Foundation News

foundation news » home

Accomplishments and Achievements of the RT Autism Awareness Foundation

• June 2008
  Star Tribune Article

• June 2008
  KSTP Twin Cities Live video

• December 2007:
  Dear Brad,
  
  My name is Brenna Nagele(my parents are Mark and Angie they go to your autism support group meetings). I am in the GATE program at Bamber Valley in the third grade.
  
  We are doing a project where we have to interview a local hero. I was wondering if I could interview you? We would have to do a short interview and then there will be a small party honoring the local hero's that we picked. We will find out when the party is later and I will let you know.
  
  The local hero has to be someone who volunteers or does good things for the community. I would like to interview you because you help families who have kids with Autism, you started Project Lifesaver, and you teach the schools about bullying kids with Autism. The interview will only take about twenty minutes.Would you please help me with this project?
  
  Thank you ,
  Brenna Nagele
• March 2007: Brad Trahan, with support of many, addressed the Rochester City Council regarding the proposed Impaired Child sign ordinance.  We invite those who were unable to attend the meeting on the evening of March 5, 2007 to read Brad's address to the members of the Rochester City Council. 

Thanks to the Trahan's determination, the Proposed Ordinance that was to be voted on during the March 5th meeting, that would assess a $200 fee to families that request a Autism-Deaf-Blind sign posted on their property, has been stopped.  

To read Brad's full address to the council members, click here

To read the story as told by Chris Woodward of KTTC News, click here

Brad sent the following email to those who supported RTAAF and the Trahan's during this latest challenge.  We encourage you to read it and send BT a note of support and thanks at rtautism@yahoo.com

Family and Friends,  

I am happy to announce that the Proposed Ordinance that was to be voted on tonight assessing a $200 fee to families that request a Autism-Deaf-Blind sign posted on their property HAS BEEN STOPPED.   This ordinance was approved by it's first reading back on February 5th, 2007.  You all know the story about how bad of an ordinance it was and it's discrimination to our Autism-Deaf-Blind community by such a fee but also putting an "age limit" on such a request.   I prepared and spoke from my 6-page written argument to the City Council.  Afterwards-President Hanson stated that the Proposed Ordinance would not be accepted and that this Ordinance would be referred back to the "Committee as a Whole" in which President Hanson informed, not asked, but informed I would very much be involved with.  Council President Hanson made a personal phone call to me at 5:30pm before the 7pm meeting and notified me of such and without going into detail, let's just say our research paid off and we feel we provided a very valid argument on behalf of our Autism-Blind-Deaf individuals and families so such fees ARE NOT mandated.  

This is a HUGE win for us friends!  Are we done?  No-we are not but at the same time-if we wouldn't have taken his position-this would have been voted into City Ordinance tonight. We've stopped that and I feel we will now be VERY much involved.   With that said-some have asked what my position will be as we move forward with this and I said, "Simple.  I will accept any such fee assessed to families." 

I need to PERSONALLY thank you all for being there in person, in thought and or just thinking of us.  We have received so much great support on this and your notes, calls, personal visits assured us that we are doing the right thing.  Sometimes when you take these issues on-you tend to get beat up here and there, but as mentioned, this ordinance is simply bad and as I stated, "I am embarrassed for whoever wrote such an ordinance". 

I share an attachment with you of what I spoke about this evening at the Council meeting.    Friends-BELIEVE AND YOU WILL ACHIEVE!  We just knocked out one more brick of the wall of challenge!  As a TEAM-we will ACHIEVE so much more by working together than any one of us can do on our own!  Tonight-the TEAM of RTAAF and it's supporter's from different walks of life and different representation of Special Needs prevailed!  

Regards, BT

• September 2006:  Brad Trahan was recently invited to speak at IBM Rochester.  The following email from Brad Trahan summarizes the focus of his speach, as well as his passion! 

I had the opportunity at the invitation of Ric Wright (Spouse Jamie-RTAAF Board Member) to speak at IBM Rochester today. Ric is on the Core Committee for IBM Rochester to raise funds through their United Way campaign.  There were approximately 150 IBM employees present today and they were very significant members of IBM's giving.  The people at today's gathering were people who made 1% or more of their salary to giving-I believe this group alone accounted for over 40% of IBM Rochester's giving....something close to that.

