STATEN ISLAND — A weekly series of walks and runs designed specifically for people with autism are being held in Staten Island.
Borough President James Oddo, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, the New York Road Runners (NYRR) and Autism Speaks will bring the events to Conference House Park.
Oddo got the idea for the program after he read an article in Runner's World in which writer Rob Rueff introduced his autistic son Ryan to his daily runs and saw the positive benefits it had for him.
"This event is not about a love for fitness. Rather it’s about helping to further the relationship between the child and his or her parent," Oddo said.
"It’s about the child’s confidence and about potentially providing many other benefits so eloquently described by Rob Rueff.
"For some kids, like Ryan, it is running. For other kids it might be some other activity. Whatever the activity, we simply have to find creative ways to help put more of the pieces of this puzzle together through perhaps unexpected paths."
The first run/walk will kick off on April 3. The series will continue every Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Tottenville park.
Oddo said after he read the article, he was inspired to bring an event where people who might not be runners can come and learn from others. He reached out to the New York Road Runners and Autism Speaks with Cusick to set it up.
"As a lifelong runner who has experienced firsthand the positive impacts that running can have on your life, I am so thrilled to be a partner in this innovative program right here on Staten Island," Cusick said in a statement.
"As we saw with Ryan and his father Rob, I believe that we are providing something special for these kids, a real opportunity for them to discover a new passion and to develop a relationship with the great folks from NYRR."
The weekly runs/walks will be part of the NYRR's series of Open Runs in parks around the city and families can RSVP online.
