Each year my family and I walk for Autism Speaks at Jones Beach, this year the walk is on Sunday October 7th with a rolling start from 9am to 1pm. It really is a great day of walking on the boardwalk at the beach with family and friends. I walk in support of Edward, the 14 year old son of my closest friend. I have seen first hand the affects of autism on Edward and upon my friend and his wife. As I have a son close in age to Edward I am always thinking of my friend and his son as I watch my son grow up. I know that fatherhood for my friend is different than he imagined, and we speak about the sometimes difficult emotional struggle it is to watch the affects of autism control his son. Recently my friend wrote an article for The Suffolk Lawyer entitled "Visiting Parenthood," wherein he writes about his annual summer vacation with his extended family. He writes about the feelings he has watching Edward grow up and interact alongside his cousins who are not affected by autism. His feelings are complex and range from "...joy, admiration, envy and pain." It is a beautifully written heartfelt piece that gives the reader an inside view of the emotions involved in raising a child with autism. I will email a copy of the article to anyone that wants a glimpse into the emotional side of autism. I think that if you took the time to read his article, you would not only support the funding to help find answers, but you would walk with me, my friend, and our families on October 7th.
If you would like to support our walk you can visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/longisland/markfreeley, and if you would like to join my team Stormtroopers and walk with us you can visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/longisland/stormtroopers.
Please join us on this important mission.
Mark T. Freeley, Esq.- www.NorthShoreInjuryLawyer.com
