Frankie Waldron, 4, works as hard as he can eight hours every day ? just so his family can understand his simplest requests.
Frankie was diagnosed with autism at the 18 months.
“You overlook typical milestones in children, because with Frankie, everything?s such an accomplishment,” said Peter Waldron, Frankie?s father and a Lutherville resident. “The other day, Frankie pointed at the fridge and said, ?I want ice cream,? as clear as day. So the whole family had ice cream at 7 a.m.”
Initially, Waldron and his wife, Julie, suspected Frankie was just developmentally delayed. But after he stopped making progress, they took him to Kennedy Krieger to investigate. The tests indicated autism and the Waldrons entered Frankie into Kennedy Krieger?s early intervention program.
Today, Frankie is doing well. “Over the last month, he?s really picked up his verbal skills, he is able to ask for things and respond to us, and we can interact,” Waldron said.
The Waldrons were so grateful to the institute that for the past two years, they have raised more than $20,000 for Kennedy Krieger?s ROAR! Ride On for Autism Research annual event. The ride raises funds for autism research.
“It?s amazing the amount of therapists, doctors and professionals who take to your child as if he were their own. We wanted a way to give back,” Waldron said. “So we started Frankie?s Friends to be able to contribute funds to Kennedy Krieger.”
Owings Mills resident Pam Gillin, a mother of three, leads the fundraising and planning efforts for ROAR. Her 15-year-old son, Johnny, a ninth-grader at Kennedy Krieger High School, has autism.
“He?s on the diploma track and incredibly proud of that,” Gillin said. “He?s diligent and he cares, and he just has a great spirit.”
Gillin?s other children, 8-year-old daughter Ryan and 13-year-old son Hunter, will be participating in the ride on April 27. Hunter has even started his own team of friends, “Hunter?s Heroes,” to ride for his brother.
“It?s a huge family event,” Gillin said. “This is my third year participating, and it?s a great opportunity to take your family out and teach your kids that they have the power to make a difference for people who can?t do it for themselves.”
HOW TO HELP
ROAR! Ride On for Autism Research will take place on Sunday, April 27 at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville. For more information, to donate, or to register at the group’s Web site.
