Greg Walsh is the founder and president of Walsh PR. A number of the clients he represents have earned Mom’s Choice Awards. Gregi is also Ryan’s dad. Ryan is (almost) eight and began showing the signs of Autism at just 19 months. Each year, Greg and his family – known as Team RyeBreads – participate in the Walk Now for Autism, a fundraiser for Autism research.
In his note to us, Greg shared his personal story, and some startling details about just how many kids are on the Autism Spectrum.
My son Ryan is autistic. We’ve been taking part in Ryan’s “Big Walk” for the past 5 years. It’s a tradition and it is always held right around the time of Ryan’s birthday. Ryan turns 8 years old this year. We are lucky that Ryan is a very happy little boy most of the time. Someone said once when they saw a picture of him as a baby that it looks like Ryan’s whole body is happy when he smiles. She was right. The “Big Walk” weekend is one of those “ultimate happy” times for Ryan.
Date: June 5, 2011
Time: 11am start, with pre-walk ceremony, events, stage show at 9am
My wife and I were lucky that we recognized some of the early signs of autistic behavior and Ryan was diagnosed when he was only 19 months old. The early intervention has been invaluable to Ryan’s development.
Ryan is about to complete first grade at the local elementary school with his peers. These days he is growing up and is starting to feel embarrassed when I call him RyeBread in front of his friends. Sorry Ry, but you will always be my RyeBreads because I’ll remember being able to cradle you between my wrist and elbow when you were a baby, just like a warm soft loaf of bread. Besides, I think it is fun nickname.
With the help of Autism Speaks‘ research and funding for services for autistic children, there is now more support for all of the families living with autism – because it does affect the whole family.
Chances are that you will encounter someone affected by autism today. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed. The current statistics show that every 1 in 115 children – including 1 in every 70 boys -is diagnosed as being on the spectrum.
Many times, you have a sense of it even before the formal diagnosis … either way, your family is thrust into a completely different reality.
If you’d like to walk with us, you can sign up and get some pledges as part of our team, or you can sponsor us with a donation. Many companies provide their employees with matching gifts. Please consult your employer on its matching gift guidelines; Autism Speaks provides matching gift forms to facilitate your generosity.
The money we raise is to help all of the children, parents and families connected to autism.
I’ll be sure to send photos from our walk. We’ll be the team wearing red – Ryan’s favorite color.
Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism.
Greg
You can donate to Walk Now for Autism Speaks and/or join my team online using the links at the bottom of this page. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on my page or send me a check made out to Autism Speaks.
Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Autism Speaks is a 501 (C)(3) charity. The Tax Id number is: 20-2329938.
You can also chat with Greg about the walk and Autism next week at BookExpo America. Look for him in our booth (2264) where he will be demonstrating MCA award-winning products Words of the Wise
This information is provided on behalf of an honoree and/or alumnus doing charitable work. It is neither an endorsement or a request to support the project from the Mom’s Choice Awards.