Today marked the first time the walk was held at Dorney Park, as past events took place in Allentown's Lehigh Parkway. See PHOTOS and VIDEO. Watch video
After a week that began with a terrorist attack in Boston and ended with gunbattles and a manhunt in its neighboring suburbs, Melanie Bossie said she was more than ready to see some good in human nature.
This morning, the Macungie parent was one of thousands of participants to complete the 1.3-mile Walk Now for Autism Speaks at Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township, an annual event geared toward raising awareness and funds for autism research.
Bossie, whose 7-year-old son, Caleb, was recently diagnosed with autism, said more than 90 people showed up to walk for her team alone.
"Especially after this week," Bossie said, it was exactly what she needed to see.
"It's our first walk and it's been fantastic," Bossie said.
Melissa Zavorski, a Pennsylvania-based walk director for Autism Speaks, said she believes today's event drew more than 10,000 participants, a local record since the walk first came to the Lehigh Valley in 2007.
Today marked the first day the walk was held at Dorney Park, as past events took place at the Lehigh Parkway in Allentown.
The event marked the Lehigh Valley's largest single gathering since the Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people and wounded more than 180. One suspect was killed and a second captured Friday night in a dramatic 24-hour period in the Boston area.
Liz Field, president of Autism Speaks, a New York City-based nonprofit, said in a message on the event's website that local staff had planned and reviewed for additional security measures in the wake of the attacks.
In addition to the walk itself, informational vendors, refreshments and games for children were set up and available to participants.
Zavorski said that in addition to raising funds and awareness, the event is meant to bring a sense of unity and hope to families dealing with autism.
"We certainly want to get the message out to all of our families that there's help out there for them," Zavorski said.
The walk also offers a common place for families dealing with similar issues to feel a sense of acceptance, she said.
"Everybody has lived that life, has walked a mile in the parents' shoes," Zavorski said. "No one's being judged, and it's such an amazing event for families to come and experience that."
That exact sentiment drove Palmer Township parents Denise and Alphonse Forsythe to erect an Autism Speaks billboard featuring a photograph of their 3-year-old autistic son, Peyton, earlier this month in Lopatcong Township.
Denise Forsythe previously told The Express-Times that all too often when her son screams or acts up in a public place, she'll get disconcerting glares from people who seem all too quick to condemn her parenting skills.
Once, she remembers, a woman came up to her in a store and called her son a brat.
Today, the Forsythes were out in support of their son, joining the thousands on the walk.
"Everybody here is the same," Alphonse Forsythe said. "Nobody's different."
More than 80 people joined their team helping to raise roughly $4,300, they said.
"It was amazing to see all the support," Denise Forsythe said.