Dear editor,
When I started the CV Autism Parent/Family Support Group in February of 2011 it was with a need to have other parents to share experiences with and offer support.
Little did I know three years later we would be 60 families and so active in the autism community. Families helping families, until all the pieces fit.
We use the four puzzle pieces as our logo. Yellow is for child, blue is for families, red for community and green for the world.
April is Autism Awareness Month and April 2 is World Autism Day and our group is starting our community awareness campaign.
As part of this year's awareness campaign, we have decided to join the world autism theme of Lighting It Up Blue but have added our own twist to Light It Up For Autism.
We will wear blue T-shirts and sporting wristbands, both of which can be purchased at the Comox Valley Child Development Centre. We are also placing blue lightbulbs in our entrances for the month. We invite our community and families to show their support and do the same.
As a parent of special-needs children I would love to ask the world to be more tolerant and understanding of children with different needs. Read about autism, ask questions, visit our website (www.comoxvalleyautismparentgroup) and our static display at the malls.
Our group mandate is to help support families dealing with autism in our community. There is no prerequisite to being a member, just a need for support.
Our families mentor and share experiences every first Wednesday of the month at the CVCDA at Third Street and and Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Patricia Rousseau
Editor's note: Patricia Rousseau is the co-ordinator of the Comox Valley Autism Parent/Family Support Group.