I can’t think of a better way to end April, Autism Awareness Month than by checking out this video.

This creation from Autism Speaks combines the music of Five for Fighting with images of autistic children. It is a moving testament to the thousands of families and children affected by this disorder.

The band is generously donating $0.49 to AUTISM SPEAKS each time the video is viewed.

Also, with Kleenex in hand, check out the contest videos submitted by families and individuals connected to autism. My favorites:

Marco’s Story (international adoption/autism)

Raising Your North Star (training autism assistance dogs)

The Way My Brother Loves Me (older siblings’ understanding of autism)


What is the What Kind of World Do You Want website? It is the first music video community site that will help raise money for charitable organizations. A brainchild of John Ondrasik, member of the band, Five for Fighting, this site supports charities. Visitors can post their own videos or watch the ones posted, and raise money for the following charities: The charities were personally chosen by Ondrasik and includes: Save The Children, Fisher House Foundation, Autism Speaks, New York Police & Fire Widows & Children’s Benefit Fund, VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the Breast Cancer 3-Day.

Who is John Ondrasik? His song, Superman (It’s Not Easy) was a rising hit in 2001, but was catapulted into the limelight after 9/11 and John’s appearance The Concert for New York fundraiser. John, and the Five for Fighting band, is on tour throughout 2007 all around the country.

Who is Autism Speaks? Only the fast-growing autism advocacy group in the world. Recently merged with Cure Autism Now (CAN), Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

And they are popping up everywhere. Just last week, LuLu and I watched the Nickelodeon News special sponsored by them. And a few days ago, I read about a fundraiser here in Atlanta that benefits both Autism Speaks and the Marcus Institute. And now this video effort.

If you know a family affected by autism…and we all do, since 1 in 150 children now have an autism spectrum disorder…check out these videos and the works of Autism Speaks.