Meet Team Autism
Team Autism – Detroit Free Press Marathon 2007
Rajesh Bihani
On October 21st, 2007, I will be running my fourth marathon—my second
for ASA/OCC. Autism is a cause that is very dear to me because I have an 11
year old son who is on the autism spectrum. I am extremely glad to be a part
of Team Autism in its first year and I hope that the team will just grow in
strength and numbers every year. Go Team Autism!
Joan Collier
As the mother of an eight year old daughter with autism, I’ve been
involved in autism community since she was diagnosed at the age of two. I
can’t think of a better way to raise autism awareness than this team
activity. I think the ASA/OCC and Rajesh are really on to something here,
and I look forward to being a part of what will surely be a growing team
each year.
Theresa Hindermeier
I have been running since I was a teenager. I don’t normally run in
organized events, but I think this is a great cause, and I am happy to support
it. This will be my first time running a Half Marathon.
Steve Luyckx
I've completed 13 marathons over a 10 year period, including eight in Detroit
and two in Boston. My son has autism, and I credit him with giving me the
desire to become a long distance runner. Our community needs everyone’s
support in dealing with this challenging disorder. Please support Team Autism
in this year’s marathon so we can provide more services within our
community.
Brian
Wagner
I am 41 years old and live in Macomb Township with my wife Katy, and we
have been happily married for 14 years. The 2007 Free Press Marathon will
be my second one. My first was the Glass City Marathon this past April
in Toledo. I am very happy to be "Running for a Reason," especially
for the sake of Autism Awareness. My main source of inspiration throughout
the grueling training and the race will be my 6 year old nephew and godson,
Leo Palmer, who has Asperger's Syndrome.
Nelson Bowers
I am a 27 year old graduate of the University of Michigan, working for a
business software company in Farmington Hills. I enjoy staying very active
in all different
kinds of sports, and recently began running once or twice a week. I would like
to do a marathon someday, but a marathon relay will be good enough for now.
I am excited to be taking part in this activity, and doing it all for a
good cause.
Alicen Gillespie
I have been an avid runner since junior high school and am honored to be
a part of Team Autism. This is my second year as a participant in the Detroit
Free Press
Marathon Relay event and I’m looking forward to competing again. By
running as part of Team Autism, I hope to bring more awareness to a disease
that affects
thousands of families every day.
Pradeep Modi
This is my first experience participating in a marathon, and I am looking
forward to the experience. I have never walked this far; I am nervous as
well as excited.
I am very happy to be the part of the Autism team. I feel that Autism Awareness
is a very good cause and would like to help spread awareness and support
in any way I can.
Madhu Modi
This is my first experience participating in a marathon, and I am looking
forward to the experience. I have never walked this far; I am nervous
as well as excited.
I am very happy to be the part of the Autism team. I feel that Autism
Awareness is a very good cause and would like to help spread awareness
and support
in any way I can.
Barbara Baker
Marathons are new to me . . . I'll be walking a half marathon this year.
As President of Autism Society of America, Oakland County Chapter,
I'm proud to
participate
in this race along with thousands of others who are training and accomplishing
more than they ever thought possible. Our chapter has a huge job ahead
of us as well as we advocate for meaningful life participation for
those with
Autism
Spectrum Disorders in Oakland County. 1 in 150 kids today are impacted
by ASD. We run (or walk), for them.
Nicole Rumao
I am a senior at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, studying
Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Science. I have always enjoyed learning
and challenging
myself
physically and mentally. That is why I am excited and honored to
be supporting Team Autism in its pursuit of awareness for the autism community.
I have
been running since high school, in cross country races, but this
is
the first time
I will be running a relay in the Detroit Marathon.
Dee Smith
I am
a 38 year old mother of two—a 6 year old boy and an 18 month
old girl. This will be my 2nd Free Press Marathon Relay and I am
looking forward to helping my relay team run for Autism Awareness. I
am happy to be running this
year in honor of my friend’s two sons that have Asperger’s
Syndrome—8
year old Jeffrey and 7 year old Matty.
Ray Pierce
I'm a 38 year
old Macomb Township resident, husband to Bonnie and father of three
wonderful children: Brennan, Jessica,
and Chloe.
I love to
play golf, watch and coach baseball, and I enjoy running to keep
in shape. I think "Running
for a Reason" with Team Autism is a great cause and it will
give me great inspiration to contribute and support it this year
and many years to come.
