It was only fitting that on Tuesday, World Autism Day, the community came together to kick off an important and amazing world-wide event that will be coming to the Sunshine Coast in October.
Dignitaries and community leaders from all walks of life joined at Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club to officially announce the International Naturally Autistic People Awards Convention and Festival that will run Oct. 1 to 4. Nominees from 17 countries will be in our community to be honoured for excellence in visual and literary arts, performing arts, sport and technology.
When the awards started, only three countries took part. Now the world is certainly taking notice and shining an even brighter spotlight on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism - a group of complex disorders of brain development.
According to the Autism Speaks website, these disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism affects more than 10 million people around the world with associated intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.
Leonora Gregory-Collura is the founder of Naturally Autistic ANCA and organizer of the convention. She was recently recognized with a B.C. Community Achievement Award for her tireless dedication to autism awareness. When the awards were first started, many people, according to this community champion, thought they were a bit crazy thinking that an event such as this could reach out and touch so many hearts. But that never deterred her efforts and now the world is coming together -on the Sunshine Coast in October - to honour, celebrate and recognize this important cause.
This event will not only shine a spotlight on autism, it also will shine a spotlight on this community - a community that is welcoming and that has something for everyone.
Hockey spotlight
We're shining the spotlight on another community champion this week too, as Brenda Rowe was selected by Kraft as one of five winners in the Kraft Hockey Goes On contest.
Rowe is a tireless member of the Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association who has dedicated her volunteer efforts towards youth and making the game better for all. The $20,000 she won for the association will be put to good use continuing to make the great game of hockey fun for all.
