This year my family and I will be walking on April 27 for the Annual Walk for Autism. The walk this year hits close to home for us. As many of you know (or may not) last Jan/Feb. Owen began showing signs of regression; lack of eye contact, wanting to be alone, some sensory issues. Then at the beginning of Feb. after an elective ear tube procedure, he went mute. Owen had lost all his words and was pretty much in his own world at the age of 20 months. After countless doctors, exams, tests, and pokes, in August 2018 we received his official Regressive Austim diagnosis. 

To say we were terrified, angry, and lost was an understatement. How is this happening and why, were daily questions I asked myself. I felt lost as his mom and trying to connect with him and enter a world I was unfamiliar with. A different world and a different little boy than I had raised for the past 20 months. This past year has tested Seth and I in many ways. Our faith, our marriage, our medical eduation, and our parenting styles. 

Fast forward a year, and we have come a LONG way to those lonely days when it all began. Im not going to lie and say it's perfect because everyday is a new adventure for us. But the one thing we have come to realize is that little boy that I felt was different...he isn't. He is still my Owen, it just took us some time to find each other again and his world can be pretty awesome. Today our weeks consist of 10-12 hours of therapy a week (speech, Sensory OT, Play therapy, and ABA). Owen now has over 100 word approximations and blows us away with his ability to communicate and interact without conversational language. He is ridicuously intelligent and the sweetest, funniest, and unique little boy I know. He turns 3 in May and will be starting preschool in the fall. He loves Paw Patrol, Toy story, dinosaurs, and trains. He loves the outdoors, helping with yard work, running, collecting sticks, swimming, and jumping in puddles; all things that other boys his age love. We do meltdowns, sensory needs, picture boards, weighted blankets, and rituals. But the one thing we dont do is GIVE UP! 

I would love for you to consider donating to this great cause so that we can help find the missing pieces to the puzzle and help provide funding for research, therapies, and bringing awareness to Autism. Seth and I have recently decided to try and embrace this and not be angry. We never want Owen to feel that his Autism is a bad thing, we only want him to know that it makes him AU-wesome, unique and a stronger little boy becasue of it. Our team name is Owen's Voice, as a mother I felt I often took for granted his ability to talk and commuicate with me until it was gone. Im so happy he is beginning to use his cute little voice again and I can't wait to hear more. I know it will come and he is going to do great things with his Voice someday. 

"Why fit In when you were born to Stand Out"  -Dr. Seuss 

Thanks everyone 

Heather, Seth, Owen, and Ben

CLICK HERE to walk with Owen's Voice

18th Annual Walk for Autism | REGISTER TO WALK

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2019                                              

Registration Time: 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Walk Begins: 11:00 a.m. promptly; Pre-Walk Announcements at 10:45 a.m.

LOCATION - BEACH 11

A two-mile walk is held to increase awareness of autism, fund projects and activities for individuals with autism in our community.   100% of the proceeds stay in our local area.  Adults and children alike may rollerblade or ride along in strollers or wagons, jumping inflatables (weather permitting), face painting, arts & crafts, theme basket auction and autism merchandise booth will be available. Lunch will be provided to walk participants.

Entry Fee: Registration donation of $20.00  (Kids 14 and under walk free)
Pre-registration Deadline: April 1, 2019

YOUTH (age 14 and under)  YOUTH COMMEMORATIVE WALK T-SHIRTS ARE PRE-ORDER ONLY.  ALL YOUTH SHIRTS (includes adult size shirts for youth age 14 and under) MUST BE ORDERED BY APRIL 1, 2019.  

Place: Presque Isle State Park, BEACH 11            
Parking: on-site at Beach 11