Tom Herrion

Autism Light #381 is Tom Herrion.

Tom Herrion is the Assistant Coach of the men's basketball team at Georgia Tech. He was born on November 13, 1967. Tom Herrion is also an Autism Father. His 9 year old son Robert has autism. Tom Herrion is an Autism Light for his willingness to use his role as an autism father and an assistant coach of a Division I NCAA basketball program to spread autism awareness.

Basketball Career: Tom Herrion played basketball in college for Merrimack College from 1985-1986. Tom Herrion was hired by Georgia Tech Coach Brian Gregory to be his assistant coach on September 18, 2014. He has 147 career wins as a head coach at College of Charleston and Marshall University. Follow the future success of his team at the Georgia Tech Men's Basketball Page.

Coaches Powering Forward for Autism: Tom Herrion and Pat Skerry started the Coaches Powering Forward for Autism campaign in 2014. Both coach Herrion and Skerry have sons with autism. In 2014 they presented their fellow coaches across the NCAA with the request to wear the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece during televised games the first weekend of February. In its first year (2014), "More than 82 NCAA coaches and broadcasters took to the sidelines and airwaves throughout the weekend wearing the pin (Autism Speaks Press Release, January 15, 2015)."

Coaches Powering Forward for Autism partners with Autism Speaks and funds raised benefit the work of Autism Speaks. The campaign was in place in 2015 for the televised games on the weekend of February 6-8, 2015. The Coaches Powering Forward for Autism fundraising page lists the coaching leaders in this autism awareness campaign in 2015. The top 3 coaches in 2015 in fundraising for autism as of March 23, 2015 are:

1. Coach Jim Fox, Appalachian State University
2. Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University
3. Coach Mike Brey, Notre Dame University

Both Duke and Notre Dame have teams that are experiencing success on the court in the 2015 NCAA Final Four Tournament as well.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said, "There's so many good things that have happened for these youngsters, and so to help in some way is an easy thing to do. And Tom's a great guy, and so we'll participate in that, definitely, and feel proud and honored to do it  (Atlanta Constitution, February 5, 2015).

Liz Feld, president of Autism Speaks said, "Pat (Skerry) and Tom (Herrion) are advocates in every sense of the word. Last year's campaign was a true grassroots effort, and it continues to grow under the Coaches Powering Forward for Autism banner with far more coaches and broadcasters engaged. In addition, Pat and Tom have become great ambassadors for Autism Speaks attending events across the country that demonstrate the importance of participation and volunteerism (Autism Speaks Press Release, January 15, 2015)."

Here is a video of Tom Herrion giving a speech at an Autism Speaks event.

Other Information: You can read more about Tom Herrion and his work with autism in these online news stories:

• Georgia Tech Assistant Coach Driving Autism Awareness (Atlanta Constitution, February 5, 2015)
• GT Assistant Coach Tom Herrion's Belief Helped Create this Weekend's Coaches Powering Forward for Autism (Georgia Tech Sports, February 6, 2015)
• Coach with Son on the Spectrum Raising Autism Awareness (Autism Speaks, February 6, 2015)

Wikipedia: The Wikipedia Page for Tom Herrion has more information on his life and coaching career statistics.

Social Media: You can follow Tom Herrion on Twitter at @CoachTomHerrion.

Special thanks to Tom Herrion for spreading autism awareness. His leadership in Coaches Powering Forward for Autism has indeed had an impact around the United States. We wish Tom Herrion all the best in the future as an autism father, coach, and autism advocate.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Pat Skerry

Autism Light #380 is Pat Skerry.

Pat Skerry is the head coach of the men's basketball team at Towson University in Maryland. He was born on January 21, 1970. Pat Skerry is also an Autism Father. His 5 year old son Owen has autism. Pat Skerry is an Autism Light for his willingness to use his role as an autism father and coach of a Division I NCAA basketball program to spread autism awareness.

Basketball Career: Pat Skerry played college basketball at Tufts University from 1988-1992 and set the career record for assists (634) and the season record (198) at Tufts. Pat Skerry has served as the coach of Towson University Tigers' men's basketball team since the 2011-2012 season. He has 80 career wins as a head coach, including two years coaching at Curry College. Follow the future success of his team at the Towson Athletic Website.

Coaches Powering Forward for Autism: Pat Skerry and Tom Herrion started the Coaches Powering Forward for Autism campaign in 2014. Both coach Skerry and Herrion have sons with autism. In 2014 they presented their fellow coaches across the NCAA with the request to wear the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece during televised games the first weekend of February. In its first year (2014), "More than 82 NCAA coaches and broadcasters took to the sidelines and airwaves throughout the weekend wearing the pin (Autism Speaks Press Release, January 15, 2015)."

Coaches Powering Forward for Autism partners with Autism Speaks and funds raised benefit the work of Autism Speaks. The campaign was in place in 2015 for the televised games on the weekend of February 6-8, 2015. The Coaches Powering Forward for Autism fundraising page lists the coaching leaders in this autism awareness campaign in 2015. The top 3 coaches in 2015 in fundraising for autism as of March 22, 2015 are:

1. Coach Jim Fox, Appalachian State University
2. Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University
3. Coach Mike Brey, Notre Dame University

Both Duke and Notre Dame have teams that are experiencing success on the court in the 2015 NCAA Final Four Tournament as well.

Liz Feld, president of Autism Speaks said, "Pat (Skerry) and Tom (Herrion) are advocates in every sense of the word. Last year's campaign was a true grassroots effort, and it continues to grow under the Coaches Powering Forward for Autism banner with far more coaches and broadcasters engaged. In addition, Pat and Tom have become great ambassadors for Autism Speaks attending events across the country that demonstrate the importance of participation and volunteerism (Autism Speaks Press Release, January 15, 2015)."

