As with most parents who hear the words "your child has Autism" I freaked out. I cried, I was mad, I was lost and confused but mostly I hated myself. I was 100% sure that Drake having Autism was my fault. I did everything I was supposed to do when I was pregnant. I ate all the right foods (for the most part, I gave into some cravings), I was on no medications, I was active and I didn't drink or s
moke. Yet some how my precious boy had gotten Autism. After the sadness and shock had time to settle in, I started telling people that Drake had Autism. I noticed after telling people, that not that many people knew what it was or knew very much about it. A few months later I seen a website that mentioned a walk in Milwaukee, WI that was going on to raise money and awareness about Autism. I instantly signed up and that's what started Team Drake. We participated in our first Autism Speaks walk in 2012 and continued to do so for the next 3 years. We raised well over $12,000 in those 4 years for Autism Speaks. Then in the summer of 2015 it hit me. As much as I supported Autism Speaks and believe that they are doing a fantastic job raising money and spreading awareness about Autism, I noticed that none of this money or awareness was hitting my community. I also felt that they weren’t advocating for autism. They were just advocating for a cure. Team Drake was going to change that! I am happy to announce that Team Drake officially started raising money in 2016 to be given to Baraboo East Elementary Schools Autism class for water safety. My son, as well as most Autistic kids are drawn to water. Yet they have no fear of it and don't understand the dangers water can bring. Accidental drowning was responsible for approximately 91 percent of the total deaths in the U.S. reported in children with autism aged 14 years and younger. This year our goal is to change that. Team Drake plans on being around for many years to come and we plan on donating and bringing awareness to our community. Every year we would like to raise money for a different project and we are open to suggestions. I am setting this page up after many people have asked me what Team Drake is up to and people also want to know where their money is going. This is an easy way to keep everyone informed, updated and also spread awareness. So thank you so much to everyone who has supported Team Drake in the past and will continue to in the future.
