On Saturday, April 30, golfers will take to the greens at the Florida Keys Country Club for the Light It Up Blue Autism Awareness Golf Tournament. With all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Autism Society of the Keys (ASK), the four-person scramble tournament will include breakfast and lunch, raffles including $1,000 in Keys restaurant gift cards, prizes and two chances to win $10,000 for a Hole in One.
Playing a round with friends is always a good time. But long after the clubs are put away, money raised by the tournament will go directly to places any donor can feel good about: Keys individuals and families affected by autism and in need of support or financial aid.
Jill Campbell is the founder and executive director of ASK. With a son of her own diagnosed with autism, she is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of the individuals and families who apply to the nonprofit for help – and she knows just how widely varied those needs may be.
“Our board votes on each application individually based on need,” said Campbell. “If it’s a 2-year-old, maybe the family needs help getting them diagnosed and there’s a deductible that’s not covered under their insurance. We just bought a bicycle for an adult who can’t drive, but can be employed and go to school and do activities otherwise. We’ve covered swimming lessons, car seats, anything.”
Rather than distributing funds to parents, ASK pays medical providers directly or purchases the items in need, ensuring that donations go exactly where they are intended. Just ask Yani Hernandez, a Marathon resident and proud mother of twin 5-year-old boys, David and Daniel, both diagnosed with autism in 2019. Though the twins received the same diagnosis, David’s case is significantly more severe, and until earlier this year he was almost entirely nonverbal.
“He used to get so frustrated because he couldn’t communicate what he wanted,” said Hernandez. “He would bang his head against the floor, the wall or whoever was standing in front of him.”
The Hernandez family’s lives changed after a donation from ASK provided David with an iPad outfitted with Proloquo, a communication application designed for those who cannot speak or need assistance being understood.
“It’s made such a difference, I can’t even tell you,” said Hernandez. “We just found out with his iPad that he knows how to read. He has his evaluation tomorrow to determine his grade level, and we’re going to be able to do it with his iPad because he will be able to communicate what he knows.”
Having an avenue to express his desires and basic needs, particularly in settings outside of his own home, has made David a “completely different child,” according to Yani.
“He’s gone from hitting everything and throwing things to saying, ‘I want my iPad’ or ‘I’m hungry’ or ‘I feel sad,’” she said. In the months since the donated tablet gave David the ability to express his wants, he has not had a single repeat of his prior behavioral outbursts.
His meteoric improvement has even carried over into the classroom. “Academically, in the last few months that he’s had his iPad, he went from a D student to an A and B student,” said Hernandez. “He’s going to be getting the honor roll when it rolls around, and I am just so proud.”
And though an expensive iPad was a generous donation to the Hernandez family, Yani’s gratitude to ASK extends beyond the fancy electronics.
“They were a godsend,” she said. “Because Jill has a child on the spectrum, she’s been where we are, so she understands me when I tell her about the issues we’re having. It’s unbelievable.”
“I really do hope that this inspires someone to reach out to ASK, because I know how hard it is to admit that your child has a problem and that you need help. They really do provide such support.”
Individuals or teams interested in filling the few remaining tournament spots later this month may contact Stan Haines at 305-434-2433. To support the tournament with a sponsorship, or for any further questions about ASK, contact Campbell at 305-942-5172 or visit www.autismsocietyofthekeys.com.
