Happy World Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day!   Below is a message from the  President of the Autism Society of America

Today is world autism awareness day. Today, throughout the world, individuals will come together highlighting the needs and dreams of people living with autism. Today, all of us at the Autism Society honor and respect each individual living with autism for whom they are. We celebrate and honor parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, and other professionals who provide support and love to those living on the autism spectrum. We celebrate those who, years ago, did not accept what they were told they couldn’t do and today have shown what they are capable of. We celebrate those elected officials, business and religious leaders who value the beauty of a person with autism.

But today, we also must realize that autism, in growing numbers, exists each day of the year. We also must remember that while we aim to increase awareness of autism, the larger societal need extends way beyond awareness. Our nation still lacks a strong commitment to assuring that each person living with autism is provided an opportunity to realize a quality of life so many are still denied. Our nation must stop talking about autism and do more than talk. Today, most people living with autism are discriminated against in employment and access to a quality public education. Parents regularly must battle with their child’s school to ensure their child receives the required and legally mandated opportunities to succeed. We are all aware of the issues people with autism still face today. Let’s use today to focus the conversation on making meaningful change.

Today promotes the need for awareness and the Autism Society joins in that effort. But it is not enough. But the real question that must be asked is will we as a nation on each day of the year really commit to allow each person living with autism to advance on a successful path, free of unnecessary obstacles to maximize his or her quality

of life. When that is the reality, we can then celebrate as a nation that we did something right. Autism impacts 1 in 88 individuals. It is time to allow each “one” on the autism spectrum a life of success and opportunity.

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Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona will be at the Autism Society of Great Tucson 7th Annual Piece the Puzzle Walk/Run and Resource Fair on Sunday, April 7, 2013 a the University of Arizona Mall to provide parents and caregivers information on how to their their daughters involved in Girl Scouts. Several Girl Scout troops will also be participating in the walk.

Originally posted on TMC News

October 15 was just an ordinary day at University High School until something extraordinary happened.  The marching band was taking a break from a rehearsal when they all lined up for dinner.  Suddenly Chris Miller, a sophomore, collapsed and started seizing.

Everyone froze.  A circle formed around him.  All Erika Yee, a junior, remembers hearing is, “Does anyone know CPR?”

She did.

In fact, it was very fresh in her mind.  Just four months prior, Erika attended Camp Fury, a Girl Scouts firefighting camp in which she learned compression-only CPR.

Erika admits she didn’t really think about what was happening.  She just sprang into action.  “I raced over to him, and checked for a pulse.  I didn’t feel anything.  He had all the signs of cardiac arrest.”  Erika started chest compressions immediately – a move that ultimately saved his life.

Janet Studley, a parent volunteer who spent time as a nurse, monitored Chris for a heartbeat, and kept his airway open while Erika continued to pump his chest.  “I was doing compressions for about three minutes, but it felt like 20 minutes,” she recalls.  “Paramedics got there, and took over.  It wasn’t until after Chris was on his way to the hospital that everything really started to sink in.”

Chris was rushed to TMC, where he remained for the first two days of his treatment.  “When people told me what happened, I was just so grateful to be alive,” he says.

To this day, doctors can’t fully explain why Chris’ heart did what it did.  In the event it happens again, though, a defibrillator that was surgically inserted in his chest will shock his heart into beating again.

Chris says his outlook on life has changed since that day:  “I truly appreciate every day now.  It’s kept me motivated to keep doing what I’m doing.”

The experience has also been life-changing for Erik

a, who grew up wanting to be a dermatologist.  Her aspiration now?  To become a paramedic.  She says, “The medics who came on scene said if Chris hadn’t gotten those chest compressions, he likely wouldn’t have survived.  I am so grateful for what I learned in Girl Scouts at Camp Fury.  I’m so glad that I have these life-saving skills.”

Debbie Rich, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, says what Erika did is right in alignment with who she is as a person.  “I am so thankful that she had the leadership skills to take charge of the situation, and she knew what to do.  She told me that the reason she could handle that was because she’s a Girl

Scout, and that’s what Girl Scouts do.  I think the Camp Fury experience gave her the skills, and added to her confidence, but I think

she is just wired that way because she’s been a Girl Scout since she was 5 years old,” says Rich.

“I didn’t think what I did was really a big deal, but a lot of people did,” Erika says.

City of Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild recognized Erika with a copper plaque for her heroic efforts.

How did Chris’ parents thank the young woman who saved his life?

“We just hugged her, and cried, and said ‘thank you.’  We are just so glad she was there.  We just can’t thank her enough.  I’m really glad she is getting recognized,“ says Sarah Ann Miller, Chris’ mom.

To see the story that appeared in the Arizona Daily Star, click here.
For more information on the Girl Scout’s Camp Fury, click here.
For a video on how to perform compression only CPR, click here.

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