Autism walk held in Westfield

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Hundreds of people filled Stanley Park in Westfield on Saturday; each one affected in some way by one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S.: autism.

Every 11 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism.

“It's sad and frustrating. You don't know what to expect and it's a challenge… it's different everyday,” said Greg Moss of Springfield.

“I think the hardest thing was just hearing the actual diagnosis and knowing that this is not going to go away. This is the rest of your life,” said Doreen Rex of Westfield.

Unfortunately, there's no medical detection or cure for autism.

But, for all those who came here to this walk, they're hoping to change that.

This "Walk Now for Autism Speaks" event brought in more than $87,000. It's money that will go towards research and awareness.

Many hope this will turn into an annual tradition, that will help educate our community about autism and those families touched by it.

“Sometimes you feel like you're the only one out there, and it's really not the case. So something like this shows that there are so many other parents out there, who are going through the same thing that we are,” said Rebecca Matthew of Westfield.

22News was a proud sponsor of the special autism awareness walk in Westfield and 22News Anchor Elysia Rodriguez emceed the event.