Three siblings with Autism will learn to ride a dirt bike as part of a new project to raise awareness for nonprofit Autism Speaks and the 2010 Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Speaks.
On October 16, a family of three brothers with autism will learn how to ride a dirt bike at the Glen Helen Raceway, 18585 Verdemont Ranch Rd. in San Bernardino.
Beginning at 10 a.m. October 17, 12 riders from team AS IS will race in “24 Hours of Glen Helen”, a 24-hour endurance race.
Team captain and founder Thomas King, 48, is an adult on the Autism Spectrum, with a recent diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome.
Says King of his diagnosis and his desire to raise awareness, “There are people out there who are affected by this much worse than I am. I’ve got to do something to help them.”
The team is known as “AS IS” because as King says, “People have to accept us as-is”. A special custom bike with the Autism Speaks logo was created for the team’s race, and will be featured in October’s issue of “Dirt Biker” Magazine.
Says Phillip Hain, Executive Director of Autism Speaks’ Los Angeles Chapter, “Thomas King has demonstrated stewardship for other adults on the Autism spectrum with his inspirational and creative project, AS IS. Not only is he raising awareness of this disorder but he’s teaching others and doing something fun to show possibilities—not limitations.”
For more information contact:
Team AS IS captain, Thomas King, 951-225-5096, alethia7777@yahoo.com
Autism Speaks Publicity co-chair, Jess Block 909-706-8525 JessBlock@verizon.net
Autism Speaks Executive Director, Los Angeles Chapter, Phillip Hain, 323-297-4727 phain@autismspeaks.org
ABOUT THOMAS KING: A veteran of the Army and of the Marine Corps, King is a professional sculptor of bronze memorial statues. He lives in Temecula and is married with two children.
ABOUT TEAM AS IS: Bringing Autism supporters together from across the US and Canada, AS IS will participate in the prestigious off road race, the 2010 Baja 1000. The creation of a full-length documentary with proceeds from the film going to Autism Speaks is also planned. AS IS welcomes the support of volunteers, photographers, dirt bike owners and enthusiasts.
ABOUT WALK NOW FOR AUTISM: The 8th annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks 2010 event will take place April 24, 2010 in Pasadena. The 2009 walk hosted 17,000 people and raised 1.27M at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS: Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization, dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
ABOUT THE ADULTS WITH AUTISM PROGRAM: Autism Speaks offers information and resources for adults with autism regarding employment, housing and other needs.
The media is invited to attend the lesson and the race. Professionally captioned photos are available upon request.
