This is not a political statement. It is a fact. As individuals, as a community, as a state, as a country, and as members of a global community, we have a responsibility. That responsibility is to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. That responsibility is to provide adults with Special Needs who due to their biological conditions, have communication deficits, and problems with daily living, which modern medicine does not yet know how to cure, a place their needs can be met and potential constantly developed. A place that is safe. A place that is therapeutic. A place that is supportive. This is the vision of Katie Cancro who founded the non-profit organization Fill-A-Need.
Katie is an architect and a mother of a son with Autism. When her son was four years old she learned the brutal truth that a future for her son with Autism did not exist. Knowing the abilities and capability that her son possesses, made it clear a future had to be built, for him and thousands like him. The organization's mission is to support adults with special needs including but not limited to Autism, by identifying, nurturing, and developing each adult’s individual potential. This will be done by building a Hamlet, a small village, a self-sustaining green campus that will offer a vocational and therapeutic day program for adults with special needs.
The most recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control published in March 2012 show that 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The study also shows a 17.1% increase from a decade earlier which is about 1.8 million more children have been diagnosed with Developmental Disabilities, which are defined as a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays. And yes, I know there are those of you out there who say these statistics include a broad and wide range of children who have mild impairments but get lumped into these statistics due to definitions used by the CDC. And yes, you are correct. However, there are many whose impairments cause difficulties in realms of functioning that will require lifelong care. This is where Fill A Need will fill the gaps that currently exist for these individuals.
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At this point I am hoping that some of you reading this will want to support this organization. There are many exciting ways to do so.
Be a part of the launch of something inspirational. Join us on Saturday, November 16th, 2013 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ for the ‘Bridge the Gap’ Gala. This event is sure to inspire you as Fill a Need Foundation begins the journey to create a local solution to the global problem of the future for adults with special needs.
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This evening to remember includes several special events that you won’t want to miss. “The Unveil” is the highlight of the evening, as Orange County Choppers will be at the gala televising the reveal of the custom motorcycle made to support Autism Awareness. TV crews will capture “the unveil” and the drawing of the winner of the motorcycle raffle. The episode will air on Orange County Choppers in December of 2013.
You also won’t want to miss a riveting guest appearance by Ty Pennington, Emmy award winning host of “Extreme Makeover Home Edition”. Learn about Fill a Need Foundation’s vision to provide a local solution that brings the community together like never before.
Entertainment by the Zoo Band, celebrity guests and unique live auction items will add to the excitement of the evening.
For further information about the gala, tickets to the event and to purchase motorcycle raffle tickets, visit www.fillaneedfoundation.org or contact KatieCancro at katie@fillaneedfoundation.org.
Isn't it by helping and supporting those who can't help themselves in turn helping everyone? Isn't it in giving, even just a little, that we receive tenfold? And yes, isn't it time we made it a part of our daily lives to help the children and adults who due to Developmental Disabilities and Autism need our help the most? I believe it is and so do the wonderful volunteers of Fill A Need. www.fillaneedfoundation.org.
