- April 18, 2024
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Ormond Beach came together for the Walk Now for Autism Kick Off Party on Saturday.
Sheltered from the heat by the Coca Cola Pavilion in Destination Daytona, Joseph Davis races around the arena in speed so fast you barely notice the words on the back of his blue cape that ironically reads “Walk Now for Autism.”
Davis is the young face of Team Joseph, a group formed to support the child as he learns to live a happy and productive life with autism. When he was diagnosed in 2011, his mother, Kathleen Davis, was told he would not be able to talk or be in social situations. Through connections with organizations like Autism Speaks, the family was able to get Joseph Davis on the right path to being independent. He will be starting mainstream first grade next year.
To support the organization that helped their son, Team Joseph hosted a Kick Off Party for Autism Speaks’ annual fundraising event Walk Now for Autism. This year the Volusia County Walk will be joining forces with the Orlando Walk to create the Central Florida Walk Now for Autism Speaks. The joint effort will provide greater exposure for Autism and offer additional
resources, contacts and friends for anyone affected with autism.
Davis said the connection with Orlando is beneficial because many families have to travel over there to get support, like speech therapists, for their autistic children.
“I’ve managed to survive over here,” Kathleen Davis laughed, “but a lot of people have to make the drive. I hope by partnering with Orlando, it will help us get some more stuff over here.”
To find out more about future events, Walk Now for Autism Speaks, or to donate, please email Kathleen Davis at [email protected].
If You Go
A Thank You
Team Joseph and Autism Speaks would like to thank Bruce Rossmeyer’s Harley Davidson for donating the Coca Cola Pavilion, and Houligan’s Sports Grille and Dunkin Donuts for providing refreshments.
