To the Corporate Community of Canada, the excellent organizations serving individuals with autism, and to the many families of children living with autism:

I believe the following true story will provide hope to parents of children with autism dealing with the uncertainty of their child’s future, and a message to those able to provide financial assistance that united, we can make a profound difference for so many of these precious children. No matter what the functioning level is of the individual, no matter what the disability is, every person has untapped potential.  Given the opportunity, they can and will improve their development and well being.

At three years of age, my son Lee was classically autistic; non-verbal, aggressive, self-injurious, displaying extremely challenging behaviours. The situations we as a family went through with Lee were extremely difficult and unimaginable. We were unable to venture out in public, often trapped in our own home, due to the unpredictability of our son’s reactions to people, unfamiliar places, and most of all, “life noises”; an airplane, an announcement, the ice machine, a fire alarm, even rain! These examples of unanticipated noises sent him in a flight, of fright, incapable of regulating his own emotions. The lack of understanding from the general public made the experience all the more trying. 

After years of countless therapies and the power of strong unconditional love, today at fifteen years of age, Lee is a delightful, very verbal, very funny, highly functioning young man with autism.  He is totally integrated into his community.  His dramatic progress began at eight and a half years of age, at which time he began to speak naturally, in sentences, and express his feelings. Seven years later, it is mind-boggling, even miraculous, how articulate and easy to manage he has become.  Yes, he still displays some autistic characteristics, but today he is connected to our world and we are confident that one day he will be an independent and productive citizen contributing to our society.   My son has been my inspiration to raise awareness of this disorder, and to help many excellent organizations capable of making a difference for other kids whose potential remains unrecognized and untapped while they wait to access services.

As a result of Lee's paramount improvement, I created Unity for Autism; a completely volunteer based charitable foundation, void of all salaries and most overhead costs, ensuring that the monies we raise will provide access to programming as a result of our grant, without a financial barrier to the family.  The goal of the foundation is to raise substantial funds to assist many wonderful organizations across Canada intent on meeting the growing demand that exists for service.  In the past four years, we have raised close to one million dollars for over 25 centers of excellence, each for specific programs that enhance the development and well-being of an individual with autism. 

Lee is living proof that given the support, we can change the prognosis of many of these children.  Lee is not alone, as many children with autism have made remarkable progress, regardless of their functioning level.
 
Thank you for visiting our site and assisting our foundation’s goal in uniting to make a profound difference for individuals touched by autism and the heroes that support them!

” When there is unity, there is always victory!”

In gratitude,

Thank you,

Kathy Deschenes
Executive Director