What I talked to this group about today was leadership.  I mixed in how Joanie and I started RTAAF and where we are at today.  I mixed in that IBM has always been known to be leaders in their field and that the group I talked to today were so very vital with their giving for groups like RTAAF to survive and that it was greatly appreciated.  Loren Else (RTAAF President) attended with me today and told me "BT-you nailed your speech today." and that felt good and I felt I did as well.  I hit w/emotion and passion!  I stressed to them my thanks, no matter what organization they donate to!  And I explained that if we all work together as a team-we will achieve so much more success than any one of us could do on our own.  You see-I take that line from my brother Bryan!  Bryan was my best man at our wedding and in Bryan's toast to Joanie and I he said, "Brad and Joanie-the two of you will achieve so much more success together than either one of you could have done on your own."  I don't know if my bro knows this but I use that phrase in my speeches on autism EVERY time and blend the group I'm talking with to jump on our wagon with us to help out.  I had some people that came up to Loren and I afterwards and ask questions and one guy was at our Comedy Show and just loved it!  He thanked us so much for what we are doing for our community.  And man-he had the hardest handshake ever-WOW!  And one thing that I want to share w/you-we spoke to several people that have already heard of us-that's awesome!

On Oct. 3rd I speak to a class at RCTC but on Oct. 4th-I'm back at IBM, again-at the request of Ric and his committee.  This time I will be speaking to over 800 people-it's their biggest meeting w/IBM employees each year.  This will be the kick-off to the full IBM Rochester's employees giving contribution campaign.  I get 10-15 minutes to "sell" RTAAF and let them know what we are doing for SE Minnesota.

Clearly-this will be the largest group that I've ever spoken to at one time-but my friends, between today's talk, I call it Phase 1-w/the hard core givers and then on Oct. 4th with another 800 people-if I can do it right-this could mean thousands and I mean thousands of dollars into RTAAF via United Way.  IBM has generated anywhere from $1 to $1.75 million in giving!  On the 4th I'll be talking about our future w/RTAAF, what we have accomplished so far and the impact autism has on them the taxpayer but also the families, therapists, supporters and more!  As we stay focused that the giving is nice-it's just awesome that we are touching this many more people about the "Awareness" of Autism.....brick by brick my friends-we're knocking them down! 

With that said....what another great day for RTAAF!  You all have my commitment that I will give it everything I have on Oct. 4th to make such an impact on these 800+ IBM employees that they will feel the leadership to donate back to RTAAF.  You'll chuckle at me for this but if each of those 800 employees donated $5.00 per paycheck times 26 paychecks per year, that would generate $104,000.00 for RTAAF.

None the less-I will be prepared and anything we generate is better than what we have right?  Finally-I really would like to thank Ric Wright for his leadership and getting me out to IBM.  We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness Ric!  I hope you hear positive feedback from today!  Take care and I wish each of you well-On behalf of Joanie and myself, thanks for all the work you do and the commitment you show for RTAAF-it's greatly appreciated and noticed.

Regards,

BT

• April 2006:  Brad and Joanie Trahan and their family visited the Rochester John Marshall High School CAP class of Mrs. Winter to enhance autism awareness.  After meeting with the Trahan's, Mrs. Winter wrote the following letter of appreciation!

  Brad and Joanie,

  Before you come to class I tell my students that you are the most passionate speaker they will ever hear and you have never let them down! After you leave, I always take some time to debrief with my students and answer any questions they have. One of the questions on my final exam asks students to explain how one thing/lesson in class has affected them the most. The most common response is you. Your passion about your family and autism makes a huge impact on them. It is something they carry with them once they leave this building.

  Have a great summer,

  Sue Winter
  Community Awareness Program Supervisor
  John Marshall High School

• January 12th, 2006:  RTAAF was contacted by Kathryn Lee, a student of Concordia College in Moorehead, MN.  Kathryn wrote the following email to RTAAF, upon which RTAAF responded with enthusiasm!  Good luck Kathryn on your assignment!

I was writing because I've decided to do my Discourse 109 Oral Communications course speeches on autism, and I was wondering if it would be possible for you to send me some information from your organization for my research.  Later in the semester I will be required to do an informative speech with visual aids and also a persuasive speech.  I was hoping I could get some pins or magnets for the persuasive speech to encourage support for your cause.  The class is small (under 20 people) and I would be willing to pay for the magnets or pins.  Your family really made an impact on my life last year, and I would like to share with my college community the message you brought to C.A.P. 

