half a hundred

Sara and I have our pictures (with our son - and soon to be another son/daughter) taken by a fantastic photographer, named Bethany. She comes up with clever backdrops and an amazing camera that even makes me look acceptable.

Bethany has three kids, and her middle son, Mason, was diagnosed with autism. Though every time we’ve seen her and her family, they seem to be getting around and along happily and great, it’s a twist that requires a lot from parents, and kids stretch us too thin anyways.

Autism diagnosis rates have increased significantly in the last decade, though this is largely attributed to broader and better criteria. 1 in 150 kids will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. While no cure or definitive cause (though research is narrowing in on one) has been discovered, treatment for both parents and kids is available, and as always, researchers need money to work.

The charity [donate here] is Autism Speaks, which doesn’t back any psuedoscience that I could find. This means that they’re *for* vaccinating children, which is important, and they also contribute 75% of donations directly to research and therapy programs. They’re not snake oil salesmen, and they’re one of the few beacons for science-based medicine standing up when celebrities are doing everything they can to be counter-productive.

I’ve read and received tweets that people would like to give, but they have to pay [taxes/rent/heroin]. First off, if you think you’re being taxed too much, the good news is that donations are tax deductible, and it’s allowing you to determine where your money is going. This is a win-win. Rent? Well, that’s important, but I bet if you skipped Starbucks once a week for a month, you’d have almost enough to put down $50. And heroin? Suck.

Really, you’ve got no excuse not to give, and you’ll be helping out not only our photographer and her son, but kids all over the world who need it.

Donate. Now.