News

Naperville family making 6th autism walk appearance

Posted May 11, 2009 11:00 pm

Courtesy Bob and Jama Wall

Ryan Wall, front row left, is an active freshman at Naperville Central who is autistic. He and his family - brother Jeff Ward, from left, father Bob Wall, mother Jama Wall and sister Jenny Ward - participate each year in Walk Now for Autism. Courtesy of the Wall family

Each weekend thousands of people take to the streets of our communities, walking and running to raise money for charities.

Every one of them has found a cause to believe in, a bit of hope through helping. And every one of them has a reason for being there.

Today, Bob and Jama Wall share their story.

Walk Now for Autism 2009 marks the sixth year our family has participated in this annual event. We walk in honor of our son, Ryan Wall. He is an energetic, handsome freshman at Naperville Central High School.

Eleven years ago when Ryan was diagnosed with this complex neurobiological disorder, autism was not a household word. Since then, autism spectrum disorders, or ASD, have reached epidemic levels with 1 in every 150 individuals affected in some way. It impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to the world around them. Ryan is completely nonverbal but uses an augmentative communication device (similar to a small laptop) to convey his wants and needs. He struggles with behaviors that his brain cannot control. Regardless of his disability, he is very social, involved in Special Olympics and has a smile that lights up the world!

Organizations like Autism Speaks provide support for families living with ASD. They are also dedicated to funding research, raising public awareness and, most importantly, bringing hope to all who deal with the daily challenges of this disorder.

Our team, appropriately named Ryan's Hope, walks to change the future for all who struggle with autism. This is our way of fighting back so others will not have to experience life with autism. The support for our team continues to grow every year. The first year, our team consisted of just seven family members and yielded $630 in donations. Last year, we had more than 50 friends and family join Ryan's Hope at Soldier Field, resulting in $7,000 in donations! Many people came from out of state to be a part of our team. Whether they participated physically or financially, the support our team alone received was overwhelming.

Our story is just one of many. Last year's event attracted more than 16,000 walkers and raised at least $1.6 million dollars. We're all there for a common purpose. It is an investment in the future.

Walk Now for Autism will step off at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, from the 50 yard line at Soldier Field. Registration starts at 8 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. It is a 5K walk through the stadium and along Chicago's lakefront. If you would like to join our team or make a contribution, you can find us at: walknowforautism.org/chicago/bobjamawall.

We walk for hope - Ryan's Hope.

Walk Now for Autism 2009

Sponsor: Autism Speaks

When: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16; registration is at 8 a.m. and opening ceremonies are at 9 a.m.

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago

Donate

Ryan's Hope team: walknowforautism.org/chicago/bobjamawall

General: walknowforautism.org/chicago/

Ryan Wall's friends and family wear team T-shirts reading, "We Walk for Hope - Ryan's Hope." Courtesy of the Wall family

Ryan Wall leads friends and family on the Walk Now for Autism 2008, which covers 5K of Chicago lakefront near Soldier Field. Courtesy of the Wall family

Since the Wall family started walking six years ago, their Ryan's Hope team has grown to more than 50 supporters. Courtesy of the Wall family

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