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Community Corner

Fit Life and Autism Cares Foundation Celebrate Youth

The Ivyland Fit Life center hosts a weekly workout session for children and adults with autism.

Inquisitive and energetic youth filled the Ivyland Fit Life center on Thursday night, when the fitness center hosts its weekly “fun night” for area autistic teens and young adults.  From 7 until 8 p.m, wheels to exercise bikes spun, free and nautilus weight machines got a work out and fitness instructors trained alongside the event’s participants as they completed floor exercises.

What Happened Two Years Ago

“Fun night” is sponsored by the Autism Cares Foundation, a local non-profit organization that was founded two years ago by Linda and Frank Kuepper.  The foundation serves autistic youth between the ages of 2 and 21 years.  Frank and Linda started the foundation to provide a social outlet for their 13-year old autistic son. 

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 “Our trial fun night event started in November 2010,” Linda shared.  “It was a huge success, so we decided to do a spring and a fall session.” 

The spring sessions are held each Thursday evening from late February through April.  Fall sessions are held October through November.  Each session runs for eight weeks.  The event has become so successful that Autism Cares has been asked to host a program in Ewing, N.J.,  and another program in Philadelphia.

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Fit Life’s Role at a Life Changing Event

“Fit Life provides skilled trainers to assist the children with exercises,” Frank Kuepper said.  “The Fit Life trainers run the Thursday program.  They teach the youth how to use the equipment and do exercises.”

Brian Redard, a Fit Life trainer agreed.  He added that, “It’s a great experience to meet all the kids.  Fit Life has been in existence for nearly eight years.  The Ivyland facility opened about two years ago, the time when I joined. "

Previously Fit Life provided performance and personal training, Brian said. Now they work with monthly memberships.

Fit Life hosts other fundraisers like the Breast Cancer event scheduled for April 29 at its Ivyland facility.  It has two other facilities:  one in Newtown and the other in Ewing, N.J.  

The Vision Expands

Just as its Thursday “fun night” facility continues to grow, Autism Cares’ programs continue to expand. 

“In 2009, our first year of existence, we held 26 events,” Linda said.  “We sponsored 46 outings in 2010.  Events we provide include bowling, swimming, movie night, arts and crafts, holiday parties and music programs.”

According to Linda, the combined total of youth that attended events throughout 2010 exceeded 1,250.  With parents included, the total number of people who attended events throughout 2010 reached 2,500.

Children with any level of autism are invited to participate in Autism Cares events.  The foundation’s learning lab introduced a software program to parents and their children in 2010 using a grant from the Verizon Foundation. 

Autism Cares plans to start using another program with an iPad to help parents and their children enhance learning, teaching and communication.  It also plans to start a Life Cycle resources center.

Autism Cares Leaves a Lasting Impact

Its efforts are yielding lasting results.  Jill Lauricella, mother to 15-year old Max, said, “Through Autism Cares and continuity of the fun night program my son has become familiar with the other kids.  Because of the familiarity of the faces, he looks forward to coming to all Autism Cares events.  The foundation has literally opened up his world.  We attend several activities a week.  The programs have had such an impact on my son that one day he walked up to Linda (Kuepper) and said, ‘I’m having a great time tonight.  You must be a great lady.’"

Thirteen-year-old, TJ, said, “I love the events because I get to see my friends and I get to exercise to make me stronger. My muscles get in good shape.” 

When asked what his favorite Autism Cares event was, TJ answered, “I like all of them.”

His mother, Rose Ann, said that the events are, “a great opportunity for kids to maintain their friendships.  The fun night events keep the kids active.”  

Like other parents and the foundation’s founders, Rose Ann recommends that area parents of autistic youth throughout the Bucks County region sign up to attend the events with their children.  After all, not only do the children form friendships with each other, parents also create rewarding relationships with one another.

Funds to finance Autism Cares Foundation events are generated through grants, fundraisers and charitable donations.  The foundation’s next fundraiser is April 29 at the Belle Voir Manor in Bensalem.  Area residents who are interested in donating items or money at the April 29 event and at future events should contact Linda Kuepper at linda@autismcaresfoundation.org

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