Posted on 18 December 2008
(Ottawa – December 18, 2008) Senators Jim Munson and Art Eggleton congratulated Jonathan Howard today for completing his coast-to-coast run of Canada in support of families with autism.
“With this run, Jonathan has inspired Canadians, raised awareness, and given hope to the more than one in 160 families affected with autism across Canada,” said Senator Munson whose enquiry into autism resulted in the Senate report, Pay Now or Pay Later, Autism Families in Crisis.
Jonathan’s campaign, called "Run the Dream" was the first cross-country effort of this kind in support of families with autism. During his run, he raised awareness of the challenges autism presents to Canadian families, and the fragmented support they currently receive.
According to the Senate of Canada report, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is the most common neurological disorder in children. Almost 200,000 people in Canada have been diagnosed with an ASD and that number continues to grow dramatically, with 1 in 166 children being diagnosed with an ASD. ASD changes the way the brain processes information and can affect all aspects of a person’s development. Individuals with ASD have varying degrees of difficulty in social interaction and communication.
“It is important that we remain committed to this important cause and continue the work towards autism care, support, and research” said Senator Eggleton, Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, which published the Senate report on autism.
To learn more about Run the Dream, go to www.runthedream.ca (external site).
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For more information, contact:
Amélie Crosson
Office of the Honourable Jim Munson
P: 613-995-1850
E:
crossa@sen.parl.gc.ca
Paul Faucette
Office of the Honourable Art Eggleton
P: 613-943-3639
E:
faucep@sen.parl.gc.ca