Chula Vista resident Alvaro Clarke sits on the committee that organizes the anual San Diego Walk Now for Autism. He is also participating.
Clarke isn’t walking in the 5K walk because he has to, but because he feels he needs to for his son.
Clarke will be walking on Oct. 19 as a member of Team Brandon, which is named after his 13-year-old son who was diagnosed with Aspergser’s syndrome at the age of 5.
Asperger’s syndrome is a mild form of autism.
A friend first introduced Clarke to the annual autism walk, which he knew right away he wanted to be a part of.
“I just don’t want to walk it,” he said he told his friend when he learned of the walk. “I want to volunteer. And I’ve been participating and doing whatever I can since then.”
Clarke has walked the San Diego Walk Now for Autism four years in a row and sitting on the committee for three.
Clarke has participated in the walk for multiple sclerosis and the March of Dimes, but the autism walk is near and dear to his heart.
“I have a personal connection with this one,” he said.
Clarke won’t be walking alone as Brandon and others will be joining him.
Clarke said Brandon enjoys the cheers he receives when walking.
Clarke doesn’t do any special training to prepare for the walk.
He said all he needs is a comfortable pair of shoes and comfortable clothes and he is good to go.
The walk will also be an opportunity for participants to learn about autism as there will be informational booths scattered throughout the course.
Clarke never had resources to help him, he had to learn about autism on his own.
He noticed Brandon wasn’t developing normally and immediately suspected something was wrong.
He got Brandon diagnosed before pre-K and the doctors confirmed Asperger’s syndrome.
Clarke said it was a challenge adapting to the disorder.
“A lot of times when you have kids with challenges and stuff you take it a little personal because you want to do things with them that you cannot do.”
But as Brandon got older, the disorder changed.
“As I see him grow up and see how the development changes in him it made me really, really happy.
Clarke said the purpose of the walk is to inform the public.
“We’re just trying to raise awareness,” he said.
