Mt. Everest 2005: Everest for Autism cancelled

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Loveland resident Matt Brennan has cancelled plans to climb Mt. Everest in March, 2005. Brennan is the founder of the Cincinnati Center for Autism and the father of a child with autism. He was planning on climbing Everest this spring with lifelong friend Andy Politz, a veteran Everest climber, to raise money for the Center and to increase awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Citing personal reasons, Brennan commented, “My family has a lot going on right now and I do not believe that leaving them for three months is beneficial to their well being. My son is close to a breakthrough with his therapy and my wife needs my support now more than ever. I have been gone for the past three years climbing mountains. I need to be home to support my wife who deals with ASD everyday. This was a difficult decision to make (canceling the trip) but my commitment to my family is more important than the summit of Mt. Everest and I have received tremendous support from my family, friends and sponsors for making the right choice”. 

Brennan did not rule out a trip to Everest in the near future. “I have a close friend in Andy Politz and I hope to one day climb Everest with him”. Brennan indicated that all donations received by the Cincinnati Center for Autism for the climb will be returned by March 1.

Previous Update

Matt Brennan and Andy Politz will attempt Everest in Spring 2005. Andy Politz, a veteran of seven Everest expeditions, is joining his friend Matt Brennan, father of a child with autism. Matt and Andy, who have known one another since childhood growing up in Columbus Ohio, will form the core of team. This climb will not be a search for Mallory and Irvine, but something much more important! Today we ask you to read the below...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest growing mental disorder in the world, with growth of more than 800 percent in the last 15 years. Today, more than 1.5 million people are afflicted with the disorder. In the next decade, an estimated 4.5 million people will be diagnosed with ASD.

ASD is a complex developmental disability that typically appears within the first three years of life. A result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism affects the normal development of the brain in the areas of communication and social interaction. Children and adults with autism usually have difficulties in the areas of social interaction; verbal and non-verbal communication; and leisure and play activities. No single cause is responsible for its onset, and no single behavior characterizing autism exists. Currently, there is no cure.

Autism is one of five Pervasive Development Disorders, a category of neurological disorders categorized by the severe and pervasive impairment of several areas of development including social interaction and communication skills. Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 2-6 out of 1,000 individuals. The overall incident of autism is consistent around the globe, but autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism knows no racial or ethnic boundaries, nor do education levels or socioeconomic factors affect the chance of autism’s occurrence.

While there is no cure for autism, there are treatment and education approaches that may reduce some of the challenges associated with the disability. Intervention may help lessen disruptive behaviors, and education can teach self-help skills that allow greater independence. But just as one there is no one symptom or behavior that identifies autistic children, there is also no single treatment. Currently, mental health experts endorse no single treatment; for this reason, very little funding is available to families fighting autism, leaving most treatments privately funded. Consequently, under-funded families must wait for school-based treatment programs or conduct home-based programs staffed by family members.

Cincinnati Center for Autism
click here to visit the web site of Cincinnati Center for Autism

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