[Speech-Language Pathologist takes on United States Powerlifting Raw Nationals ] I am a speech-language pathologist- CFY for a rehabilitation network and I am a Pennsylvania State USAPL state record holder in the 63kg weight class. I am competing in the October 2015 USAPL Raw National powerlifting competition in Scranton, PA . I truly believe there is no better time to tell my story of how I got here and what I am asking for. From day 1 of graduate school in Scranton, PA, I became mesmerized with a young autistic boy. A boy who could not say a word verbally but still so full of life, compassion, and typical little boy bold behavior. The therapy sessions were difficult, spending hours of planning with little to no success seen throughout the months. I can remember leaving a session and looking his mother in the eyes with nothing but a plead for continuation of my efforts. So that is exactly what I did, I put all I had into my therapy sessions for the smallest sign of success. When I received an end of semester card from his mother proclaiming the hard work and hope I gave her child, left her with inner strength, I knew this is population was going inspire me beyond measures. I starting powerlifting in January of 2015, I am now rising to the occasion on a higher level in a city that I learned my first real sign of inner strength. Strength that I have come to learn pours out of every single day in my outpatient therapy clinics from the moms, the dads, the siblings, the grandparents, and the children themselves dealing with Autism. So, I chose to take every rep, set, and training session to display my outer strength in tribute of all of those displaying inner strength day in and day out. I would LOVE for all of you who display inner strength (parents, family members, therapists, teachers, aids) and those who display outer strength for their own person reasons, powerlifters (of all weight classes and federations) to join me in my attempt to raise awareness for a population that is different, not less. I am looking to raise a goal amount money based off my projected total of 875lbs (875$) in which all proceeds go directly to Autism Speaks . Thank you so much &amp; any amount helps. - I’ve learned that every human being, with or without disabilities, needs to strive to do their best, and by striving for happiness you will arrive at happiness. For us, you see, having autism is normal—so we can’t know for sure what your ‘normal’ is even like. But so long as we can learn to love ourselves, I’m not sure how much it matters whether we’re normal or autistic.” —Naoki Higashida, author of The Reason I Jump <a href="http://www.usapowerlifting.com/event/raw-nationals-ns-2015-06/" target="_blank">USAPL RAW NATIONALS</a>

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Autism Speaks: Raw Nationals USAPL

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