appreciation speech

Being a parent, you want what’s best for your children and that means advocating for them if they have no voice. There are many individuals who strive to raise awareness for autism. Holly Robinson Peete, actress, author, and philanthropist, understands the daily struggles raising a child who is autistic. So today let’s take a look at Holly Robinson Peete: first, by recognizing her contributions and achievements; secondly, by explaining what inspired her to help others and bring awareness to autism issues; finally, by examining how her determination to help others has made her one of the leading advocates for autism. USA Today, April 17, 2012 states, Holly Robinson Peete has become the autism poster parent. Along with her husband, Holly Robinson Peete started the non for profit organization “HollyRod”, which provides compassionate care for those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease. Huffington Post, October 22, 2010 reports, Holly Robinson Peete has also advocated for insurance companies to end discrimination against people with autism. Through her efforts, parents across the country have lobbied to get the laws changed, thus far winning the battle in 23 states. Holly Robinson Peete philanthropy efforts have earned her several awards including the Gerald Ford People Helping People award, Healthy Futures award, and a NAACP image award for her children’s book she co-wrote with her daughter highlighting the issues of autism. According to a Fox News profile, aired on May 3, 2011, Holly Robinson Peete did not know much about autism until her son RJ’s diagnosis at the age of 3. During this time autism was not a part of the national conversation. The struggles her family endured with RJ, urged her to find ways to support other parents who had a child with autism. She established the HollyRod4kids foundation, which provides access to affordable treatments and therapies to those living with autism. With her efforts to raise awareness, she was