There are amazing advocates world wide spreading cheer and one of them lives right here in Acton. Melanie Foxs is the proud mom of 15 year old Connor Hope. Like so many events, autism awareness events were canceled this year. Melanie had been scheduled to advocate on parliament in Ottawa today. Locally, events like the autism flag raising and mayoral speech were also cancelled. Undeterred by this set back, she has decaled her car to raise awareness. “You can’t see autism”, says Foxs but you certainly can’t miss her car. “Everyone that is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder have a journey, a life-story, and inspire me on a daily basis. We can all learn from their examples, from feeding themselves to communicating through sign language or devices, to getting a job and living on their own.” There is still work to be done and needs to be met. But Foxs says there are many local advocates who deserve to be thanked, “Mike Cluett, Sameera Ali, Clark Somerville, Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz, Laura Kirby McIntosh, and Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette,” just to name a few. In honour of Autism Awareness Day, Connor would like to organize a food drive for The Acton Foodshare. He hopes to collect 50 canned items and 10 boxes of cereal by Monday night. These items can be dropped at Dollar Stretcher Daze in Acton. He will collect them Monday night to be delivered Tuesday morning and he thanks you all for anything you are able to provide. Like her bumper sticker says “Autism doesn’t end at 5.” Advocates everywhere, like Melanie, ensure those with ASD and their loved ones, are both seen and heard.
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