Ernie Els Tees Up for Autism
Finally speaking out by wearing an Autism Speaks logo on his golf bag, South African PGA golfer, Ernie Els, revealed last week at the PODS Championship in Florida that his five year old son has autism.
Like many celebrity families, the Els’ dealt with their son’s autism in private for several years before finally deciding to “speak out” and contact Autism Speaks to help raise money and awareness for autism. Similar to Holly Robinson Peete and her family, Ernie and his wife Leizl have found their lives “profoundly affected by autism”.
It’s been a bit of a challenge…Like any family will tell you, it’s not easy. And it’s a change of life, a change of priorities. You’ve got to be ready for it. And it’s happening more often. I never knew about it, never thought about it, until it’s in your lap.
Why did they chose to deal with their situation privately until now? Because, like many parents, they wanted to get a handle on the situation, to assess the disorder, to do testing, and find medical experts who could suggest treatments. It is all overwhelming at first and Els’s career did suffer some in the last few years; losing all four Majors in 2004 and numerous tournaments with Tiger…a “41 month winless drought“.
However, upon seeing the Autism Speaks logo on his golf bag a fellow golfer has stepped up to support him and other families; Cliff Kresge also has a son, 8-year-old Mason, with autism.
Els states that they are fortunate enough to not have to worry about finances and that they are able to get their son the right help. He also says that he wants to help other people find and afford the right treatment for their children, as the rate is high enough and Britain has an even higher rate of 1 in 150.
For a more personal story and a little tug on your heartstrings read Kristina’s post on Ernie…because even though my husband has always been a golfie and can drive the ball farther than any human imaginable, her words are just so much more poetic than mine.
And PLEASE, Tour the Insider for a look deeper into the heart of a man not only touched, but also driven by autism.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
In in Slovakia. Recently my 5 month old son developed a reaction after being injected with a TBC. The reaction developed into sometime of huge red pimple like growth with pas under his armpit. The doctors diagnosed it as a result of the vaccine developed in Holland. Many of the doctors who we have seen have stated the same thing which is the old Soviet based jabs didnt have any side effect but now most kids seem to have some form of reaction. My question boils down to the fact that how can we ensure that companies producing this vaccines aren’t producing a failed product?..Are jabs produced in different countries contributing to the negative development of children?
June 19th, 2008 at 7:38 am
[...] Els: Just this year, Els revealed his son’s autism. He has since teamed up with Autism [...]