typical is boring

On Saturday, we participated in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks walk.  It was a beautiful day for the walk.  It was sunny and around 84 degrees.  In the past, we have walked in temperatures that were above 100, so 84 degrees seemed quite pleasant. 

Saturday morning we arrived at the walk at 9:30 a.m.  We met up with the rest of our team at the registration station.  Our team consisted of our immediate family plus my husband's nephew, his fiancée, my husband's niece and her boyfriend.  I had t-shirts made in SJ's favorite color (orange) and had our saying "Typical is Boring" place on the back.  The shirts were a big hit!

I have been collecting donations since April.  I sold puzzle pieces at our local schools and took in donations through my friends and family.  Everyone was very generous this year.  I was really taken by their generosity.  Due to the fact that we were able to collect so many donations, we were allowed to go into the Grand Club area. 

The Grand Club area was so nice.  They had refreshments, Build-a-Bears, tickets for a Pirates game and chances for a silent auction.  I gave a ticket to each of the boys and my husband's niece and his nephew's fiancée.  Our niece even won the basket that she placed her ticket in.  She got a very cute Build-a-Bear that was decorated with Autism puzzle pieces.  Around 10:00 a.m., the walk began.  Our team joined the rest of many walkers that were in attendance. 

I love being at the walk.  It is so comforting to be surrounded by other families that are going through what our family goes through daily.  I am also blessed that SJ was diagnosed early and has only minimal difficulties from being on the spectrum.  That is why this walk is so important.  If the donated money can help researchers find out what is causing this epidemic, millions of families will benefit.  I hope that we will see that happen in our lifetime.