Brad Therrian
I am 28. I live in South Lyon,
MI with my wife, Jacky, of just over two years and our dog, Maggie.
I am now starting my
fourth year
teaching.
I teach Middle School Social Studies/History. I am doing this relay
team for a couple of reasons. I am doing this because in the past
couple years
I have
recently started to enjoy running and I'm ready to take it to a
new level, doing more than 5K's. Most importantly, as a teacher
I am
always interested
in participating
in an event with an excellent cause. I really appreciate the offer
to participate in this event.
Matt Brostrom
I have had the pleasure
of training for, and running 2 marathons and many half marathons. This
is my first time running
for
team autism.
I am a physical therapist who has assisted in the treatment of
many children over
the years and I am acutely aware of the struggles faced by children
with autism and their loved ones. Let’s make a difference,
go team!
Anne Jones
I am the aunt of a beautiful eight year old
girl with autism. I like to support any organization that raises
awareness
of or money
for autism.
My
sister asked me to join her team so in essence, I will be a walking
(or should I say running) advertisement for this cause. Someday,
they'll find a cure.
Anna Heckla
I am a 28 year old telecommunication
specialist. I am a Michigan State Alumni in Zoology and an Army veteran.
I am
running
my first full
marathon for the Autism Society because I feel that the organization
helps the community.
Mary Korr
I am proud to be a part of this
event. I've seen how my niece has progressed through the years thanks to
programs
dedicated to the
treatment of autism. I've
run in a number of races for a variety of causes, but this
cause
is especially personal to me. My running speed may be a bit
on the
slow
side (can you
say
turtle?), but anything I can do to help raise autism awareness
is worth the humiliation
of seeing my run time.
Jeanna Stewart
I am a 29 year old Oakland
County native and first time marathon runner. I am also a former college
basketball,
softball, and
track athlete
of Northwood University and the University of Northern
Colorado. I am now finishing a Master's degree at Oakland University
with
an emphasis
in counseling.
I look
forward to making a difference in the lives of children
and making this
world a better place for all.
Scott Goldstein
I have run
over 15 marathons in Detroit, Boston, Toledo, Scottsdale and Tucson. My
personal best
is 3:16:01,
which qualified
for Boston after a
little begging to shave two seconds. Since then I have
run Boston 5 times. I organize
a loose group of runners and we get upwards of 20 people
for a long run every Saturday throughout the year.
Ramesh
Chheda
I am a child and adult neurologist in practice since 1986. I have
a lot of experience evaluating and
treating patients
with autism
spectrum disorders.
I understand the challenges faced by patients and their
care givers. I admire the ways families tackle these
challenges. I have run
several half
and 2
full
marathons since 1993. I am looking forward to running
the Detroit Free Press Marathon For Autism Society
of America,
Oakland
County Chapter.
Steve Wallag
I live in Dearborn Heights,
Michigan. I am 29 years old and am running in my first marathon
ever.
I am
thrilled to
be running
for and
supporting
such
a wonderful cause. I hope that through everyone’s
support, more events like this can take place in
the future.
Leigh Herbster
This is my first experience running a marathon event. I have run 10ks in the
past and I will be attempting the half marathon for Team Autism. I am excited
to be part of this group and to help spread awareness of the disorder.
Jim
Luyckx
I have been a long distance runner for over 25 years, and have completed
many long runs with over 20 Marathons. The long distance running has shown
me how we must always work constantly to improve our selves and work toward
constantly helping others. My cousin’s son has Autism and I wanted
to provide support to him, his family and others to help provide additional
awareness
to Autism.
I hope that I can help support the effort to understand and develop successful
treatments and cures for Autism.
Craig Fitzpatrick
My name is Craig Fitzpatrick. I'm 37 years old. I'll be running my first
marathon on October 21, 2007 in Detroit. I currently compete in Olympic
Distance Triathlons,
Road and Mountain Cycling races, and various 10k, and 10 mile running races.
I am a police officer with the Troy Police Department. I'm married with
2 boys aged 3.5 and 1.5 years.
Venkatesh Haranahalli
Growing up as a child I took part in various sporting events that involved
running. Since 1999, I have participated in several race events. I came
across Dr. Ramesh Chheda at CRIM 2007 and volunteered to run for Team
Autism. Last
several weeks I have enjoyed training with team Autism members. This
is going to be my first full marathon. |
