Contact Information:
Lisa Ackerman
TACA (Talk About Curing Autism)
PO Box 12409
Newport Beach, CA 92658-2409
TACA Hosts Its First Annual Family Picnic, Fundraiser & Autism Awareness Event
Newport Beach, California – September 15, 2004 – TACA (Talk about Curing Autism) is hosting its first annual family picnic, fundraiser and autism awareness day on Sunday, September 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Irvine Regional Park in Orange.
Of TACA’s membership of over 1,200 families, approximately 300 people are to attend this picnic, including family, friends and children affected by Autism. We are excited to note that this event has completely sold out in record time.
Activities for the children affected by autism and their families include: In-n-Out Burger meals, bounce houses, bubbles, traditional picnic games, face painting, crafts, and access to the beautiful Irvine Regional Park and its amenities. But more importantly, families affected by autism will be able to enjoy a fun-filled day in a family-oriented environment with their friends and their children.
What is Autism? Autism is a devastating neurological and biological disorder typically affecting children between the ages of 18 months to five years of age. Autism affects each individual differently and at different levels of severity. Some autistics are severely affected, cannot speak, require constant one on one care, and are never able to live on their own. Others are less severe, can communicate, and eventually acquire the necessary skills to live on their own. Typically, autism affects individuals in four key areas: 1) Communication (verbal and non verbal), 2) Social skills, 3) Behaviors and, 4) Learning
Current TACA annual picnic sponsors include: Citrix, Oakley, Ralphs, Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), The Listening Center, Chameleon Design, Pinnacle Surety, Autism Behavior Consultants, Bruce Bothwell Esq., NexGen Digital, Affordable Computer Services, and others. More sponsorship opportunities are available and are needed to help support TACA’s annual free services and support for families.
Through this picnic, TACA expects to raise over $25,000 to support annually budgeted efforts provided at no charge to families. TACA’s goal is also to raise awareness about autism now affecting 1 in 166 children across the U.S. and its devastating affect to families. Help us in supporting TACA, our efforts, and the thousands of families affected by autism in California.
For information: contact us
Picnic Location Information:
Date: Sunday, September 26, 2004
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location:
Irvine Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Road Orange, CA 92869
Located at Jamboree and Chapman in Orange.
TACA RESERVED PICNIC SPOT: AREA TWO
About TACA :
TACA is a California based 501(c)(3) not for profit organization providing support and education to families affected by Autism. Since TACA’s inception in November 2000, this all-parent volunteer organization has grown from 10 families to over 1200. TACA now serves families in seven locations across California with a focus on building a community for families affected by autism. For more information about TACA and how it helps families, please contact us.
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| Before | During | After |
I had Christian when I was 19 years old. For the first year of his life I couldn’t imagine anything being wrong with my baby. He smiled; he laughed; he rolled, crawled and walked on time. At age one he had a massive overload for his little immune system. He had two ear infections, a high fever, back to back treatment of major antibiotics and he was given his MMR, varicella and HIB vaccines while he was still very sick. Christian faded away for the next 6 months.
At age two he was diagnosed with full syndrome Autism. I met an amazing mother who introduced me to the group Talk About Curing Autism. Before I found out about TACA, I had no clue that there was hope for my child. From that day on I knew that it was my job to get my son back and undue what had been done to him.
It has been three years since Christian was diagnosed with Autism. I had taken what I had learned from TACA, found wonderful therapists, began a diet, found a DAN! Doctor, and took control of my child’s health. I heard his first word when he was 38 months old, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait.
Today Christian attends a typical private preschool. He is the only child in the class with a diagnosis…and none of the other parents know that. He speaks clearly, has friends, reads, pretends on the playground and even knows what he wants to be when he grows up (which of course changes weekly).
I can honestly say, if I had not found that mom (you know who you are), and not been introduced to TACA, I don’t know where Christian would be today and I don’t know if I would ever have been able to help other parents starting this journey. Thank you TACA, thank you my hero mom, and thank you Christian for fighting this with me. I love you.
Chelsi, Washington State
