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Parents, Friends Walk To Find Cure For Autism

Photo provided by Nadine Lambert

Matt Lambert, of Wesley Chapel, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old.

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 16, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - In the eyes of his mother, Nadine, 5-year-old Matt Lambert is an amazing child.

"He's incredible," said Lambert, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Sand Pine Elementary School in Wesley Chapel. "He's very verbal and has a good memory. He's sweet and loving."

Lambert's great respect for her son has grown even stronger in the past year, as he has grown and thrived in the face of autism.

Matt was diagnosed with autism, defined by www. autismspeaks.org as a "complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime ... and that impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others." On Feb. 23, he will walk alongside his parents, Jason and Nadine, and at least 12 other friends and family members in Walk Now For Autism, a benefit event sponsored by the organization Autism Speaks that will raise funds and awareness for the fight against autism.

Matt Attack, the Lamberts' team, is a highly personal endeavor for all involved. As Nadine walks, she'll be pushing her younger son Andrew, 2, in a stroller. Also, although the team is not based at the school, several of her students at Sand Pine will participate, including student council president Holli Ward.

"Matt is the sweetest little boy ever," said Holli, 11.

Nadine Lambert is deeply touched by her students' interest in the walk.

"The kids are very accepting and are willing to volunteer for a good purpose," she said.

At this point, Lambert does not ask for team donations. She does encourage people to donate to Autism Speaks; most of all, she encourages them to broaden their understanding and acceptance of autism.

"There's a big spectrum of autism," she said. "Some autistic children are completely nonverbal. And many famous people, like Albert Einstein, are said to have been autistic."

On a personal level, Lambert first gained knowledge of autism eight years ago, when she learned that one of her students was autistic.

"She was wonderful," she said. "I loved her to death."

And Lambert takes great pride in Matt's efforts and advancement.

Now a prekindergarten student at Sand Pine Elementary, Matt has thrived with the aid of teacher Marti Miller and speech teachers Gina Miller and Michelle Persike.

"He spells words and knows his shapes, loves writing and coloring - anything academic," Lambert said. "And he loves to go to Disney World, where he especially likes to go on Splash Mountain. He's like any other kid."

He's a kid with many friends, many of whom will walk for him.

"I want to help raise money for autism," said Caitlin Matthews, 10, a member of Lambert's Sand Pine classroom and of the Matt Attack team, and vice president of the Sand Pine student council, "so they can find a cure."

AUTISM WALK

SOME BACKGROUND: Autism Speaks' Walk Now For Autism, sponsored nationally by Toys R Us, will take place 8:30 a.m. Feb. 23, at the Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 Fowler Ave. in Tampa.

Participants collect pledges for this benefit walk, defined at www.walknowforautism .org as "the nation's largest grassroots autism walk program." The Tampa walk will include appearances by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and News Channel 8 anchor Stacie Schaible.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: Proceeds from this walk will benefit the efforts of Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to autism awareness, fund-raising, science and advocacy efforts. Today, according to www.autismspeaks.org, one in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, "making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls."

GET INVOLVED: Matt Attack, a Wesley Chapel-based team set to take part in Walk Now For Autism, encourages more participants to join their effort. To learn more about this and other teams, visit www. walknowforautism.org or www.autismspeaks.org.

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