The following is a news story on Pat Skerry's work with autism awareness at Towson University.

Other Information: You can read more about Pat Skerry and his work with autism in these online news stories:

• NCAA Basketball Coaches and Fans Team Up for Autism, January 15, 2015
• Towson University Coach Puts Spotlight on Autism, WBALTV.com, February 3, 2015
• Coach Shares Why He Wants to Spread Autism Awareness, February 4, 2015
• Towson Coach Pat Skerry Speaks About Autism, Baltimore Sun, February 6, 2015 (Video)

Wikipedia: The Wikipedia Page for Pat Skerry has more information on his life and coaching career statistics.

Social Media: You can follow Pat Skerry on Twitter at @CoachPatSkerry.

Hats off to #JMUDukes on a thrilling win and many thanks to all who came out to support #AutismAwareness @Towson_MBB
— Pat Skerry (@CoachPatSkerry) February 7, 2015

Special thanks to Pat Skerry for spreading autism awareness. His leadership in Coaches Powering Forward for Autism has indeed had an impact around the United States. We wish Pat Skerry all the best in the future as an autism father, coach, and autism advocate.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Stan Lee

In Memoriam
Updated on November 12, 2018

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Stan Lee (Autism Light #379) passed away on November 12, 2018, at the age of 95.  The New York Times published Stan Lee's Obituary. Stan Lee's name will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.

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Autism Light #379 is Stan Lee.

Stan Lee

Stan Lee lives in Hollywood, California and is an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, actor, and former president of Marvel Comics. Stan Lee co-created many of the famous comic book characters such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and the X-Men. He was born on December 28, 1922. Stan Lee is an Autism Light because he drew Spider-Man for a birthday present for an 8 year old fan with autism named Jamel Hunter.

In November, 2014, a disabled mother named Phyllis Atwood put on a special birthday party for her 8 year old son Jamel Hunter in East Harlem, New York. Jamel loves Spider-Man so his mother gave him a Spider-Man themed party (New York Times, December 24, 2014).

Jazz musician Corky Hale, who is a neighbor of Stan Lee, heard about the love Jamel Hunter has for Spider-Man. She asked Lee to do a drawing of Spider-Man for Jamel.  Lee agreed and the sketch was signed and sent to New York Times writer Michael Wilson to personally deliver to Jamel Hunter. The account of that heartwarming gift being presented was featured in an article Michael Wilson wrote on February 20, 2015 in the New York Times.

Stan Lee told the New York Times that he wrote the Spider-Man comics, but did not draw the characters. "This was a unique experience. I'm not known as an artist, which is lucky for the world (CBS News, February 24, 2015)."

Here is a Wochit news video on Stan Lee drawing spider man for Jamel Hunter.



Wikipedia: The Wikipedia Page for Stan Lee has more information on his life.

Social Media: You can follow Stan Lee (AKA The Real Stan Lee) on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page for Stan Lee
• Twitter @TheRealStanLee

Special thanks to Stan Lee for the personal attention he gave to make a special present for a boy with autism. This act of kindness is an example to others of how it is possible to make dreams come true for people with autism when one truly cares. 

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 

Photo: The photo of Stan Lee is from the Wikipedia Commons and was taken by Edward Liu.

Joey Travolta

Autism Light #378 is Joey Travolta.

Joey Travolta is a 64 year old actor, singer, producer, director and screenwriter from California. He was born on October 14, 1950, in Englewood, New Jersey.  Joey Travolta is the founder of Inclusion Films and he has conducted camps for 15 years to give children with autism opportunities to create films. Joey Travolta is an Autism Light for spreading autism awareness and providing camps where people with autism can cultivate their talents in the film industry.

Education: Joey Travolta graduated with a degree in special education from what is now William Paterson University in New Jersey.  Joey Travolta has worked as a special education teacher in New Jersey.

Inclusion Films: Joey Travolta is the Founder and Creative Director for Inclusion Films. Inclusion Films currently has locations in Burbank, Bakersfield, Livermore, and Sacramento, California as their workshops "seek to promote the creative skills and strong work ethic of film makers with developmental disabilities, ultimately allowing them to become more independent, self confident, and well-rounded individuals (Inclusion Films Website)." The following is a video of Joey Travolta explaining the employment opportunities that have come from alumni of Inclusion Films short film camps.

Inclusion Films camps have recently been held at locations in St. Mary's College in California, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and at Oakland University in Michigan. The following is a video of the project at Oakland University that partners with The Futures Foundation.

Family: Joey Travolta is married to Wendy Shawn and they have a daughter named Rachel. Joey Travolta is also an autism uncle. His younger brother John Travolta had a son named Jett who according to his mother Kelly Preston had autism (Huffington Post, November 20, 2012). Jett Travolta passed away in 2009 and the public revelation of his autism was announced posthumously.

Actor/Producer: To read about the dozens of film credits that Joey Travolta has been involved in over the years visit the Joey Travolta IMDb page.

Other Resources: 

• Autism Live Interview: Joey Travolta Interview done by Autism Live.
• Wikipedia: Joey Travolta Wikipedia page.

Social Media: If you want to follow Joey Travolta's work at Inclusion Films visit the following social media pages.

• Facebook Page for Inclusion Films
• Twitter @Inclusion_Films (Tweets are Protected)
• Twitter @InclusionFilms (Inclusion Films Bakersfield)
• YouTube Channel for Inclusion Films

Special thanks to Joey Travolta for the work he has done to give individuals with autism an opportunity to develop in the film and production world. Joey Travolta's work is benefiting both the individuals with autism and the short film industry. The autism community is blessed to have Joey Travolta and Inclusion Films in their corner.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.