Vickie Nettles is an autism mother from Lafayette, Louisiana. Her daughter Catherine has autism and following her diagnosis Vickie Nettles began intensive research into the condition, becoming a relentless autism advocate. She had been serving as an administrative assistant with the Autism Society of Acadiana. Vickie Nettles passed away unexpectedly on August 6, 2014, from complications of surgery. Vicki leaves a legacy of service to the autism community. She is survived by her husband Charlie Nettles; her step-daughter, Nichole Robicheaux; her son, Richard Charles Nettles and daughters, Laura Elizabeth Nettles and Catherine Marie Nettles. Her funeral service was held on August 9, 2014 in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille. Vickie Nettles will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.
Tributes: The obituary for Vickie Nettles has this word about her:
Vickie Nettles dedicated her career and much of her free time to the Autism Society of Acadiana. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother and friend to all who knew her and will be dearly missed (Legacy.com, Vickie Nettles).
Robyn Blackwell, Board President of the Autism Society of Acadiana and mother of an autistic son, describing the impact of Vickie Nettles, said, "She taught all of us so much about advocating for your child, and advocating for your rights as a parent. She cried with us, laughed with us, celebrated with us (As quoted in KATC.Com News, Tonya LaCoste, August 6, 2014)."
We are grateful to Vickie Nettles for her contributions to the cause of autism. Our thoughts are with the family of Vickie Nettles, especially her daughter Catherine who has autism. It is hoped that the example that Vickie Nettles has left the world of shining her light for autism will spread to others in Lousiana and throughout the world as they read this.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Geri Landry is an Autism Aunt from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Geri Landry's nephew Joseph Sullivan has autism. Geri Landry is an Autism Light because her work as the President and Founder of Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana has helped many autism families. Her vision for the expansion of autism services also led her to create Creole House, the first and only group home in Louisiana that serves specifically adults with autism.
Autism Aunt: Geri Landry's nephew Joseph Sullivan has autism and is now in his 50's. Joseph Sullivan was the autistic man who Dustin Hoffman studied for the movie Rain Man. Her dedication as an autism aunt has provided passion for her to make a difference in autism services in Louisiana.
Autism Services of Southwest Lousiana: Geri Landry is the Founder and President of Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana. The autism organization started in 2003 and their first group home opened in 2009. According to their website, "Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana provides housing and support to adult individuals with autism. Creole and Louies Houses are the beginning of much to come for ASSL. Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana works in cooperation with Direct Care, Inc. to provide Personal Care Attendants twenty four hours daily to the adults living in its homes (Autism Services of Southwest Lousiana Website)."
Geri Landry shared this about a conversation she had with an autism parent, "I had a parent say yesterday to me that no one understands unless they've lived it, what it's like to have a child with autism. And to see them so happy, and happy in that they'll maybe never tell me that they're happy. They don't have to say anything, you can see it. It's such an awesome feeling to see it (FOX 29, House Teaches Autistic Adults Independence, Valen Johnson, 11/18/2013, Video no longer online)."
Special thanks to Geri Landry for using her passion for autism and leadership skills to provide resources for the autism community in Southwest Louisiana. Her foresight to open Creole House for adult living needs is a blessing to many. Geri Landry is a wonderful example of the countless aunts who honor their nephew and neice's with autism by shining a light for autism.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
The State of Louisiana is the home state of 4 Autism Lights. They include parents, and aunt, and a country music singer who wrote an autism awareness song.
Louisiana Autism Lights
Will and Lisa Clark are autism parents from Louisiana. Will is a retired major league baseball player. Their son Trey has autism.
Geri Landry is an autism aunt from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Her nephew Joseph Sullivan has autism. She founded Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana.
Mark Leland is a country music singer who wrote the autism song called "Missing Pieces". He is from West Monroe, Louisiana.
Vickie Nettles (1963-2014) is an autism mother from Lafayette, Louisiana who passed away in August of 2014.
Will and Lisa Clark are from Louisiana. They have a son named Trey who has autism. Will Clark was a professional baseball player and is currently working in the SanFranciso Giants organization. Will and Lisa Clark are Autism Lights because of how they have worked to raise awareness and funds to help the cause of autism.
Parents: Will and Lisa Clark's autistic son Trey is their top priority. Will Clark said this about his son:
Being a baseball player, I had to wait for certain pitches, and I had to be a patient hitter. Having a special needs child, you have to be even more patient. Patience is something that my wife and I were definitely taught because of this experience (Source).
Baseball Career: Will Clark played 15 seasons (1986-2000) in Major League Baseball and was a six time all-star. He started his career with the SanFrancisco Giants and concluded it with the St. Louis Cardinals. Clark's nickname was "The Thrill". His complete major league career statistics are at Baseball-Reference.com. Will Clark was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. One of Clark's many on field achievements include hitting a home run against the great Nolan Ryan in his first major league at bat. Here is a video that is a tribute to Will Clark's playing career.
Current Position: In 2009, Will Clark was hired to work as a Special Assistant in the front office of the SanFranciso Giants and since then he has been a part of their annual Autism Awareness Night. The press release on Will Clark's return to the SanFranciso Giants organization is available at this link. In 2010, Will Clark was part of the front office team that helped lead the SanFranciso Giants to capture the World Series Championship.
Social Media: You can follow Will Clark on the following social media.
Special thanks to Will and Lisa Clark for being dedicated to your son Trey and using your opportunities from success in the world of major league baseball to help raise awareness for autism.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Photo: The photo in this post is from the Wikipedia Commons and is attributed to John Bonzo.
Mark Leland is from West Monroe, Louisiana. Mark Leland is a country singer who has been very supportive of autism. His music often tell stories and some are about autism.
Missing Pieces: Mark Leland wrote the song, "Missing Pieces" about his manger's son who was diagnosed with autism. An excellent biography and glimpse into his song on autism is provided by ArkansasAutism.org. This is one of the top songs about autism and has shared this at numerous fundraising events for autism. Listen to this wonderful song on YouTube here. If you like the "Missing Pieces" song you can purchase it at CDBaby.com.
Thank God for Grace: Mark Leland also sings another song about autism called, "Thank God for Grace," which is about a girl who has autism and mitochondrial disease. You can listen to this song here.
Mark Leland is an Autism Light because he is an advocate for autism through his gift of music. Autism needs music. Mark Leland provides some excellent songs for the cause which also help organizations raise needed funds for autism programs. To listen to other songs by Mark Leland visit his YouTube Channel.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
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