HOWELL – As members of the Howell Township Council proclaimed April to be Autism Awareness Month, Councilman Bob Walsh took a moment to thank his fellow elected officials and the township for their support in what is, for him, a very personal matter.
During a meeting on April 17, Walsh read a proclamation declaring April 2018 to be Autism Awareness Month in Howell. The proclamation “urges all employees and residents to participate in our municipality’s Autism Awareness Month activities in order to become better educated on the subject of autism spectrum disorders.”
“As many of you know, I have an autistic son who lives in a group home in south Jersey,” Walsh said. “They really are making leaps and strides compared to when my son started in the schools here (in Howell) 20 years ago in the autistic program at the Newbury School and it has really expanded tremendously in Howell. I will forever be indebted to Howell for all the community has done for my son and for many other young guys and girls like him.”
He said Howell was a great place to raise a child who has special needs.
“I will always be grateful,” Walsh said.
The councilman said he plans to visit his son at the new group home at which he resides. Walsh said he and his wife will join Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) at the residence.
“They called and asked if some of the parents will be involved. It will be my privilege and honor to go down there and just say thank you. This state has come a long way and I think we need to go further in helping our own, I really truly do,” he said.
Walsh got emotional as he said “it has not always been easy. The people in this state, and especially the people in this town, have gone above and beyond, and they made our lives a little bit easier and a lot better. I just want to say thank you to the people of Howell. I just want to say thank you and do not worry about me.”
Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell was sitting next to Walsh and went over to comfort him, leading Walsh to jokingly say, “Get away from me Evelyn!”
“What a sweet man,” O’Donnell said.
