Real People. Real Experiences. Real Stories. - Autism Awareness Month

Today we have the pleasure of sharing with you a story sent to us by a speech pathologist/mother of a child with autism!

"Today, I had the pleasure of joining countless other parents and advocates at the University of New Mexico Center for Developmental Disabilities. A ceremony was held outdoors there, where Governor Susana Martinez signed HB.22 into law. She was joined by Bernalillo legislators, Rep. James Smith (R) and Senator Bill O’Neill (D), who sponsored the bill as a measure of bipartisan legislation to expand coverage from the 2009 Health Care Purchasing Act to cover public employees, state workers, municipal employees, and public school teachers.

Governor Martinez spoke to the crowd of families and advocates, after being introduced by the Executive Director Sara Baca, of the New Mexico Autism Society. Ms. Baca presented Governor Martinez with a plaque and a t-shirt from the Ellen Reavis Race for Autism which is occurring tomorrow, April 5, 2013 in Albuquerque. The governor spoke about personal accounts about how family members deal with caring for loved ones with disabilities, referencing her life, caring for her disabled sister for the past 7 years. She spoke about a personal story shared by one of the bill’s sponsor, who as a teacher at an East Mountain school had no coverage for her child with autism. During her speech, Ms. Baca’s own son, who is on the autism spectrum, stood next to the Governor, and passed her pens to her for the signing. Governor Martinez donned the shirt that was presented to her prior to signing the bill into law, and placed a signature puzzle design scarf around the child’s neck.

Following the signing, the Governor was greeted by lines of families wishing to offer their appreciation, and to have their picture taken with her. Many of them had short personal stories to share with her, about how this expansion bill will impact their family. I also had the pleasure of meeting Governor Martinez. I shared with her that as a mother of a child with autism and a speech language pathologist, I realize how much of an important step this is and what a difference this will make in the lives of many.

This is one step toward helping the 1 in 50 children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders. There are many more steps that need to be taken. There are still gaps; there are many families with no insurance at all, still others who have insurance but the deductibles and copays are so high in order to keep the premiums affordable, that the appropriate therapies are still cost prohibitive. Awareness and acceptance are necessary and key to the future of these families."

-Sherri North, MS CCC-SLP

Sherri North, MS CCC-SLP with Governor Susana Martinez

Questions, comments, etc: thecommunicareproject@gmail.com 

Share your story as part of Autism Awareness Month! More info here: http://thecommunicareproject.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-is-autism-awareness-month.html