JG-TC.com > Features > World Autism Day activities planned to help raise <br />awareness through public reading, art and worship

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:07 PM CDT
World Autism Day activities planned to help raise
awareness through public reading, art and worship

By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
dschabbing@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — A daylong event geared to raise awareness about autism is planned April 2 at the Broadway Christian Church in Mattoon.

The event is being organized by Julia Boyd of Mattoon. It is one of the first-known World Autism Awareness days to be hosted in Illinois.

Boyd and her husband, Bill, are the parents of a non-verbal autistic child, Jacob, 8. They also have an older daughter, Jackie, 9.

“It’s exciting to be able to use my gifts and organize this day for autism awareness,” Boyd said. “Having an autistic child has made us better people.”

The event will start at noon with a public reading of the book “Rules,” which is written by Cynthia Lord. “Rules” is being presented by the Mattoon Middle School Student Reading Club Committee.

The book is about a young girl named Catherine, who has a brother with autism, and the book focuses on the rules she tries to teach him.

From noon to 7 p.m., an “Autism and Art” showcase is scheduled in the main foyer of the church. Artwork made by autistic children, youth and adults in east central Illinois will be on display.

The day will conclude with a worship service titled “In the Hand of God,” from 6 to 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Music selections will be led by Todd Zastrow, worship leader, and his wife, Kyla, and Boyd. All are parents of children with autism.

The song “I Am the Child You Love,” written by Boyd and inspired by her son, will be performed by a children’s choir.

Parents of special needs children are encouraged to bring the entire family to this worship service. Alicia Hart, family and community resource coordinator from the Autism Program Service Center at the Charleston Transitional Facility in Charleston, will be on hand. She also can be reached at 348-3869.

In addition, the Boyd family has been involved in the creation of a piece of jewelry that represents autism nationwide, Boyd said.

Anyone can purchase the piece of jewelry at www.compelling-creations.com. The item can be worn on a chain or ribbon as a necklace.

“The piece represents the hand of God, and He truly holds the key to the puzzle of autism,” Boyd said.

Those who purchase from Compelling Creations and uses code 929064 will allow 30 percent of the purchase price to go toward the Autism Program at the CTF.

Boyd is the spokeswoman and prayer advocate for this jewelry piece.

Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.

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