Can you imagine hearing the words "your child has autism"? In a split second, life - as you know it - has changed. For a different family every 15 minutes, tomorrow will never be the same.

.Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is John Shive. Many people knew me as a Police Officer in the Pine Beach Police Dept. After spending the past 22 years working in law enforcement, my career came to an end after being struck by a drunk driver while walking back to my patrol vehicle on the highway one night. During the time of my accident my wife and I had a 2 month child. His name is Collin. Around the same time I took an early retirement, Collin was diagnosed with Autism.

 

 He is now 9 and  non-verbal with an eating disorder where he only eats strained baby food. He cannot eat cookies or any of the good foods that other children enjoy. He is unable to drink from a cup or a straw, so he uses a sippy cup It is hard for him to tell anyone if something is hurting him, because he communicates with limited hand-signs. He doesn’t know how to jump up and down or ride a tricycle like the other children his age. There are many things he can’t do, but he always has a smile and is full of hugs. He is just one of the many children with Autism.

 

 Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting 1 in every 68 children born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon

 

 For the past 5 years my wife Dawn and I have participated in Walk Now for Autism Speaks to help find a cure and promote awareness. Last year we formed “Collin’s Crusaders for Autism Awareness” a non-profit group, dedicated to raising public and professional awareness about autism in the community. We not only  work to support groups like Autism Speaks, but also POAC, and  FACES. For two years in a row we received a proclamation from the mayor and town of Berkeley for the “Light It Up Blue” for Autism Awareness month. We gained recognition for placing a giant 7 foot blue neon puzzle piece in the front of the Recreation building in town, spearheading Berkeley as one of the first towns in Ocean County to “Light It Up Blue”.

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We hold several fund raising events throughout the year, such as car washes (the water fights are fun), can shakes, cake sales, and benefit dinners, we also manage a booth at the Ocean County Fair and Berkeley Pride day. In Sept. we start working on a full size parade float that we enter into the Toms River Halloween Parade. In 2013 we won 1st place. We are always open to new ideas too. Some of our walkers have been with us for the past 5 years. We have become like one big family, and we also have fun doing it. This is our website. This is what we are all about. The work we do isn't just about Collin, but all of the other children and families out there with autism. We still feel that not enough people understand this disorder. We are going to keep working hard in our community and get the word out, because  ​"EVERYDAY IS AUTISM AWARENESS DAY AT OUR HOUSE"

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                                                                                    John Shive

                                                          Police Officer/Retired