My son, Tyler, may appear to be a happy eight-year-old boy who loves football, Star Wars, Marvel superheroes and all things Disney. He’s a kind caring and compassionate child who is very willing to make those around him laugh and smile. He’s selfless and determined to achieve goals all while not realizing he is autistic. Tyler was diagnosed with high functioning autism at the age of 3.
He has a sensory processing disorder, where he is unable to be in large crowds or long lines. He will run back and forth in a straight line for no reason or purpose. He had a language delay and I was concerned he would never speak or be able to communicate. When he received his autism diagnosis I was left with so many questions and very little answers. What caused this? How do I help him? How will this change his life, forever? There was no turning back and I was devastated. To be told your child has a lifelong disability is heartbreaking and very difficult to explain to family and friends. However, one day, I realized while Tyler was playing with his younger brother, that they accepted each other exactly the way they are.
Autism does not define who Tyler is; however, helps us to understand who he is. Autism is a broad spectrum disorder that presents itself in children and adults differently and no two people with the diagnosis have the same traits. Tyler inspired me to help spread awareness of what autism is and help to make it a more common topic in everyday life.
All of these events inspired me to start a journey to help inspire others to ask the questions, why is this happening, how can I help and how do we spread awareness as to what autism is to help our current generation of children and those who have not yet found their voice. As a result, in 2018 I was able to join the Eagles Autism Challenge in Philadelphia, a 5k walk, run or bike event in order to help raise funds for local hospitals in Philadelphia for autism research. I created my team #TeamTylerC in order to raise money to help find answers, meet other autism families and find a support system within the autism community.
Through the Eagles autism challenge, I have watched the Philadelphia Eagles launch the Eagles Autism foundation and install a state of the art sensory room in the stadium to make sporting and entertainment events more sensory friendly for everyone; as some children are more sensitive to loud noises, crowds and over stimulation. We can all start the conversation of what is autism, is something not quite the same with my child and how can we help.
Tyler continues to be my reason why and my inspiration for this journey, because autism is a journey and it is not a race. We are in this for the long haul and I will do what I can for Tyler to help make a difference in the autism community.
-Stephanie Stricker BSN, RN, CMSRN
If you would like to help support Stephanie and Tyler in their fundraising efforts for the Eagles Autism challenge and make a tax deductible donation or find more information please visit fundraisers.hakuapp.com/stephanie-stricker-3 Together we can all make a difference.
