Ed Townsend | Democrat A large turnout of Zumba dancers participated in the Zumbathon for Autism held last Friday at Sullivan County BOCES in Liberty.

Taking up the fight against autism

Story by Ed Townsend
LIBERTY — November 8, 2013 — The fight against autism turned into a successful reality for 17-year-old Sullivan West student Chrissy Lare.
Through the combined efforts of the Sullivan County BOCES Wellness Committee, other BOCES staff, students for making decorations and Lare's community service project, the Walk For Autism and the Zumbathon held November 1 raised almost $3,500.
The Zumbathon took place in the BOCES gym with over 60 participants, including several local instructors who volunteered their time to lead the high-intensity dance workout.
The school gym and cafeteria were adorned with posters made by students and greatly added to the atmosphere of the fundraising event.
Sullivan County businesses who donated various baskets and gift certificates to support the Tricky Tray part of the Zumbathon included Pizza Hut, China Town, Liberty Diner, Second To None, Golden Shears Salon, Jamie Vandervolt Zumba Fitness, Liberty Fitness Center, Rolling River, Lander's, Morgan Outdoors, Callicoon Natural Foods, Cafe Devine, Aibonne, Sal's Pizza, Justine's Just Breath, Avon by Dottie Roycroft, Jamie Ward Mary Kay Products, American Storage Buildings Inc., Brigitte Baccy, L'Magnifique, The Red Barn Consignment Shop, Courtyard Restaurant, VIP Crossfit, The Other Store, Sullivan County BOCES, The Janice Center, Verona Oil Company, Roscoe Lumber, Sacred Rose Visions, Ellen Todd, Roscoe Little Store, Pierpoint Heating & Plumbing, Teri Knight, BOCES CESA Union and Peck's Market.
BOCES staff members who work with autism students daily described autism as a behavioral disorder with a number of symptoms that may range from mild to severe and that no two children with autism may have exactly the same symptoms. The common symptoms include lack of interest in or response to people, excessive interest in objects or things rather than people, avoidance of eye contact, failure to recognize or answer to their own name, failure to show or feel empathy for others, repetitive behaviors such as twirling or rocking and delayed speech and delay in reaching other milestones.