Stepping out for autism

EVERYONE is urged to put their takkies on and cheer the walkers of the ‘Big Autism Thing’ on at the Port Shepstone lighthouse this Sunday, March 1 at 8am.

The full-time champions will walk a designated route each day for the duration of the event. As they enter towns, the local autism organisation (if any), support groups, residents and other community organisations are encouraged to join the walk.

The 2012 Big Autism Thing was a most successful event with eight people, including a young woman with autism, having completed the mammoth journey, on foot, from Durban to Cape Town.

Sheryl Mulder, principal of Cornerstone Learning Centre, urged everyone to be at the start to welcome these amazing people, and walk along with them on the first leg of their journey.

As April is International Autism Awareness Month, Cornerstone Learning Centre, a newly-opened school for children with autism and significant developmental delays, will join people around the world showing support, understanding and acceptance of all persons who have autism.

The centre is a non-profit organisation based in Marburg. Since opening in January 2014, it has been inundated with calls from parents, therapists and other schools needing placements for children who require the specialised education that the school offers. There is an urgent need for additional classrooms so more children can be enrolled.

As the centre is a major beneficiary of the Big Autism Thing, it calls on everyone to support this event, to enable it to reach more children and make a real difference in the community.
Anyone who would like to support the walkers or make a donation can contact Ms Mulder at 039 6856467 or 082 5750128.