Maddies World

In a world where our communication is king, and social interaction is a must in gaining a better knowledge of the world around you, imagine what it is like to not be able to express how you feel, or to freeze up completely because someone looked you in the eyes.Then imagine being 2 years old, and wanting nothing more in the world than to tell your mom and dad that you want a certain toy, or blanket, or cup, and when you tell them you are reduced to tears because they don't understand, like they are speaking a different language that is completely unknown to you. Everyday, as with every child, is a struggle. But some kids need extra help in gaining access to human interaction and communication. As the mother of a beautiful autistic boy, I want to address the issues that affect so many family's world wide everyday. Here's some quick stats from the Autism Speaks website:

"Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe...."

In a social network based on giving, there is no better gift than that of knowledge and awareness. So if you are searching for a worthwhile cause, here is one. The link above is the link to Maddox's Walk Now for Autism web page. There are many other children and families that are raising money and awarness as well. Maddox is an amazing 2 and half year old, who loves animals and the outdoors. He was diagnosed with autism in July, and because of resources like Autism Speaks, we were able to find an intricate network of support and therapies that have made such a difference in this little guys life.