By Debra Forman
Loving mom Paddy
Burrows becomes highly emotional when her mind wanders back in time to
when her daughter, Rylee, was five months old and several doctors predicted that the young girl would never run…or even walk. “Now she walks, runs, jumps, and plays, thanks to some amazing people who helped her along the way. The unsung heroes of autism treatment, if you will.”
Heather DiPrato’s 12-year-old son, Jimmy, who is non-verbal was diagnosed with autism in 2007. For more than 10 years she and her husband Jim have worked with dozens of “phenomenal professionals,” who have dedicated their lives to helping local families.
This is why Burrows,
and DiPrato, want to
spread the word about Potential’s First Autism Caring Excellence Awards, (ACE
Awards), to recognize and honor the inspiring and life-changing
workers in the field of autism treatment.
“It can be so difficult to navigate all of this when it’s your child, but these therapists gave us tips and strategies and truly helped our daughter every step of the way,” says Burrows.
DiPrato adds, “These new ACE Awards give parents and caregivers the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing people who are really the heroes of the autism community.”
Potential Inc., of Newtown, is
encouraging parents, caregivers and members of the community to nominate anyone
who helped their loved ones and whom they consider exceptional in the way they
treat, care for, and help people with autism reach their milestones.
The winner of the ACE Awards
will be announced at a Gala Fundraiser, HoeDown, ThrowDown for Autism
Treatment, on Saturday, March 23, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the New Hope Winery, 6123
Lower York Road, in New Hope, Pa.
This fun-filled Western-themed fundraising event includes live music, tons of prizes, cocktails, dinner, an auction, line dancing instruction, dancing, and a golden opportunity to celebrate the community’s many “unsung heroes,” during the ACE Awards presentation.
Nominations are now open to those who live or work within 25 miles of the 18940 Newtown zip code. The deadline to submit
nominations is midnight on Saturday, February 2. To submit a nomination
please go to tinyurl.com/potentialace2019
Potential, a non-profit organization, was
founded in 2006 by Kristine Quinby and helps children and adults with autism reach their full
educational, social and emotional potential.
