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Health & Fitness

Autism Awareness

As the month of April, recognized as Autism Awareness Month in Simsbury and around the World, draws to a close, I would like to say thank you to all who helped highlight this important public health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism impacts one in 88 people in this country, and as a result, autism impacts one in 88 families, mine being the one of many here in Simsbury. Every mother's job is to help her children thrive and to help create an environment in which they can be successful, but families raising a child with autism face profound emotional and financial impacts. For the third year in a row, Simsbury has participated in Autism Speaks’ Light It Up Blue campaign to raise awareness about autism, by lighting Eno Hall blue. Many of our schools lit their entrances in blue to show their support. Additionally, I have received countless emails and notes from citizens saying their homes were lit blue to stand with us. To know, and SEE families with Autism supported by our community in this way speaks volumes about the people of Simsbury. On April 1, Simsbury kicked off Autism Awareness Month at Eno Hall. I and other autism families, was joined by Senator Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Representative John Hampton, First Selectman Mary Glassman, Deputy First Selectman Lisa Heavner and Selectman Sean Askham. These are the people who partner with us for change. Autism is a public health crisis that belongs to no political party, and I thank the voices of our political leaders who speak up for our families At our April 8th Board of Selectmen meeting I had the honor of reading a proclamation designating April as Autism Awareness month and was joined by some extraordinary autistic members of our community on the dais. People with autism live, learn and work in our community and I am grateful to the Board for their continued support. Please remember, that autism does not end on April 30. Our families and neighbors live with autism 365 days a year. I urge you to take the time to learn more by visiting www.autismspeaks.org Shannon Knall Simsbury Selectman

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