By Kathleen Lanese
“I love my boys” is something I say frequently because I feel so blessed to be their mother. Both of my children have autism, so my husband Rick and I are aware of autism – every single minute of every single day.
Along with many members of our “autism family” we are active all year long in trying to increase awareness, and improve the lives and futures of families affected by autism, near and far. April is Autism Awareness Month, and this is a great opportunity to educate the general population about this ever growing disorder (currently, 1 in 68 children receives the diagnosis), and call attention to the need for services, support, and opportunities for people with autism.
On April 2nd, landmarks, homes, and businesses around the globe will “Light It Up Blue” in support of people living with autism. Our home, along with many other homes and businesses will shine our blue lights all month long. Is it about raising money? No. Will it “cure” my boys? No. We do it to show that we are one of many families whose children struggle daily and face an unknown future. We do it to encourage people to ask questions, get involved in the autism community, or simply be more understanding; and as far as we’ve come, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to awareness and accepting people with autism as valuable, productive members of society. And personally – it makes our family feel supported, accepted, and loved to see this small gesture repeated in our own town, and around the globe.
The Kings Park Central School district has been so supportive of our initiative the last two years, they go blue for us! This year The Town of Smithtown is going blue for us by lighting up The Park’s Department on 25A in Kings Park next to the high school, The Smithtown Bull and Town Hall.
So, if you join us in wearing blue through the month of April or “shining a light on autism”, please share photos on my Facebook page or through the Smithtown Today Facebook page – my sons Brendan and Kevin love to see them!
Kathleen is the Light It Up Blue Chairperson for Autism Speaks. She ran the LI Autism Speaks for about a decade. She is a past board member of Nassau Suffolk Autism Society of America. Katheen will be writing several columns for Smithtown Today throughout Autism Awareness Month