Why I Walk

The Columbus Walk Now for Autism is now less than one month away and yesterday while doing a ABA session with my niece she did something that she has never done before. She looked right at me and said Manda I love you. That is one of the many firsts that I get to experience with her because even though I know she does love me she has never expressed it with words before that she chose, she can always repeat what others say but never has she ever looked at me and flat out said I love you. So as I was logging my hours into one of the the many spreadsheets I came across something that I wrote for the Autism Speaks website and they asked us to write about why we walk. Here is why I walk:

When I was 16 years old I met a family that would change my life forever. My best friend and I became babysitters for a set of twin girls, Sophee and Skyler. Little did I know one of the twins would inspire me to find what I wanted to do in life. We started watching the girls before our junior year of high school and continued on after that the following summers. When we noticed that there was a developmental delay between the two girls no one seemed worried because it is normal and sometimes happens. It was during our junior year and the summer before that very significant differences started to arise. Skyler did not talk, react to her own name, and would have meltdowns whereas Sophee did not. After hundreds of doctors visits and hours of trying to figure out what this beautiful baby wanted we finally got our diagnosis. The first which was received in the summer before our senior year was SID- sensory integrated disorder. However, the twins mother Kandee thought there was more. Once we found out the first diagnosis we started OT and "therapy" sessions at home. The second diagnosis, I believe came sometime between October 2005 and January 2006 and this was the PPD-NOS diagnosis, but again, Kandee knew there was more. In April of 2006 Skyler was diagnosed with classic Autism. Since that day, the whole family and everyone who has ever been touched by those twins stepped up to the plate to help with any obstacles. Car rides to and from OT and speech. Therapy toys bought or made, whatever was needed was done by someone and everyone was there for Skyler and her family. The biggest challenged we all took came this past summer in 2007. The family decided to start ABA therapy and at first we were all skeptical, however I can tell you now after a year of ABA there is an amazing difference and Skyler has progressed greatly. Learning from Skyler has been my biggest development in the past five years and each time I see her not only does she grow, but I grow.
I do not walk because it's the thought that counts. I do not walk because it would be nice of me. I do not walk because it’s something to do. I walk because something needs to change. I walk because autism can change an entire family’s dynamic (good or bad). I walk to fight, to raise awareness and to raise money. I walk because a little girl very near and dear to my heart is not "able" to. Yes she can walk independently, but she cannot speak out and tell everyone who will listen how life is like living with autism. I walk as thanks to Skyler's family for letting me into their lives and helping Skyler develop. I walk because I care and want to see Skyler independent one day. I walk because I want autism to become history rather than an epidemic.

If you would like more information about Columbus's Walk Now for Autism comment me and I will reply as soon as I can.