Walk supports school for children with autism
As the mother of a son with autism, Candace Meneou is absolutely certain about two things.
First, she'll tell you, her son, Jamie, is "a miracle, like all children."
And second, she wants to make sure that children with autism spectrum disorders have the opportunity to go to school at Giant Steps.
Founded in 1996, Giant Steps is a state-licensed therapeutic day school certified to serve students with a primary diagnosis of autism. The school's mission is to improve children's communication skills while developing academic and daily living skills, and elementary through high school students from throughout the suburbs are drawn to the Lisle school's programs.
Meneou knows why.
Giant Steps provides an environment designed for students with autism. From the physical space to the small classes - and even one-on-one learning - to the support team of therapists for each student, every aspect of the program aims to make students with autism feel comfortable and ready to learn.
Beyond the school's educational, recreational and therapeutic programs, Meneou loves the community her family has found at Giant Steps.
The school not only has connected her with professionals who offer guidance, but has surrounded her with families sharing the experience of raising children with autism. They understand her challenges and joys, she says, and provide support she wants to share with other families.
For that reason, the mom and son from Lockport will join with Giant Steps families on Saturday, Oct. 1, for the sixth annual 5K Walk for Autism at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove to raise money for Jamie's school. Today, Meneou tells us more about her support for Giant Steps.
Q. Who or what inspires you to participate?
A. This is our fourth walk for Giant Steps. My son, Jamie, has gone to school there since kindergarten. He is 11. We love the school and staff and feel very fortunate to attend. We walk so that GS can grow and give other families the same experience.
Q. How has autism affected your family?
A. Jamie was diagnosed at 4 years old. He is a miracle, like all children, but different. It's like parenting without any type of road map with the added benefit of being dropped off into a completely unfamiliar topography. That's why Giant Steps is so important to us - it connects us to a network of people who can help us and to other families like us.
Q. What has been difficult about coping with autism?
A. Lots of things make it tough - lack of sleep; the incredible memory, so that time I got mad when he was 6 is literally a memory that feels like five minutes ago instead of five years; trying to understand something important when his speech consists of echolalia or scripting.
But that's not the most difficult part. The biggest challenge is that this is your life, and so you have to live it, just like everyone else has to live theirs and they have their challenges, too. I can't get hung up feeling like our challenges are harder.
Having a community of families and educators and therapists to support you can make all the difference in the world because they know what you face and you know that you're not up against it all by yourself. We really do love Giant Steps.
Q. What might surprise people about life with autism?
A. We love our kids so much and we really want them to have the experience of being kids and playing and having friends and acting silly. My son is so sweet and so very smart. He lights up when he feels like he's recognized - like when he's singing a song and someone sings the words with him. He's feeling acknowledged.
Also, I love to help people understand autism if they are curious. If you have a question, ask. Sometimes I have a hard time explaining something because Jamie is an only child, so I don't know any different. But then help me learn something about your neurotypical child, too.
Q. What have you learned about yourself, Jamie and others because of your experience?
A. My faith has deepened because I have to depend on the help of others and have to believe that it will always be there for my son even when I am not. But when I get worried about that, I remember that I didn't know about Giant Steps until Jamie was getting to be kindergarten age. Since the very beginning, Giant Steps has been the most amazing place for Jamie.
And for Jamie, I have learned that a person is so much more than what they can do or say.
And, most importantly, in order for people to demonstrate their ability to be compassionate and generous, there needs to be someone who needs their compassion and help. We have been very fortunate to have experienced the best in people in response to Jamie's challenges.
Q. What support have you received from Giant Steps?
A. The teachers, assistants, administration and therapists are all amazing people. They really do love the children, which is why these kids thrive in this environment.
The administration coordinates family events to meet the staff and other families. There's a weekend retreat, and last year we even did the Dozin' with the Dinosaurs at the Field (Museum in Chicago). It's easier to do community events a lot of times when you are with the support of the group and the extra staff to help us parents. They have after school care, which is awesome! There's a resource fair that they have every year and so much more.
Q. What is the Walk for Autism like?
A. This is our fourth year and it's a really nice event. Rich Harvest Farms is absolutely beautiful and there are activity stations for the kids along the way, plus lots of fun stuff before and after at the location.
Q. What would you tell someone who is interested in participating in the walk but might be the slightest bit hesitant?
A. Go! It's is a really lovely venue for walking and you'll meet lots of nice families with great kids, plus you can't help but get inspired by the awesome community that Giant Steps has created for us.
Q. How can readers donate to your fundraising efforts?
A. Visit walk-for-autism.everydayhero.com/us/candy-jamie-meneou-gs-walk-2016.
If you go
What: Giant Steps sixth annual 5K Walk for Autism
Why: Proceeds support Lisle-based Giant Steps' education, therapeutic and recreational programs for students with autism spectrum disorders
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1; registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and welcome at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Rich Harvest Farms, 7S771 Dugan Road, Sugar Grove
Cost: Fundraising encouraged
Info: mygiantsteps.org