Run The Dream is a coast-to-coast solo run across Canada by Jonathan Howard of Mississauga , Ontario to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and funds in support of charities that work to assist children with ASD and their families. Jonathan started his run in St. John’s , Newfoundland on March 25, 2008 and has to-date covered over 7,800 kilometres of the approximate 8,000 kilometres of his total journey. Jonathan is due to arrive in Victoria BC on December 18.
On a brisk (gale-like some would say) Newfoundland morning on March 25 of this year, 25 year old Jonathan Howard of Mississauga, Ontario dipped his toe into the Atlantic Ocean in St. John's Harbour to begin a cross-country run, and the first-ever single national event in support of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
7,800 km and 194 Running Days later Jonathan is now on the Lower Mainland of BC. On December 18th he’ll dip his toe in the Pacific Ocean at “Mile 0” of the Trans Canada Highway signaling the completion of his cross-country journey.
What fuels Jonathan’s dedication to the cause, and his commitment to successfully completing his run given that he has no direct family connection to Autism? When a person takes a year out of their life and braves two Canadian winters to raise awareness of the barriers faced by people with an ASD and their families it is a question that must be asked.
The November 2008 issue of Today’s Parent magazine contains a concise and well written article entitled “Autism Now” providing an excellent overview of the state of Autism in Canada which may help in answering the question. Autism affects 1 in 166 children born today - nearly 200,000 Canadians in total - and 25% of Canadian families. ASD’s are complex in their nature, and require a continuum of care to meet the lifespan needs of those affected by an ASD. Autism is reaching an epidemic level in Canada and is diagnosed with far greater incidence than equally serious childhood issues such as cancer, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy. Click here for a graphic comparison and additional information.
Notwithstanding the staggering rise in recent years of the incidence of newly diagnosed cases of ASD’s among children, Canada does not yet have a national health care strategy to deal with Autism and provide research, therapy, and support for individuals and their families who are affected by this mystifying condition. At present there are regrettably only fragmented and inconsistent programs from Province-to-Province and typically substantial costs for parents to provide care for their children. Canada has Federal / Provincial national health care strategies for many other serious health issues such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS, and even tobacco but not for Autism. The title of the Senate of Canada 2007 report sums it up best, “Pay Now or Pay Later, Autism Families in Crisis”. The most persistent, insistent, consistent and visible advocates of Autism support, services, therapy, and research have not unexpectedly been the parents and families of those with an ASD. Additional voices outside of the Autism community have been growing in numbers and with their support there is every reason to believe that “ordinary people can do extraordinary things” and bring about the changes required. For more on the voices speaking up and speaking out – click here. Suffice to say the words of a parent are always the best. The following letter from Nancy Morrison of Bradford Ontario was published in the Toronto Star on November 3.
Thank you to Martine Stonehouse, an adult living with autism, for stepping forward and speaking out for the children with autism who cannot express their feelings and desires publicly for themselves. My son has cried to me that he wishes I could make his autism go away. I explain to him that his autism will never go away, but that is why he has special people working with him to help him learn how to cope with the challenges autism brings. If my son could tell Martine Stonehouse how grateful he is to you, I know he certainly would.
Nancy Morrison, Bradford
If you’re not already somehow engaged in the cause of autism we encourage you to do so. Whether through coming out to cheer Jonathan on and support your local advocacy groups, talking to your elected officials, donating to the cause, or getting even more involved in anther way. It’s something that every Canadian should be concerned with not only for today, but for the future effects it is having on our families, our generations and our country.