Michala Riggle

Autism Light #345 is Michala Riggle. 

Michala Riggle is a 17 year old from Louisville, Kentucky. Her younger brother Evan has autism. After seeing Evan benefit from receiving IV infusions of an amino acid called Glutathione at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, she started Beading to Beat Autism in order to raise funds for a study including 50 other children with autism. Michala Riggle is an Autism Light because of her amazing ability to raise money for autism research in honor of her brother Evan.

Michala and her borther Evan

National Media: The following are video clips from when Michala appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres show and Good Morning America in 2011 to share about her autism fundraising.



Fundraising Initiatives:  Michala Riggle created Beading to Beat Autism in order to raise funds for autism research at Kosair Children's Hospital in Lousiville, Kentucky. Michala started fundraising in 2007 at age 10 and in 5 years she raised over half a million dollars for autism research, more than doubling her goal of $200,000 (WDRB.com, August 13, 2012).

Michala Riggle Beat Autism Foundation: Michala has created a private 501c3 foundation called The Michala Riggle Beat Autism Foundation, Inc. According to her Facebook page her goal is to "build the most comprehensive, autism research and treatment center in the world and eradicate autism forever (Facebook Page of Beading to Beat Autism)!"

The following is the fundraising video that Michala Riggle has on her website in her current project called CAMPAIGN 7 that has a goal to raise $300 million in funds to build an autism research and treatment center in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.



Motto: Michala's response when people doubt that she can raise the amount of money she has for her goal is, "If you go into a game thinking you're gonna lose, it's game over-you've lost-YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!!! (Michala Riggle as quoted on Beading to Beat Autism Website)."

Awards/Honors: Michala has received the following awards and honors according to the Facebook Page of Beading to Beat Autism.  These are just a few that have been received.

1. "Kentuckian of the Year" by Kentucky Monthly Magazine (2008)
2. Build-A-Bear Huggable Hero (2008)
3. Kohl's Kid Who Cares Regional Winner
4. Youth in Philanthropy Award by Kosair Children's Hospital Foundation
5. Chosen as a child hero in The My Hero Project (Young Heroes) (2011)

Social Media: You can follow Michala Riggle's efforts on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page of Beading to Beat Autism
• Twitter @Bead2BeatAutism
• Twitter @MichalaRiggle
• YouTube Channel for Beading to Beat Autism

Make a Donation: Visit Michala's website at www.beadingtobeatautism.org for information on how to donate to her foundation.

Special thanks to Michala Riggle for the tremendous amount of fundraising she has done through Beading to Beat Autism. She is commended for having the courage and the tenacity to undertake a big goal to create a center for autism research in Louisville. We are believing with Michala that she will reach her goal. Autism Light looks forward to hearing exciting news of Michala's accomplishments in the years ahead.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photos: The photos in this post are used with permission of Emlyn Riggle.

Kentucky Lights

The State of Kentucky is the home state of 4 Autism Lights. Kentucky Autism Lights include two individuals with autism and two autism siblings.

 Kentucky Autism Lights

Individuals with Autism:

1. Trent Altman has autism and is an artist who lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
2. Conner Musk has autism and is from Erlanger, Kentucky. He saved the life of another child in July, 2011.

Siblings:

1. Michala Riggle is a fundraiser from Louisville, Kentucky. Her brother Evan has autism.
2. Chelsea Stepp is a singer and songwriter from Warfield, Kentucky. Her brother Cammi has autism. 

You may reach all these posts by searching the blog through the "Kentucky" Label.

---

The map of Kentucky is from the Wikipedia Commons.

Naoki Higashida

Autism Light #344 is Naoki Higashida.

Naoki Higashida is a 21 year old from Japan who has autism. Naoki was born in 1992. When he was just 13 years old he wrote the book The Reason I Jump. Although nonverbal, Naoki was able to author the book by spelling out words on a Japanese alphabet letter board.  Naoki Higashida is an Autism Light for the way in which his writing has had a positive impact on the autism community.

