Niagara steps forward for people with autism
There is still plenty to learn about autism, but great strides have been made in the last decade, says a young woman diagnosed with the condition when she was 12 years old.
Caity Rendell, 21, was the ambassador for Niagara’s annual Autism Speaks Canada walk held at Eastdale Secondary School in Welland.
She has her high school diploma from Notre Dame College School in Welland, and while a student there she made numerous presentations on Asperger syndrome.
Employed as an usher at Cineplex in Niagara Falls, as well as being an actress and makeup assistant at Haunt Manor, Rendell also runs a small business selling bookfolds.
Her life goals are simple — to help people and to keep learning.
Following a speech at Saturday’s event, Rendell said in an interview she is inspired by how people seem to be educating themselves about autism and Asperger syndrome, compared to the rate people were learning at when she first was diagnosed.
“I’m amazed at how far we’ve come since then, there wasn’t as much knowledge and support for it,” she said.
“We’ve come a long way,” she added before heading outdoors to the high school’s track for Saturday’s walk.
The event is held at a different location in Niagara each year and has an annual fundraising target of $5,000, which is usually met or exceeded, according to Autism Speaks Canada’s regional co-ordinator for southwestern Ontario, Margaret Bain.
Also, a focus for organizers is making the celebration a comfortable event for people affected by the condition and the many challenges it causes with social skills, repetitive behaviours and speech.
“Here, it’s nice because everyone knows what you’re going through,” she said.
“It is a fundraising event, but we also want to make sure it’s a fun, family experience.”
April is World Autism Month. Saturday’s fundraiser in Welland was one of 18 taking place throughout the year across Canada. For more information ,visit www. autismspeaks.ca.