Autism Walk participants surge ahead at the crosswalk of Christian and Elm Streets. Laura Stephenson ’09

On Sunday, May 4th, 2,200 people gathered outside of the SAC to show their support for those affected by autism through an organized walk around Wallingford. The 2.5 mile walk, “Walk Now for Autism” was hosted by the Autism Spectrum Resource Center (ASRC), a Wallingford-based organization. Though the annual Walk is now in its tenth year, Sunday marked the first time it was held at Choate, as ASRC had recently moved from Hamden to Wallingford.

The ASRC started making arrangements for the walk in November. The ASRC raised $160,000—in past years, the average funds raised was $125,000—and the new Choate club, AWARE, raised $258 selling pins. This money will be used to train teachers, emergency providers, and families across Connecticut in integrated recreation, so that people learn how to interact effectively with autistic children. Although most participants of the walk were familiar with autism and were related to an autistic child, the event was informative for others who attended to support the cause.

The event both began on the Choate campus, went into downtown Wallingford, and finished back at Choate. The registration and activities were free, but an optional fifty-dollar registration fee was offered. Those who chose to pay the extra fifty dollars received T-shirts for the event.

Katherine Brake, Manager of Special Events at Choate, and Lois Rosenwald, the executive director of the ASRC, helped to organize the event. Ms. Rosenwald said that her organization is a “state organization run by families” and needs donations from events, such as the walk, to fund its unique support groups for parents and siblings throughout the state. Ms. Rosenwald is working to create laws that will insure that teachers are educated about Autism, as well as laws that will initiate the creation of large parent support groups.

Participants arrived at 9:30 AM to register, and the walk itself began at 10:30. Volunteer Choate students helped to register participants and to guide and encourage them throughout the walk. Sandy Shanahan, who acted as the liaison between ASRC and Choate, said, “The Choate volunteer students were so great: they were involved in everything! I just received an email out of the blue that said ‘I just wanted to say that this was the best walk I have ever been on—with all of the Choate students helping, it was a perfect day.’”

Clear Radio hosted entertainment during the Walk. Children kept busy with a moon bounce and face painting, button making, and arts and crafts booths, while adults enjoyed free coffee provided by Starbucks. The Kaprophones sang and Chili’s served free hot dogs after the walk. An autistic child presented his juggling abilities, while a few more performed karate on the corner of Christian Street and Main Street. Prizes were awarded for the best-dressed dogs and the most-colorful carts.

Dan Pahl ’10, one of the Kaprophones singers who performed, said, “It was a really great experience for me singing at [the Walk], and it seemed like all of the walkers really enjoyed it as well. Events like this make you realize how lucky you truly are.”

Mrs. Shanahan remarked that the headmaster gave immediate approval for the on-campus event after she had been contacted by ASRC a few weeks ago. Although the administration never knows how an outside group will behave on campus—there is always the risk of damaging fields and leaving a mess—the volunteers and the ASRC did a thorough clean-up job.

Mrs. Shanahan, whose niece, Dianna, has severe autism but was reported to have been in a good mood the entire day, commented, “Mr. Shanahan and I are huge believers in this cause.” This year, one in every fifty children is autistic.

Susan Podesta Cozzi, Mrs. Shanahan’s sister, said about her daughter’s reaction to the walk, “The idea that there are so many people who really care and want to make a difference is such an overwhelming feeling. I know that deep down, Diana felt that energy, and she felt that people were there for this cause.”

Julie Hipp, who is the Board President of the ASRC and was responsible for organizing the food, entertainment, promotion, and advertisement of the event, raised awareness by sending an email to the 5,000 people who were part of her autism group. She said that this year’s turnout was the biggest and that groups of 100 would walk for a single child: “Autism is very lonely, but families felt safe going to this event.”

Darreal and Amy Stancuna walked with their children Chloe and Garret, who has not yet been told of his autism diagnosis. “We’ve dedicated our life to continuing to support the cause,” Amy commented. The family has participated in all of the ASRC annual walks. According to Darreal the event is getting bigger, which is a good sign. Both parents mentioned their gratitude for the adaptive swim and skate programs at Choate. “It’s been great. The kids love the hockey players and the pool.”

Mrs. Shanahan estimated that if many towns pull together for the cause even for a few hours, it will have a huge impact. Alone the NRG energy company donated $10,000.

Although perhaps not as influential in a monetary sense, Choate volunteers played important roles in keeping high morale and a friendly atmosphere, which touched the hearts of several walkers. One woman even extended her hand to Jaimie Greenwald ’11 and Max Mullen ’08 and exclaimed, “Thank you for all that YOU are doing!”

Mrs. Shanahan remarked on the enthusiasm of the students by saying that many people had approached her and marveled at the extent to which the volunteers had assisted them. She said, “Not only were they helpful in terms of registering and guiding walkers, painting faces and singing, but every volunteer was happy to be there, smiling, fun, upbeat, positive. It really lifted the energy level and everyone noticed it, felt it, reveled in it!”

Around Academy Street, volunteers began distributing puzzle-piece shaped erasers. Upon reaching YMCA, the walkers were joyous to see the mass of cheering Choaties, handed out Goldfish and juices and shouted phrases of encouragement to the fatigued walkers.

The Choate student volunteers assigned to operate a machine to create autism buttons were dismayed when they could not figure out how to work the machine because the technical assistant had not shown up. After breaking the device twice, they enlisted in the help of a willing 10-year-old autistic boy, who showed the Choaties who to use it.

Vicky Luh ’11 said that it was not what she expected. “These parents are so loving and acceptant of their children. It’s amazing. It’s the power of love.”