In December 2017, I attended my first meeting as a board member of SARRC (Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center). It's hard to even put into words how much SARRC has given hope to my family and countless others. Hope, a way forward in the darkness, a belief in miracles, limitless expectation for the future. I am thrilled to be able to champion this organization, it's talented team, and its fearless leader, Danny Openden. We also have to thank Denise Resnik for co-founding SARRC many years ago. She introduced me to SARRC when my husband and I first moved to the Valley by inviting me to my first breakfast in 2009. The SARRC breakfast is one of the largest events of its kind in the Valley and is a tear jerker every time.

Thanks to SARRC, we live in the most "autism friendly city in America." What a treasure we have in our own backyard! For World Autism Awareness Day, Danny and Pearl co-authored an Op-Ed for the Arizona Republic. To read it click here.