Autism Awareness Month Fundraiser 2024

Hi, my name is Grace. I want to thank everyone who donated to our fundraiser last year. Your donations helped our family pay for critical services needed for our sons, and we can't thank you enough. We have used 95% of the donations from last year on the necessary services and supports.

This year, I am fundraising on behalf of my three sons, two of whom are on the autism spectrum and also have speech delays. They have made many strides throughout the last couple of years, but it has definitely been a journey, to say the least. My husband and I both work full-time jobs, but it’s still not enough to cover the services the boys need the most. We earn too much for any type of government assistance but too little to afford all of our bills on top of these services. I am raising money to help pay for my sons to get these much-needed services and other vital supports needed for my sons to thrive to their fullest potential.

I am in a trial-and-error phase as I try to figure out how to best parent my special boys. I may not always have the right answer, but I will surely find it out. I am an avid advocate for my sons and other children on the autism spectrum and other disabilities alike.

Autism spectrum disorder costs a family $60,000 a year on average. The cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention. According to a recent study funded by Autism Speaks, the lifetime costs of autism average $1.4 million to $2.4 million. These numbers are multiplied times two for my family.

This fundraiser is important to me because I am their biggest advocate. I am committed to helping my sons develop into their best possible selves, and now, while they are young, is a critical time to be in full force so that they can have the same experiences as other children. Their journey will always be special, however I want to them to experience everything the world has to offer.