Thank you so much, 

Kathryn Lee (Concordia College)

Hi Kathryn, 

Thank you very much for your note!  There is an old saying out there Kathryn that in our talks about Autism, if we can impact one person's life with knowledge, facts and what's "real" about autism, it is certainly worth it.  In reading your note-it's real good to hear and know how much this affected your life.  Thank you for being so receptive to what we had to say on that day! If you go to our website Kathryn at www.RTAutismAwareness.org you will find a lot of good information.  I would encourage you Kathryn to click on to the "About Us" link and scroll down to where it says "Here are 10 things I every child with autism wishes you knew".  I should also mention Kathryn in the "About Us" link you will find all that you need to know about RTAAF and how and when we got started, etc.  That is some real powerful stuff Kathryn and IT WILL make people think.  In addition, click on to our Support Group link. The RTAAF Support Group Coordinators have done a wonderful job of putting together a lot of factual information about autism.  I think you will find what you need there as well. 

As far as pins or magnets....is there a preference?  You will see that we are selling these but I think I can say with confidence that the RTAAF Board would not mind donating pins/magnets to you for your project if you are encouraging people to support our cause.  I will talk to the Board about that but when we have someone out talking about us as you will to your college class, we are grateful for that.  When do you need the pins/magnets by? 

In closing-thank you for doing this!  But here is where I'm going to challenge you my friend!  Go get them on this!  The reason being is that if we made an impact on you-I'm confident that you will make an impact on one of your peers.  By all of us teaming up together-we can achieve so much more working together than any one of us could do on our own.  Study hard on this because it's a big project but knowing you Kathryn-you can make a big impact on your peers!  This is a little bit of a rah-rah, pump up speech to you and I know you will come through!   Hey-remind them that April is Autism Awareness Month as well ok!  And w/regards to these pins/magnets, please ask that they wear the pin or display the magnet somewhere where it reminds them about autism; car, work office cabinet, at home where they can see it every day.  I say that because autism affects all of us every day and we need to be reminded of that! Take care and good luck!  Will you please write back when your two part series is done and let us know how it went for you and the feedback your classmates gave you?  I know the Board would like to hear that!  Make it a great day and remember it's already a better one because you’re a part of it! 

Regards,BT


• December 14th, 2005:  On behalf of the RT Autism Awareness Foundation, Inc. Brad and Joan Trahan were awarded the Office of the Mayor Medal of Honor (Mayor Ardell F. Brede of Rochester, MN) in recognition for the efforts in behalf of  "Services To Those With Disabilities."
  

• Recently Brad Trahan, co-founder of RT Autism Awareness Foundation, spoke to Cardinal of Minnesota staff members at a short presentation.  Following is an letter Brad wrote to the many dedicated supporters of RTAAF:

This past week on Tuesday, November 8th, I was asked by Cardinal of Minnesota (Residential Services) to speak on behalf of RTAAF.  This all came about because as I was out asking for hole sponsors for the 3rd Annual RTAAF Golf Benefit, I came across Cardinal of Minnesota in our Chamber book - they too belong to the Chamber of Commerce in Rochester, MN.  I wrote the President, Mr. Jack Priggen, and although Jack couldn't participate in the golf benefit this past year due to a prior commitment, as he introduced me on Tuesday, he acknowledged to his staff of over 50 + individuals that he, himself will be participating in the 2006 golf benefit and encouraged them to as well!  In addition, it sounds like he will be sponsoring a hole next year.  Since learning about us, Jack has looked into RTAAF and expressed to his staff that the RTAAF is doing great things and we are great people!
 
I spoke for 1/2 hour and the importance of this talk friends is that currently Cardinal of Minnesota only houses 6-7 autistic individuals.  Clearly some of our younger autistic children will get older.  Some will be able to stay at home and some won't.  I've always said, we want to keep Reece with us as long as we can but in realistic terms we may have to eventually put Reece in a group home.  It will be the TOUGHEST day of mine and Joanie's life but it may be the best for Reece.  It's the future, only time will tell but we must prepare.  You see . . . Reece and our young ones may only be 5, 6, or 7 now but they will get to be 13, 15, 20 years old and get big and strong. This is only one reason why it is so important to help these kids when they are young.
 
