1980's: autism affected 1 in 10,000 children

2012: autism affected 1 in 88 children

2014: autism affected 1 in 68 kids ... or almost 1 in every 2 classes in an average elementary school (US data: 2016 The Educator)

Hi everyone, 

That picture is a few years old, but is absolutely my favourite picture of "The Zach."   Zach is 12 years old now and was diagnosed with "Servely Autistic - Non-Verbal" about 10 years ago.  Zach faces different challenges than we do.  He's a lot more senstitive to loud sounds, crowds, and certain lights.   He also had difficulty making eye contact, would spin around randomly, run off into the street or parking lot and self-harm himself through biting, pitching.   And ... he is absolutely the best thing that ever happened to us.   Everyday he grinds it out working with great people in his school, private therapy, and his family (thanks so much to all of you).   The basic things we take for granted, he's spending hours every day, and years learning things like basic life skills (getting washed, dressed etc), reading, writing and we know talking is just around the corner.  He never gives up ... every day he gets up and "grinds."   No excuses ...  just grind.  Over the course of the last 10+ years he's taught us a lot more than we could ever teach him and we're so grateful for him coming into our lives just the way he is ... "different, not less."   The single biggest gift anyone can give to someone with autism is acceptance ... and I'd like to do more.

We are really concerned about the rise of autism and not everyone has had the same opportunities and support that Zach has received.  So I'm doing a fundraiser for Autism Research in 2019 hoping to raise some money and push the needle a bit to get closer to an understanding of it, treatment, and cure.   I have joined "Run for Autism" and doing 10 Half-Marathons in 2019 as my fundraiser AND now the NEW YORK CITY FULL MARATHON!!  If you'd like to support this, there is a donation button to the right.   All donations are 100% going to the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) ... I am paying my own entrance fee, and any transportation/accomodation fee's.

Throughout the year, I will post updates on events ... and God-willing if my finish time is half-respectable, I might even post that!

Thanks,

Zachary and Godard Family

UPDATE #1:

Thanks everyone for the donations to date!   We're almost half-way to our goal!   Anyone interested, please note that donations are in USD; while a US charity, the benefits and some events are impacted in Canada as well as the US.

For USD conversion it is roughly $0.736 (i.e. based on exchange rate as of 01/02/19 every Canadian dollar is $0.736).   This is all based on the exchange rate as of January 2nd, 2019 and fluctuates daily.

Some examples for donations:

$10 Canadian = then enter the donation as $7.36  (i.e. your charge will be around the $10.00 CDN and donation on OAR page will read as $7.36)

$25 Canadian = then enter the donation as $18.40

$50 Canadian = then enter the donation as $36.80 

$75 Canadian = then enter the donation as $55.20 

$100 donation = then enter the donation as $73.59

UPDATE #2

RACES ARE LOCKED AND LOADED!  Pretty excited about the races booked.  

#1 Burlington 1/2 March 3rd  DONE

#2 Pelee Island 1/2 June 1st DONE

#3 Niagara-on-the-Lakes 1/2 June 15thDONE

#4 MEC #3 Toronto - June 22 (pending - rescheduled due to floods)

#5 Buffalo - July 13th

#6 Albion HIlls - July 20th

#7 Beaches Jazz Festival - July 28th

#8 St Clemons - Aug 14th

#9 Rock 'n Roll 1/2 (Montreal) - Sept 22nd

#10 Grand Caladonia - Oct 12

NEW!!   NEW YORK CITY FULL MARATHON!!!   Nov 2nd

*note changes to event and update goal (Goal was $1,000 USD > with the great support from all of you, we're stretching ourselves to $5,000 USD).