The subject of a post from a few days ago was a 53-day, 2,000-mile in-line skating journey that was undertaken in 2007 to to help raise awareness and funds for Autism education.
Brian Patrick, father to a child on the Autism Spectrum, has himself recently undertaken a rollerblading (in-line skating) journey to raise awareness and funds for Autism Speaks
…How did I know I was on the Autistic Spectrum? It was because of an incredible young man named Riley. Riley, like me, has Asperger’s. Having said that, like father like son.
…Over the past six months I thought about my experiences with Autism and and realized there is a potential that I can help others that are part of the world of Autism. The thing is what can one man do? What can I do to make a difference? So we came up with this crazy idea of me putting wheels on my feet and skating across the country raising Autism Awareness. Richard Pipp, my friend and Project Manager for what became entitled The Journey made one point that became a hard truth: No one would care what I was doing or why I was doing it until I went a thousand miles. Know what? He was right. By the time I got into TN, people were emailing us. People were stopping me on the side of the road to talk to me. I was then talking to teachers, administrators and mostly parents. A family from Missouri contacted me and brought me to their local High School to speak of my experiences. This wonderful family and I will probably remain life long friends. In a sense, it became clear that it was no longer about skating; it was about how can I help a community that I have been a part of my whole life. I realized I can make a difference. I realized my experiences good, bad and indifferent can impact a families life. I realized it isn’t always about talking; it is about listening. It is listening to these families that are part of the Autistic Community and how it has changed their lives and the dynamics that come with it…
Some photos from Brian’s terrific journey can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151293519032558.500391.7993947557&type=3
(source: http://www.rollerblade.com/usa/news/fitness/skater-crosses-country-for-autism )