12-27-2007, 10:59 AM
MishLuvsHer2Boys Wrote:
Source: http://www.oacrs.com/News/2005/January/Jan24.htm From the OACRS (Ontario Association of Children's Rehabilitation Services) homepage's section "Family Net"
Father carries bag of cement across Canada for autism
Monday, January 24, 2005 - Michelle Strutzenberger
On April 15, 2005 Michael Coles will begin a walk across Canada to raise funds for autism treatment. As if trekking 6100 kilometres on foot isn’t enough, he plans to carry a 55 pound bag of cement on his shoulder throughout the journey. Michael says the concrete is symbolic of “carrying the load for the children” who have autism.
Michael plans to begin his journey in Halifax, Nova Scotia with completion in Vancouver, British Columbia. He anticipates it will take between five and seven months at a rate of 50 to 60 kilometres a day.
He dreams of raising $30 million, about a dollar from every Canadian.
Michael says he would like to see most of the funds raised donated directly to families who are dealing with autism. “The lion’s share of the monies raised will be earmarked… to provide proven treatment and therapy for those that need [it],” Michael tells Family Net.
“It’s very clear that in Canada the medical systems are reluctant to fund these treatments and programs for whatever reasons,” Michael adds. “I hope to cause a stir great enough by the end of this journey to change that for those in need of funding – permanently.”
Michael says the dream for this walk began after the diagnosis of one of his twin sons with Asperger’s Syndrome. As the family struggled with accessing resources and information to help their son, Michael says he realized that “something needed to be done” about the system for supporting families dealing with autism.
The idea of carrying a bag of cement across Canada came to him while he was working at his construction job. He had been lugging cement all day in the rain and the idea “just came into my head.”
“This is what I felt I needed to do to ensure that my son Isaiah and others like him have every opportunity to live a happy, healthy life,” says Michael.
Michael has been training for his walk for the past six months. He typically walks 20 miles two to three days a week with the bag of concrete grout on his shoulder.
“Once the rain backs off a little I will be increasing that amount to between 25 and 40 miles three to four days a week,” he says.
Michael has been spreading word of his trek through the media in British Columbia where he now lives. He hopes to raise awareness of the walk across Canada before it begins, to increase the likelihood of reaching his $30 million goal.
People interested in supporting the “Carrying the Load for the Children” walk can contact either call 604-613-3090 or e-mail nezosparky@yahoo.com.
A Web site is under construction which will include information about the walk, online donation capability and links to resources for autism.
The trek is a project of Little Feet Children’s Charities Society in British Columbia.
Father carries bag of cement across Canada for autism
Monday, January 24, 2005 - Michelle Strutzenberger
On April 15, 2005 Michael Coles will begin a walk across Canada to raise funds for autism treatment. As if trekking 6100 kilometres on foot isn’t enough, he plans to carry a 55 pound bag of cement on his shoulder throughout the journey. Michael says the concrete is symbolic of “carrying the load for the children” who have autism.
Michael plans to begin his journey in Halifax, Nova Scotia with completion in Vancouver, British Columbia. He anticipates it will take between five and seven months at a rate of 50 to 60 kilometres a day.
He dreams of raising $30 million, about a dollar from every Canadian.
Michael says he would like to see most of the funds raised donated directly to families who are dealing with autism. “The lion’s share of the monies raised will be earmarked… to provide proven treatment and therapy for those that need [it],” Michael tells Family Net.
“It’s very clear that in Canada the medical systems are reluctant to fund these treatments and programs for whatever reasons,” Michael adds. “I hope to cause a stir great enough by the end of this journey to change that for those in need of funding – permanently.”
Michael says the dream for this walk began after the diagnosis of one of his twin sons with Asperger’s Syndrome. As the family struggled with accessing resources and information to help their son, Michael says he realized that “something needed to be done” about the system for supporting families dealing with autism.
The idea of carrying a bag of cement across Canada came to him while he was working at his construction job. He had been lugging cement all day in the rain and the idea “just came into my head.”
“This is what I felt I needed to do to ensure that my son Isaiah and others like him have every opportunity to live a happy, healthy life,” says Michael.
Michael has been training for his walk for the past six months. He typically walks 20 miles two to three days a week with the bag of concrete grout on his shoulder.
“Once the rain backs off a little I will be increasing that amount to between 25 and 40 miles three to four days a week,” he says.
Michael has been spreading word of his trek through the media in British Columbia where he now lives. He hopes to raise awareness of the walk across Canada before it begins, to increase the likelihood of reaching his $30 million goal.
People interested in supporting the “Carrying the Load for the Children” walk can contact either call 604-613-3090 or e-mail nezosparky@yahoo.com.
A Web site is under construction which will include information about the walk, online donation capability and links to resources for autism.
The trek is a project of Little Feet Children’s Charities Society in British Columbia.
may the bag of cement disfigure his spine! MHUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
