A MESSAGE FROM Brandon and Eric's Eagles Autism Challenge
On May 18, 2019 my son Eric and I will join the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization and thousands of others from the community to ride, run or walk in the Eagles Autism Challenge.
Please read Our Story below to understand why we support this cause.
Thank you for visiting and if you decide to donate we greatly appreciate it! 100% of your donation goes directly to the Eagles Autism Challenge.
If you can't or are not interested in donating or if you just enjoyed reading our personal story with autism and know someone who may also enjoy it please feel free to share this with them as the more people who become aware of this cause the better!
If you prefer to donate by check, please make your check payable to the Eagles Autism Challenge, include my name in the check memo and mail to:
Eagles Autism Challenge
One NovaCare Way Philadelphia, PA 19145
Our Story
If you know me, are friends with me on social media or even just look at my profile picture chances are you have either met, heard me talk about or see pictures of my son Eric.
Eric loves his mom, dad and brother, going to school, anything and everything related to animals and dinosaurs, playing with toys, watching movies and T.V., eating pizza, cookies and drinking soda, and sleeping.
Based on that description would you think that Eric was 1 in 68 people in the United States alone that have been diagnosed with autism? If the answer was no, then you were incorrect because like the other 99 cases that are diagnosed daily, Eric is diagnosed with autism.
Since he was born and one of the many things we love so much about him, Eric has always done things his own way. However, as he got older and still wasn’t talking regularly we became concerned. He was becoming very difficult for us as he really had no way of expressing his feelings or needs and as a parent it really hurts as you begin to question “Am I even able to raise my son?”. His speech, development and behavioral therapists helped but they recommended an evaluation for autism. We honestly had no idea what to expect and it’s fair to say we viewed it as negative as we had limited exposure to autism in our lives to that point and just knew of the stigma.
Today nearly two years after his diagnosis, Eric rides the bus with other to and from school five days a week and his speech has increased tremendously. Every day I am home to get him on the bus I get emotional because at one point I was worried if he would be able to handle an environment like school, let alone a bus by himself. Just seeing him be able to do it and head off to school makes me so happy.
My wife and I took it upon ourselves to make sure that after that diagnosis that we would do everything we could to make sure we give Eric everything he needs to succeed and lead the best and happiest life he wants to lead. It is tough and did require some sacrifices and by no means are we finished but every day we see him grow makes us more and more dedicated.
I know a lot of people quickly think of autism a disability, which yes in some cases may be accurate. But many with autism just may need different support, learning styles or needs than other kids or adults. Autism doesn't define intelligence and there is no cure so by failing to be aware of these needs or support these people we are not only failing them but failing society as well as there could be lots of very productive, caring or intelligent people unable to reach their potentials.
Last year I was amazed to find out the news that my favorite football team was establishing an event to raise money to support autism research and awareness. I was taken back by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie’s own experiences with helping his brother who has severe autism and that he personally has donated over $75 million dollars to helping fund autism research. (His story below, great read)
The Eagles have been such a huge part of my life and just seeing all of the players and coaches I root for running and biking even though the event last year ended up being in the pouring rain to help a cause I hold so dearly meant the world to me. People get so caught up in arguing or debating sports they miss the incredible impact some of these players have off the field.
So this year on May 19, 2019, Eric and I will be traveling back to Pennsylvania to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and participating in the second annual Eagles Autism Challenge. We will be participating alongside the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization and thousands of others who will ride, run or walk to raise funds for innovative autism research and programs.
The Eagles Autism Challenge donates 100% of participant-raised funds to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health in support of a collaborative effort to make a lasting impact in the field of autism. Last year’s event was able to raise $2.5 million dollars and hopefully we can be a part of making this year’s is even bigger!
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