Ron West knows firsthand the impact that Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) has on the lives of individuals with autism. His first interactions with the organization were in 2016, when he attended an ABA 101 workshop with his son’s caregivers.
Ron had moved to Arizona in 2013 with his son, who is now 16, and after his first interaction with SARRC, he continued to be involved with the organization. He’s attended multiple educational workshops, which helped him better plan for their futures.
Currently, his son participates in SARRC’s CommunityWorks program, and they are also participating in a pharmaceutical trial to treat fragile X syndrome.
Recently, Ron also joined the Legacy Circle.
“The Autism community is growing and will need more support as the years go on,” he says. “I want to give back to a community that has given so much to my family and do as much as I can to ensure the support of future generations.”
It was his own experiences that led to the decision.
“It is hard to tell what the future will hold for the autism community. But I know, based on personal experience, I can trust SARRC to put my contribution to the best use possible for whatever lies ahead,” he explains.
Ron, a media consultant with Cox Media, spends his time training for the Special Olympics with his son, who has already won gold medals in basketball and bowling. He also volunteers at Raising Special Kids Arizona as a point of contact for parents with newly diagnosed children.
“I believe that research is the most important work done at SARRC. As more children are diagnosed with autism, the more we learn the better we will be prepared as a community to assist families in reaching their full potential,” he says.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Legacy Circle member and ensuring the continued vitality and growth of SARRC’s services from one generation to the next, please contact Beth Salazar at [email protected] or 602-340-8717, ext. 1039.
