Massachusetts resident Robert Williams stopped in Emporia this week mid-way through a cross-country journey to raise money to benefit families affected by autism.
Williams took to the streets on foot on May 18 via US-highway 50. He hopes to reach his destination by Thanksgiving, in Washington, D.C. He is walking in honor of Elias Tembenis, who was born in 2000. Elias died when he was 6 of seizures. Williams, who is a barber and stagehand, is a friend of the Tembenis family and chose to walk in honor of Elias. The money Williams raises will go to the National Autism Association and 100 percent of the funds raised through the Walk for Autism will be donated back to families.
While in Emporia, Williams stopped at Fire Station No. 2. Elias’ father is a firefighter and sent an e-mail to Fire Station No. 2. The station put Williams up in a hotel room and fed him while he was in Emporia.
Williams said he hopes his walk will make an impact.
“I don’t think people will understand the importance of this walk until it’s over,” he said.
For more information on the walk or to donate go to: www.walkforelias.com or www.firstgiving.com/RobertWilliams
Comments
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How wonderful! A close friend of mine just got a diagnosis of autism on her older child. She was heartbroken. He is very high functioning but will always have to struggle to do what comes so easily to others. So I've seen first hand the effects autism has on a family. I hope this walk does raise awareness of autism.
Posted by Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Madpoet,
If your friend lives nearby Emporia there is a local resource group for parents; The Umbrella Group (TUG). I am a member of this group and the PR contact. If anyone wants to join or get more information about our group, please call me at 794-1622 or email, dorceyhaus@cableone.net.
I am the parent of a high-functioning autistic person and have been doing this for 11 years.
Thank you,
Denise Dorcey
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My son was diagnosed as borderline Autism. He has many characteristics of it but you have to have so many in order to be clinically diagnosed. It is a daily challenge for all of us but we are so lucky to have many in his school that really put out efforts to help and mental health services.
Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
She lives in Missouri but I'll pass it along, thanks.
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)