By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson – Tina Marie D’Asti has worked as administrator at the Hudson Fire Department for 18 years. During the past five of those years she has also advocated for Autism Resource Central (ARC) in West Boylston, a 501(c) (3) charity that helps families throughout central Massachusetts. Now, she’s fundraising as team captain of Anthony’s Angels for the 2017 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance, scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m., at Quinsigamond State Park in Worcester. The team is named after her son Anthony, age 8.
D’Asti described him on the team’s online fundraising page: “Anthony is a bright, funny, caring and compassionate little man that, due to his autism, needs a little extra help on his journey. This help, by way of services, support and a sense of community, is provided in part by ARC.”
According to its Facebook page, “The mission of ARC is to support families with children with autism spectrum disorders, to empower families to raise their children to be full members of their communities and become responsively independent and effectively interdependent, so that they are valued as gifted people and protected from harm.” Horace Mann Educational Associates is its parent agency.
D’Asti serves as secretary for ARC’s Family Advisory Board and is volunteer coordinator for the 5K. She and her husband Stephen learned about ARC when Anthony was age 3.
“We adopted Anthony when he was 14 months, knowing that we were adopting a special needs child,” D’Asti said. “We got the official diagnosis right before his third birthday.”
For a few months following the diagnosis, D’Asti stayed awake nights researching autism on the web. Then she followed advice to have Anthony evaluated for Department of Developmental Services (DDS) eligibility.
“I encourage anyone with a special needs child to apply for DDS eligibility for services like ARC,” she shared. “ARC offers parents support from the moment they make that first phone call or walk in the door. When parents are scared and confused, they take you in and guide you. They support the whole family, not just the child.”
Now, the D’Asti family members are attending ARC activities and support groups. Last summer, Anthony spent five days and four nights at Camp Havvago, a “try it” getaway specifically for campers on the autism spectrum. Located in Rindge, N.H., and operated in conjunction with ARC, the camp features a one-to-one counselor-to-camper ratio. D’Asti appreciates the attention that was given to Anthony.
“It’s hard for any parent to drop off their child for an overnight camp; add the special needs element and there’s a thousand other fears that could go through our minds,” she said. “To know that there’s somebody there dedicated to your child is reassuring.”
At camp, Anthony enjoyed boating, cabin life, campfires, crafts, nature exploration and swimming. Meanwhile, it was an opportunity for him to build social skills, D’Asti noted.
“The cutest thing is that Anthony still talks about his cabin mates,” she relayed. “Every once in a while he mentions them by name.”
Anthony is currently taking swimming lessons as he looks forward to returning to camp this summer.
This marks the fourth year for Anthony’s Angels to participate in the 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance. D’Asti feels that the fundraiser is aptly named.
“Everybody wants to be accepted,” she said. “Whether they can express it or not, our kids want friends, and they want to feel loved and accepted.”
Among the first donors to Anthony’s Angels was Hudson Firefighters Local 1713.
“It’s wonderful that Hudson firefighters have supported Anthony’s Angels every year,” D’Asti added.
Supporters can donate, join Anthony’s Angels in the 5K, or both. For registration information, visit www.autismresourcecentral.org/fundraising; click “5K Run & Walk.” To register offline or obtain sponsorship information, contact Wanja at 508-298-1607 or [email protected]. To donate to Anthony’s Angels, visit www.goo.gl/AbV7Z7.