ELLOREE, S.C. — An Orangeburg County family is shining blue lights around their home in honor of Autism Awareness Month. Their point of inspiration is their son, Cole McCormack.
“You know, the blue light just lets you know hey, we’re here for each other," said parent Cassie McCormack.
For McCormack, spreading awareness about autism hits close to home. Her son Cole was diagnosed at the age of two.
“He was my first son and we didn’t know what to expect or anything like that, or the signs," said McCormack.
She says an early indicator of his diagnosis was that he was non-verbal. With the help of early intervention and therapy, he has been able to strengthen his communication skills.
He started by learning sign language, and now at six years old, she says he's able to verbalize his needs.
"If he's hungry, he can say 'mommy, daddy, I'm hungry or I wanna apple where before we were just guessing and really we were kinda left in the dark."
For the past few years, McCormack has been passing on some of what she's learned to others through the Cole's Crew Autism Awareness Walk, an annual event to support Autism Speaks on a local scale.
“They don’t need to be left out. Just because they’re different doesn’t mean they’re any less. They’re not weird or freaks, or, they shouldn’t have a label," said McCormack.
Throughout the month of April, a blue light on their front lawn symbolizes their solidarity with other families living with autism.
“It’s scary but stick together, educate, awareness. The blue light lets you know we’re here for each other," she said.
