Shining a light on autism

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tabitha Lee
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF Mildenhall's Airman and Family Readiness Center lit up its building with blue lights April 2, 2013, to shine support on World Autism Awareness Day for the Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue campaign.

One in 88 children have some form of autism, according to the Center for Disease Control.

"At RAF Mildenhall, we currently have 318 families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, many of which have members with autism," said Elisabeth Leath, 100th Force Support Squadron Exceptional Family Member Program family support specialist.

Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue is a campaign to raise autism awareness and educate people about autism disorders. On April 2, all over the world, thousands of people came together to "Light It Up Blue."

Although building 442, in which the A&FRC is housed, didn't have the same intricate blue lights which illuminated the top of the Empire State Building, they found other ways to "Light It Up Blue."
To show their support for children and parents affected by autism, Leath said they had to get pretty creative.

By modifying flashlights and spotlights with cellophane, and using holiday lights to make puzzle pieces - the symbol for the Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue campaign - the windows of the A&FRC shone blue to bring autism awareness to all of Team Mildenhall.

This is the first year RAF Mildenhall has participated in the campaign and Leath is eager to keep it going.

"Hopefully, it will be bigger and better every year," she said.

April is Autism Awareness Month and the A&FRC has coordinated several information tables across base. Look for them at the base post office April 9, the Exchange at RAF Mildenhall April 16 and the Bob Hope Community Center April 23.

For more information, contact the A&FRC at DSN 238-3406 or commercial 01638-543406.