Welcome to my fundraising page!!

This November I have the honor of running in the Savannah marathon with Team OAR (Organization for Autism Research). When I was choosing the marathon I would run this fall, it was a given that I would run with a charity. As I researched the charities that have partnered with the Rock n Roll Savannah Marathon, OAR is who stuck out the most. OAR is dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by autism by supporting research that produces meaningful and practical results. They also keep families, educators, self-advocates, and professionals informed by delivering free, evidence-based resources and information every day.

Emerson's journey with Autism is pretty new to our family. As some of you know, Emerson was born with Down syndrome. As we traveled the journey of Down syndrome it was around 3 years old that we noticed things shifting in Emerson. He started to have severe regressions in almost all areas, communication, fine motor skills, oral motor skills, behaviors and everything in between. We literally watched the joy and light vanish so quickly from our son. When he was around other children with Down syndrome, we started to notice how Emerson was so different. How things that brought him joy were causing him frustrations. How simple tasks were now triggers for meltdowns. His milestones were delayed from Down syndrome, but they started to slow down even further.  Or milestones he had already reached were a thing of the past. Grant and I had a gut feeling that there was something else going on. So for the next year we went to doctor after doctor, therapist after therapist, psychologist after psychologist until we found ourselves finally at an approved Autism evaluation center. After weeks of testing we had our answer. Emerson received a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome & Autism.

We’re no strangers to the special needs world, so as we navigated this new diagnosis this past year I knew the one thing I had to do was take care of myself. It is so easy to push that to the side and lose yourself in the process. But the truth is that when I take care of myself, I am the best version to take care of others. During some of my most difficult days, running was my therapy. It gave me the time and space to feel what I needed to feel and process what I needed to process as we navigated Emerson's new diagnosis. I ran through the hard days, the good days, the grief filled days, the celebration days, the defeated days, and the "I can’t go on another minute" days. And through all that I gained strength, perseverance, but most importantly gratitude. To take care of myself during a time that I usually wouldn’t, was truly lifesaving.

So this year my running for a purpose really hits close to home. Its an honor to be able to help others improve their lives with a passion that has saved mine.   It’s time to give back to a charity whose mission I believe deeply in, applying research to the challenges of Autism and addressing the immediate questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers, and caregivers confront daily. A charity that is making the world a little bit easier for my sweet son to live in. Autism is hard, isolating, and even heartbreaking at times. I know that’s not what people like to hear, but it’s our reality. Meltdowns, non-verbal communication, aggression, self-harm, difficult transitions, and rigid routines.  Autism has touched every member of our little family.  While it may be difficult for us at times it has also brought a deeper love and connection, as individuals and as a family unit, as we educate ourselves and in return educate others.  With researched based treatments and programs we see the quality of Emerson’s life improving, and his beautiful light reappearing. Happiness that is what is important to us.   And this is why I’m supporting OAR with my fundraising efforts.  87% of every dollar goes directly towards research, programs, and resources that benefit persons with autism, their families, and the people in the schools and communities who teach, guide, and protect them.

Here are some of the ways that OAR uses the funds raised by the RUN FOR AUTISM team:

• $10 provides a Curriculum in a box professional development set to general education teachers.
• $25 provides 15 copies of A Guide to Safety to families and first responders.
• $100 provides the Kits for Kids peer education resource to an entire elementary or middle school.
• $150 provides 100 copies of a Life Journey through Autism guidebook sent to a community support group or military installation.
• $1,000 provides a research grant for a graduate student studying autism.
• $3,000 provides a scholarship for a student with autism to attend college.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution towards my fundraising efforts. I truly appreciate your support towards an organization that helps so many understand the world of Autism better, and improves not only individuals with Autism but their families and communities as well!

Xo

Melissa