By Tyler Hemstreet
Staff writer
When the Fort Lewis/McChord Autism Support Group was established in September 2007, there was a general consensus among the nearly 65 military families in the group that it should host an awareness event to highlight April as National Autism Awareness Month.
The group turned that vision into reality in just seven months as it will host the first annual Fun Run/Walk and Resource Fair from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at Cowan Stadium.
Anyone is welcome at the event, but those entering Fort Lewis on the day of the event will need a current driver’s license, valid registration and proof of insurance.
The group’s goal for the event is to not only inform military families and those in the surrounding communities about autism, but to provide a fun environment for everyone to get together, said Cheryl Beene, co-president of the support group.
“We want people to not only be informed, but to also have some fun,” she said. “Caring for a child with autism is a 24/7 job, and it changes every day.”
In addition to the walk at the track at Cowan Stadium and the various informational booths, there will be a run offered on the airfield as well as a live band, face painting, raffles, games, and a variety of food booths.
Volunteer massage therapists also will be on hand offering participants free massages.
Event organizers are hoping the event will not only bring people together to help answer questions about autism but also provide resource information, said Tech. Sgt. Christine Uhl, an airman from McChord on the group’s executive board.
“It’s a matter of providing that resource sharing for parents and letting them know about any respite care opportunities that are out there for them,” Uhl said.
Early registration entries for the event are showing the group the great support network of military personnel who may not have a child with autism but just want to come out and show their support, Beene said.
“We have a lot of medical personnel from both McChord and Fort Lewis coming,” she said. “It’s great because they are touched by the event and want to learn more about (autism).”
With autism affecting nearly 1 in 150 births according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beene said the group wants to utilize the event and answer people’s questions about the disorder.
“It’s a very puzzling disorder,” she said. “For parents it can be overwhelming at times, and every day is a different challenge. Somewhere someone is going to be touched in one way or another by autism … it’s not going away.”
There is a suggested donation of $5 for those who participate in the event. The money will go directly to the nonprofit group and toward providing education and funding respite activities for parents and their children in the group, Beene said.
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