HUMANE CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

The Alexis Foundation

Alexis is nine years old. She wakes up everyday with a smile on her face. But she also wakes up to face more challenges than most people. When Alexis was 11 months old, a neurologist diagnosed her with autism.

That doctor informed Alexis’s mother, Erica Kosares, that an institution might be a better place for Alexis. But like many children with autism and related disabilities, Alexis defied all the odds. She has overcome many obstacles and surpassed many expert expectations. She can now walk and communicate. “She has accomplished more in her first nine years than most people will ever accomplish,” Kosares said.

In 2005, Kosares founded The Alexis Foundation to help other families with similar challenges. The Alexis Foundation provides information on autism, Angelman Syndrome, Aspergers Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, and other related disabilities. The foundation offers parents resources about legislation, programs, therapies, and diet.

The Alexis Foundation has also developed a new program to help families with autism face special challenges presented in emergency situations. Project Safety Net is engaged when an emergency 911 call is placed from the home of an autistic family. The 911 dispatcher is automatically informed that there is someone at the residence with autism or a related disability, and that is immediately forwarded to first responders. First responders will then have a better understanding of the needs of the individual they are going to help. This system can also help locate missing autistic children: It makes automatic calls to residences and businesses in the area asking them to be on the lookout for a missing child and to call 911 if they see him or her.

For more information, visit www.AlexisFoundation.org

Each month the Council on Humane Giving profiles a health charity that displays the Humane Charity Seal of Approval on its Web site or literature. Please consider showing your support by writing a letter of thanks or giving a donation, and be sure to tell your friends, family, and coworkers about this outstanding health charity.

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