Autism Light first learned about Naoki Higashida two years ago when researching Larry Bissonette and Tracy Thresher, who are Autism Lights #217. Larry and Tracy refer to Naoki as a fellow traveler and his bio appears on their Wretches and Jabberers blog. Naoki was also shown in the Wretches and Jabberers movie, when Larry and Tracy visited Japan.

The Reason I Jump:  Naoki Higashida wrote The Reason I Jump as a memoir that answers questions about why he does certain things as an individual with autism. It was published in Japan in 2007. David Mitchell and his Japanese wife KA Yoshida translated the work into English in 2013.

Naoki Higashida gives this as the reason he wrote his book. "We are misunderstood, and we'd give anything if only we could be understood properly... I hope that, by reading this book, you might become a better friend of someone with autism (Naoki Higashida as Quoted by William Mandy in SFARI, 11/15/2013)."

You can purchase The Reason I Jump from Amazon.com.

Wikipedia: You can learn more about Naoki at the Naoki Higashida Wikipedia Page. There is also a Wikipedia Page for The Reason I Jump book. 
Special thanks to Naoki Higashida for sharing his thoughts in The Reason I Jump. His book has opened a window into the feelings of a person with autism that benefit the autism community. We look forward to hearing many exciting things about life with autism from Naoki in the years ahead.
If you are interested in other posts on Autism in Japan search with the Autism Light blog label for Japan.   Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

William Bolman

Autism Light #343 is Dr. William Bolman.

Dr. William "Bill" Bolman was a long time psychiatrist from Hawaii with a special expertise in the field of autism. He was an autism advocate and the co-founder of the Autism Society of Hawaii. Dr. William Bolman passed away on April 18, 2014, leaving a legacy of service to autism. He is survived by his wife Victoria Asayama and daughters Dr. Susan Garrison Bolman and Elizabeth Stinette Bolman. A celebration of life for Dr. William Bolman will be held on May 31, 2014, at the Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Dr. William Bolman will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today. It is fitting that Dr. William Bolman be added to Autism Light on this first Memorial Day after his recent passing, because he served in the United States Army. During his service he was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.

Dr. Ryan Lee, a board member of the Autism Society of Hawaii wrote this announcement about the passing of Dr. Bohlman.

It is with sadness that we share with you the passing away of Dr. William Bolman on April 18^th, 2014. Bill was gentle and compassionate with a great sense of humor.  He served children and families with autism, and other mental health disorders for over forty years. He touched many of your lives in a positive way. He was the ASH president since 2009, and is one of the founding members. 

In the 1970’s, physicians specializing in autism spectrum disorders were scarce in Hawaii. He humbly accepted his role as the local leader in the field. He had a unique passion for advancing health care opportunities, mentoring and education, and exploring novel research avenues, in hope of bettering the lives of children. He was well respected by colleagues from Boston to Hawaii, and served as a consultant to the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Mental Health. He updated himself, almost on a daily basis, in the latest findings in autism research. Bill was a scholar and a strong advocate, especially for those unable to communicate their needs effectively (Dr. Ryan Lee as Quoted on Autism Society of Hawaii Website). 

Education: Dr. William Bolman graduated from Harvard College in 1951 and Harvard Medical School in 1955. He completed his residency at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston and Boston City Hospital.

Experience:  According to his obituary, Dr. Bolman "served as a consultant to the World Health Organization and National Institute of Mental Health as well as state health departments and organizations. He also was a teaching fellow at Tufts University and Boston University and served as a professor at the University of Wisconsin and University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 4/30/2014)."

Obituary: You may read more information about Dr. Bolman's life in his obituary in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Autism Society of Hawaii.

Special thanks to Dr. William Bolman for making a difference for those with autism in Hawaii.  He is being remembered for a giving spirit, and people with autism were often the recepient of his kindness and wisdom. May Dr. William Bolman's legacy inspire others to become psychiatrists in order to help provide needed therapy for the growing number of those with autism in the years to come.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.