Autism Awareness
Submitted by nicholaslombardi on Sat, 12/27/2008 - 09:19.
Last updated on Sun, 02/08/2009 - 11:58.
Vital Stats
ongoing project
12/27/2008
People Impacted:
1000People Involved: 1
Money Raised: over $25,000
Project Video
The Problem
Children with autism often appear to be misbehaving. I want to give them a voice. They are not misbehaving they are good kids they just have autism.
Why It's Important
I wanted to give my brother Joey a voice. Joey is non-verbal and has autism. Sometimes Joey can do silly things. Folks use to look at him and misunderstand him. When I was 10 I designed and created a button that states "I'm not misbehaving I have autism please be understanding” The button WORKS! Now when Joey wears the button folks offer him the support and kindness Joey needs.
The Plan Of Action
At first I created the button only for Joey. I then told Autism Speaks about my project. They loved it and now offer my buttons on their web page. Now not only do I get to help my brother but other kids like him. I also created a web page to help awareness. I sell my buttons for 3 dollars each and donate 1 dollar of every sale to Autism Speaks. To date I have raised over $25,000 for autism awareness. I have helped 1000s of families be understood and also given support to an organization that is researching a cure. In hopes that someday no kid will need my button.
How Can Others Get Involved?
Awareness. Education. I hope until there is a cure, we can help make this world a little easier for kids like my brother. And the button can do just that.
Project Updates
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Comments
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Help Autism Awareness
Buy a Button www.autismbutton.com
Odds of a child becoming a professional athlete: 1 in 16,000
Odds of a child being diagnosed with Autism: 1 in 150
Nicholas,
You have done a great service for our children with Autism. We love your button. It was a great idea and my son wears the button whenever we go out. It really makes a difference in how people perceive him. It has given him a voice and helped people understand him better. Kudos to you for a job well done!
Nicholas has created something which will be of service to many families with autistic children for years to come. This project shows his deep sensitivity, compassion, and genuine concern to be present to others and to help families dealing with autism. Nicholas has worked hard to make his little corner of the world better and is attempting to spread that concept so that the world will be better for all of us.
Nicholas: You are a role model for siblings around the country. It is truly a pleasure to work with you and to help support your wonderful project. You have been blessed with such tremendous gifts and it is a joy to watch you use them so effectively and forcefully.
Keep up the awesome work. -Alison at Autism Speaks
Nicholas..You have opened the eyes of your family and friends making them aware that something can be done for the cause of autism...Because of you and your pin people will open up their hearts and minds to the current situation. At last you have made the world aware that perhaps they can make a difference
When you see a child acting "strangly" and then see them wearing your pin...has made people aware that the child has an issue and should be treated with respect and dignity for both the parents and the child....Keep up the good work and spread your word to as many as possible...love
Grandma
Hi Nicholas,
Your project is impressive! Your message and the button design are so simple and well designed, they get the point across.
Your family must be so proud of you!
You should be proud of yourself too.
- Elizabeth
(a friend of Chris's)
Hi Nicholas,
Your aunt Chris refers to you as her "brilliant nephew" on Facebook and I can see why she does from the things you have done and are doing here.
I have some autistic friends and from that I have learned that they are "real people" who are badly misunderstood most of the time. Society often treats people who are "different" as if they don't count, or don't have feelings, or don't deserve respect or love.
What I find interesting is the statistic you quoted... "professional athlete: 1 in 16,000" versus "diagnosed with Autism: 1 in 150". With that rate of autism you would think people would be more familiar with the behavior patterns of autistic persons. Unfortunately, it must be that autistic persons tend to get "hidden" by their "loving" families that keeps them hidden. I think what you are doing helps destigmatize autism.
It is wonderful that you understand these things already and care enough to do something about them rather than what most people do (ignore and/or remain silent).
I'm sure this will only be one of many things you do for other people in your life. Keep up the good work.
~ Patrick Parks
I think this is awesome.
How many buttons have you distributed? Please update your profile here. Very cool idea.
Hi Marrymejoejonas
Thanks you for your kind words. I have distributed aprox 7,000 buttons. My buttons are in Spanish too! Someday I hope they can be in every language.
Nicholas - I love watching the enthusiasm you're generating. More and more people get hip to the fantastic work you're doing. It kept me wanting to know more, which is what good writing does.
Would you consider reprinting the speech you gave at Montefiore Hospital here, as your next post? Maybe some pix/videos of you and Joe?
