On September 27, I will be running the Berlin Marathon to help children with autism better connect with the world around them.

Genuine human connection is that feeling people get when they feel “at home” with each other. But for some children this type of connection is extremely hard to achieve. Children with autism spectrum disorder often care deeply and want to connect with others but they lack the ability to develop the behavior or skills to socially connect.

As a football coach with more than 20 years of experience, I have seen how autism can be isolating for young men just wanting to be a part of a team. I have also seen with understanding and proper skills and tools coaches, peers, family and others can be better equipped at including children with autism into day to day activities enriching the lives of all. It is a truly amazing thing to see this happen to a young man on the football field.

This is why I am fund raising for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR).

OAR funds scientific studies that test theories, treatments, and assumptions about autism and uses the knowledge gained to offer practical answers to the everyday challenges of those living with autism. This means better human connections for those with autism to experience the feeling of closeness – a basic core human need.

Running in the Berlin marathon gives me the incredible opportunity to connect with 40,000 other runners crazy enough to run 26.2 miles! More importantly, it gives me a chance to raise awareness and funds to give the gift of connection through OAR to children with autism, so they may experience the magic of connecting with those around them!

Please consider making a small donation to my OAR fundraising effort. I am sincerely thankful for any support you can provide!

WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 68 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM team, you’re supporting OAR’s mission to fund research and resources that help people with autism and their families today.


Here are some of the ways that OAR uses the funds raised by the RUN FOR AUTISM team:

$10 provides a Curriculum in a Box professional development set to general education teachers.
$25 provides 15 copies of A Guide to Safety to families and first responders.
$100 provides the Kit for Kids peer education resource to an entire elementary or middle school.
$150 provides 100 copies of a Life Journey through Autism guidebook sent to a community support group or military installation.
$1,000 provides a research grant for a graduate student studying autism.
$3,000 provides a scholarship for a student with autism to attend college.
$30,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.