Danbury Celebrates Autism Awareness

DANBURY, CT — Local agencies, activists, businesses and dignitaries painted the town blue on Tuesday as Danbury celebrated Autism Awareness Day.

For the third consecutive year, on April 2, Danbury joined the Autism Awareness Movement as families of loved ones in the spectrum and the rest of the community came together to light up the Danbury Public Library blue for autism and host awareness-focused events for all ages throughout the day.

The afternoon began with an autism awareness story hour with Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour, featuring the children’s book "I Will Light It Up Blue" by Kerry Magro, an award-winning national speaker and best-selling author who is on the autism spectrum, at the Library’s Children’s Department.

Later, a screening of the documentary "Deej," a film about a non-speaking young man who dreams of autistic civil rights, was held in partnership with WeCAHR and sponsored by Autism Behavioral Health. The screening had standing room only and was followed by a panel discussion featuring moderator and WeCAHR Executive Director Christina Calabro and community panelists.

The Light It Up Blue Ceremony was the final event of the day with over 100 attendees who took part in a sensory friendly ceremony that featured remarks by author and ASD advocate Alex Fischetti, on his life in the spectrum; Jessie Wong, clinical director of Autism Behavioral Health, who spoke on early diagnosis and intervention.

Mayor Mark Boughton honored Miozotis Galarza, founder and director of Padres Unidos of Greater Danbury (PUGD) and an ASD mom with a municipal proclamation. She also received a congressional recognition sent by Congresswoman Jahana Hayes presented to Galarza by State Senator Julie Kushner alongside State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan.

Guest of Honor Fernanda Pontes, a Brazilian journalist, TV host, philanthropist and founder of the "If You" Foundation, who came to the event to learn more about a community project for special needs children in Danbury, shared a motivational message: "When we work together, it leads to stronger and much more effective results - we are never alone when we are united by the same cause."

That community project GAFFA (Support Group for Families with Children with Autism and Other Special Needs), a musical assembly of children with special needs and their typical siblings, graced the ceremony with musical performances, followed by the "light it up" moment when the library was lit up blue by Spin Doctor Entertainment.

"Our third annual Light It up Blue ceremony was an example of inclusion, love and acceptance. Nothing makes me happier to know that many of those who were in attendance were children and adults in the spectrum and special needs, their loved ones and support teams – they are the reason we celebrate world autism awareness day, they are the reason why we will continue to fight for inclusion and support in our community," said Emanuela Palmares, event organizer, autism mom, and member of the Danbury Board of Education.

The event is traditionally held at City Hall, but was hosted at the Danbury Public Library with the intention to highlight a community campaign to raise funds for to furnish a new sensory room there. The room will be the first of its kind in a library in Connecticut. Donations can be made via: https://www.gofundme.com/help-us-furnish-danbur-library039-s-sensory-room

PHOTO CREDIT: Raul Sousa