Cardinal was very impressed with RTAAF and that's a tribute to each of you.  I clearly told them that there is no doubt that in 5-10 years . . . they will see an increase with their autistic children in some of their residential homes.  Number's don't lie; 1 of 10,000 diagnosed in the 80's and now 1 of 166.  It was a great opportunity to touch more people and guess what, we made 50+ more people aware of what we are doing.  I speak to people in this community EVERY day about RTAAF and they know about us.  I speak to people in the area every day, new people who say they are going to golf in our event next year.  You know, that just hit me the other day actually!  Literally . . . there is not one day that goes by that I don't run into someone that doesn't talk about our Foundation. What a tribute!  
 
Thanks for all you do!  Each of you are the best and day by day we are getting closer to getting answers about autism.  Day by day we are closer to putting up a facility!

Regards,
BT  

• September 2005:  RTAAF supported the Rochester School District through a donation of $600.00 to Amy Balzum.  Amy will be preparing literature on Autism for the families in the 18/36 month program of the Rochester School District. 

• Through Brian Russell's networking RTAAF with the Minnesota Vikings, on July 25th, 2005 RTAAF was able to invite seven kids and five adults to take part in the 9th Annual Mike Tice United Way Youth Football Day at the Vikings Practice facilities at Winter Park.  Thank you Brian Russell!

• News Center KAAL contacted RTAAF to interview Brad Trahan on Wednesday, July 20th about autism in preparation for a 20/20 episode that aired Friday, July 22nd, 2005.  This particular episode of 20/20 focused on "What Causes Autism" and the recent attention it has been getting.  KAAL-TV interviewed Brad Trahan for approximately 20 minutes, and while only about 20 seconds was aired Brad felt this segment was well received.

• Became part of the "village that raised a playground" by sponsoring, with a $1,000 donation, the Tire Swing at the new Soldier's Field Playground

• Brad Trahan spoke with the Rochester John Marshall High School CAP class of Mrs. Winter at 9:15am and 1:45pm on May 3rd, 2005 to enhance autism awareness

• News Center KAAL Parental Fee Interview: March 24th, 2005.

• Brad and Joanie Trahan, co-founders of RTAAF were recently interviewed by Rochester News Station KTTC concerning Parental Fees.  Footage of the interview was aired on February 22nd, 2005.

• Recent presentation at the Minnesota State Capital in front of the House Health and Human Services Policy and Finance Committee with regards to lowering parental fees

• Organizers of Autism Awareness Day with the Minnesota Twins (2004, 2005)  - 2004 Minnesota Twins Attendance Award Recipients
  

• Organizers of Autism Awareness Day with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2005)
  

• Member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce
  

• Accepted into the Minnesota Vikings Charity Network (2004)

• Hosted the first Annual RT Autism Awareness Walk (2004)
  

• Hosted the Annual RT Autism Awareness Golf Benefit (2003, 2004)

• Received the Kids Day America/International Children’s Empowerment Award For Outstanding Commitment and Dedication To The Children Of Our Community – Rochester, MN (2004)
  

• Assisting U.S. Senator Norm Coleman and his office on issues relating to autism and the Mental Health Parity Bill
  

• Providing monthly Support Group Meetings that provide networking with over 60 families. Guests have included Senator Coleman’s Staff, Rochester Park and Recreation, Ironwood Christian Springs Ranch, and Austin Communications. Support Group Coordinators assisted in putting together a “picture schedule” for families
  

• On-going involvement with state and local politicians to address budget reductions that impact support and services to families with autistic children (2005)
  

• On-going collaboration with city officials for placement of signs stating “Autistic Child In Area” in Sargeant (2004) and Rochester (2005) at the request of parents of children with autism at no cost to the family
  

• On-going presentations to community groups in Southeast Minnesota to enhance autism awareness (“Autism: The affects on the Child and Family”) Recent presentations include:
        Kiwanis Club (Rochester AM and PM, Faribault)
        Lions Club

      Rochester Century High School Government class (studying health care cuts, etc.)
      Rochester John Marshall High School CAP Class (2 years)
      Rochester Exchange Club
      Sertoma Club

• On-going recruitment of respite caregivers for families and children in the autistic community
  

• On-going response to e-mails, phone calls and letters to assist families on issues such as school concerns, caregivers, and emotional support and guidance