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Alexis is 9 years old. She wakes up every day with a smile on her face. But she also wakes up to face more challenges than most people do, because when Alexis was 11 months old, a neurologist diagnosed her with autism.
That doctor informed Alexis’ mother, Erica Kosares, that an institution might be the best place for Alexis. But like many children with autism and related disabilities, Alexis defied all the odds. She has overcome many obstacles and surpassed the expectations of many experts. In fact, she can now walk and communicate. “She has accomplished more in her first nine years than most people will ever accomplish,” Kosares said.
In 2005, Kosares founded The Alexis Foundation in order to help other families with similar challenges. The Alexis Foundation provides information on autism, Angelman syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, and other related disabilities. The foundation offers parents resources about legislation, programs, therapies, and diet. Kosares’ work with The Alexis Foundation, which does not fund any animal experiments, earned her a PETA Life-Saver Award.
The Alexis Foundation has also developed a new program designed to help the families of autistic children face the special challenges that are presented in emergency situations. Project Safety Net is engaged when an emergency 911 call is placed from a home with an autistic child. The 911 dispatcher is automatically informed that there is someone at the residence with autism or a related disability, and that information is immediately forwarded to the first responders, who will then have a better understanding of the needs of the individual they are going to help. This system can also help in locating missing autistic children: It makes automatic calls to people in residences and businesses in the area asking them to be on the lookout for a missing child and to call 911 if they see him or her.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.alexisfoundation.org. |
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