We started The Doug Flutie Jr. foundation for Autism 10 years ago in honor of our son Dougie, who has Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), a low functioning form of autism. Our goal is to help financially disadvantaged families care for their children with autism, as well as fund research and raise awareness, but we also want people to know that they are not alone, this has happened to us too and we are here for them. The foundation is so important to us because we feel that this is Dougie’s calling and the foundation will be his legacy, he was put here to help others deal with autism, which has helped us (as a family) deal, understand and make peace with Dougie’s autism.
Dougie is now 16 years old; he is about 5ft 5in tall and growing like a weed. He was diagnosed with CDD when he was 3. He is non-verbal and requires one on one attention, but he has made tremendous progress over the years and we are so proud of all of his accomplishments.
Dougie goes to school full time (5 days a week all year round). He works hard at school and has a lot of therapy, but he loves all the attention. He also has home based tutoring 3 days a week (after school) and on Saturday afternoons (which he also loves). He loves to go to his horseback riding therapy every week at Ironstone Farm and during the summer he attends water sports camp at Access Sport America where he enjoys windsurfing as well as other water sports. He also just enjoys hanging out with family, whether it's swimming with his big sister Alexa, playing with his 3 dogs, playing ball with dad or just lounging and watching a movie with mom. Dougie loves life and is the happiest person I know, he always has a smile on his face and because he is happy, it makes all of us happy!!
We will continue to do all that we can to help Dougie’s foundation give to others afflicted with autism. Dougie is our inspiration and truly a blessing to our whole family, but the foundation has given back to us as well. It has given us the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful, caring and giving people. We wouldn't be able to help Dougie help others without your generous support, so we want to say THANK YOU for all that you do for us!!!
Thanks again for all of your support! Laurie Flutie
