KRHS junior an activist for autism awareness

By Laurie Gordon
FREDON — Kittatinny Regional High School junior Caitlin Ward, of Fredon, is stepping up in the name of her cousin to help spread awareness about autism. Thanks to the generous people at Giant Gymnastics and Alpha Fitness plus Ward's hard work, there will be a Zumbathon at Alpha on Friday, April 21 and an Open Gym fundraiser on Friday, April 28 at Giant, with all of the admittance fees going directly to autism research. So come zumba on the 21st or tumble and try your hand at some high tech gymnastics equipment on the 28th and help Ward help her cousin and the many, many people affected by autism.
"My cousin was diagnosed with autism between eighteen months and two years old," Ward said. "Autism has been a part of our lives since then. I realized how much this affects people lives. I want to spread awareness about the disorder. I want to raise money that will go towards research about autism to families who are affected by this disorder."
All proceeds from these events will go to Autism Speaks which is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Autism Speaks enhances lives today and is accelerating a host of solutions for tomorrow.
Ward is a one-woman-show with this effort and took it upon herself to approach Giant Gymnastics and Alpha Fitness with her ideas.
“The owners of Giant, Jen and John Skorski, along with gym manager, Carly Krohn and the owners at Alpha, Anthony and Janessa Freda, were great helping me organize these events,” she said.
At Kittatinny, Ward is a member of the field hockey team, the National Honor Society and the Safe Teen Driving Campaign.
Both events are open to the public. Ward said for both events people should wear comfortable clothing and “If possible please wear blue as that's the color for autism awareness. This way we can help 'light it up blue' for the month of April.”
All donations as well, will go to Autism Speaks.
To register for the Friday, April 28 Open Gym at Giant Gymnastics of Sparta, go to www.giantgymnastics.com/2017-04-04-open-gym-for-a-cause-autism-speaks or call Giant at (973) 579-9400. This will be held in the evening.
For information about the Friday, April 21 Zumbathon, call Alpha Fitness at 973-300-0707. This event will be held from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Newton gym.
For further information about either event, Caitlin Ward can be reached at cward11599@gmril.com