And now that you've got us involved: I hope you'll also update us on some of what's new - what new programs, etc. you know about. Even news headlines that make your blood boil, regarding autism - so we can all take action!
Much love and let's talk soon?
-- Aunt Chris
Nicholas, Your button has literally changed people's lives and helped make the world a more tolerant, accepting place. Your love for your brother gets spread further with every button and sticker that another person wears.... Thank you for being such a terrific advocate. We're all really proud of you and proud to be a part of your project. -- Sheila at Autism Speaks
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"
-Your small step to help your brother has reached out to so many and grown into a giant leap helping them to understand and care about individuals with autism.
If there where more caring, intelligent and motivated young people like you the world would be a better place for all of us.
I am very proud of you and can't wait to see what the future holds for you. I know it will be extraordinary!
-Susan J. Mazzariello
Nicholas
You are a thoughtful, kind and creative young man. Joey is so lucky to have a brother like you. I was so excited and happy that you came up with the button. Everytime I am out somewhere and a child is behaving "differently" I think of you and your button. You have created an awareness that goes beyond the button. You are a great inspiration to others.
My family is so proud of you and we thank you for your efforts and your desire to help others.
Matthew's Aunt Dart
Great work. You are an inspiration.
Hi Nicholas,
It was great to see you on New Year's at Uncle AJ and Aunt Annette's house. WE are very proud of your project and the wonderfull work you have done to help kids with autism.
Keep up the great work and good luck on your speaking tours! You are growing up to be a great leader!
Love,
Aunt Toni and Uncle Bill
Hi Nicholas,
We are so proud of you and what you involved with. You are an amazing brother ans Joey is very lucky.
Keep up all the wonderful work! We love you.
Uncle Artie, aunt Gina and Christopher
Help Autism Awareness
Buy a Button www.autismbutton.com
Odds of a child becoming a professional athlete: 1 in 16,000
Odds of a child being diagnosed with Autism: 1 in 150
Help Autism Awareness
Buy a Button www.autismbutton.com
Odds of a child becoming a professional athlete: 1 in 16,000
Odds of a child being diagnosed with Autism: 1 in 150
Great Job Nicky!!!!! I am so proud that you are my cousin. The button is a symbol of what a wonderful young man you are. I love you.
Jo Mink
Nicholas, You are wonderful! Living with autism is a challenge and you have made it a little easier for involved families. Such a simple thing like a button has made a huge difference in people's lives. Other people talk about what they do. You DID something!Now, think of something else to do.
Thanks for all your support. I am thinking of something new. I want to speak to Disney. They give buttons out all the time, maybe they will give out buttons that give kids with autism a voice. While I was there, Joey wore his button and it helped. If I had my wish the world would be a little more like Disney World happy and understanding.
Hi Nicholas:
Well done, as usual.
Your loyalty to Joey and fight for such a cause will help not just him, but everyone effected by all facets of autism.
Keep up the fight, Nick.
Nick,
You are a wonderful brother!!!! I think what you have done is extraordinary --- you not only have changed the world for your brother, but for so many other children and their families too. I wish there were more people in the world like you. I love your idea of wanting to get Disney to give out your buttons. I also wish that the world was more like Disney!
Keep up all the good work you do!
-Mrs. Boyd
your cause is amazing. i feel your pain. little sister who is 11 going on twelve has autism. she is very verbal but her behavior......well it could use some work. but even when she is behaving and se talks ppl judge her and it makes me so made. i wish i could get them to understand. more power to you. email me if i can help. coopjmc@optonline.net
I love this. My younger brother has Autism, and I am doing a project involing Autism.
But this is great, it really helps the problem of not understanding these children.
:)
I am astounded at your compassion and comforted knowing that there are people out there like you. Thank you for what you do for a sometimes very misunderstood group of people.
I've been making really cool bracelets since i was younger and i wanted to start selling them to earn money to donate wholly to autism awareness but i have no clue on how to get started. can anyone help me out?
Hey Nicholas!
This project is SO awesome!! I'm very close with a group of Autistic kids at my school- I always look forward to hanging out with them... they are so positive, perceptive, and creative!! The effect that your project is having on those with Autism and those who may not be on the spectrum seems profound, and I am so glad to know that someone so young is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding about Autism!! Keep up the awesome work- I can't wait to hear about what you come up with next!! (I'm going to buy a button right now...) =]