Thank you for considering making a donation to my Ascent for Autism fundraising effort for OAR. I will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in July 2009.

My younger brother, Aaron, was diagnosed with autism as a child, over fifteen years ago. At the time, autism was not nearly as well-known as it is today and families like mine struggled to find helpful and useful resources to learn more about what his diagnosis meant – both scientifically and in terms of more practical concerns like education and communication. OAR – in its support of ongoing evidence-based research and its role as an informational epicenter for individuals whose lives have been touched by autism – provides an invaluable resource for families like mine. Autism receives less than 5% of NIH funding compared to many other childhood disorders, and considering that autism currently affects 1 out of 150 children in the United States, increased funding for research is critical in improving our understanding of both the etiology of the disorder as well as effective methods for educating and providing appropriate therapies for autistic children and adults.

Sarah and her brother, Aaron, enjoying a hike together.

Finding answers to our lingering questions about autism is certainly no easy task. My decision to climb Kilimanjaro is a dedication to my brother, whose boundless optimism and honest spirit – despite all of the significant challenges in his life – are some of my deepest inspirations. It is my sincere hope that the onward march of research can help provide new insights for ways in which we can better understand autism to improve the lives of those affected by the disorder.

Detailed explanations of my preparations for the climb can be found on my blog page, www.firstclimb.typepad.com. Again, many thanks for your interest!