I Want Team Mason Please

This is Mason, who just recently learned how to SMILE for the camera!

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.

One of the first things I noticed about Jed was his dedication to serve in any capacity to help Autism awareness. On a Tuesday evening in August of 2006, our singles ward went to help clean a school that was being built for Autistic children. To be honest I was a little surprised Jed showed up to the activity. When the two of us were in an unfinished bathroom sweeping up dirt and sawdust Jed told me about his nephew Mason who has Autism. I could tell Mason meant a lot to Jed as he was talking about his little buddy. When Jed and I started dating he showed me the pictures of Mason that he always kept on his dresser. The first time I met Mason, he came up to me, stared me up and down with this look like "you do not belong in Grandma Peggy's basement" and then walked away and started jumping on the mini trampoline Peggy had set up for him. Jed's family loves Mason. He really is a very special boy. Mason's mother has done everything she can to help him succeed in life, she is such a good mother.

Yesterday, the Pollock clan headed down to UVU to participate in the 2nd annual Walk Now For Autism! It was a rainy, cloudy day and yet those who showed up enjoyed every minute of the event! We wore our matching shirts (of course they had to be BLUE- go cougars) for TEAM MASON.


The shirts say "I WANT TEAM MASON PLEASE" It was a great day!


Abbie (who is sporting her beautiful butterfly balloon hat) is one of Mason's favorite cousins. He gives Abbie hugs and she is very good at spending lots of time with Mason at all our family parties.

WE LOVE YOU MASON!