respite to rediscover who I am. That is why I have signed up for my first marathon! I rode my bicycle 545 miles across California so this should be easy, right? 

On June 17, 2018 I will be participating in Seattle's Rock N Roll Marathon. I have partnered with OAR (Organization for Autism Research). OAR's intent with every dollar raised and spent is to pursue knowledge through research and create resources to offer support to self-advocates, parents, siblings, teachers,
military families and more. Ultimately, they do that one study, one resource, one child, one family, one school one teacher at a time.

SINCE 2002, OAR HAS:

• Funded more than $3.6 million for new autism research: 98 grants/$3,345,000 for pilot studies and $191,660 in grants to 105 graduates
• Awarded $476,000 in scholarships to 156 persons with autism attending college or vocational-technical schools after high school
• Published eight guides in the Life Journey through Autism series: A Parent’s Guide to Research, An Educator’s Guide to Autism, An Educator’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome, A Guide for Transition to Adulthood, A Parent’s Guide to Assessment, A Guide for Military Families, Navigating the Special Education System, and A Guide to Safety
• Created Operation Autism, a website that provides military families impacted by autism with information 24/7
• Introduced the “Autism in the School House” program built around the Kit for Kids Peer Education Initiative and Understanding Autism, a “Curriculum-in-a-Box” containing resource guides and a curriculum DVD that gives middle and high school teachers a basic understanding of autism and best practices for teaching students with autism
• Created and delivered three new resources related to siblings of individuals with autism, one for parents, one for teen siblings, and a fun workbook for younger siblings.
• Created Hire Autism, a unique jobs portal that allows adults with autism to meet prospective employers in an autism-friendly online meeting space

OAR’s mission then is “to apply research to the challenges of autism.” To me, that implies three fundamental objectives: Raise money. Fund research. Change lives. It’s that simple, and the ultimate goal...making a lasting impact on the lives of children and adults with autism...compels me to once again do what now seems unthinkable and raise the bar in fundraising by participating in my first marathon so children like my son don't continue to fall through the cracks. 

I was able to finish that 545 mile bike ride with the support of my donors. You hold me accountable and I need you again!

Thanks for visiting and for your interest and support.

Sincerely,

Nickey