Actress and autism-rights activist Holly Robinson Peete stirred and charmed a large crowd at the “Living with Autism Workshop” in Troy with her compelling personal story of raising a child with autism when few knew what to make of the disorder.
“It was a really difficult, dark time,” she said upon learning of her son’s diagnosis in the late ‘90s. R.J., the eldest son of her four children with former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, is now 14. “Yes, your son has autism,” she recalled her pediatrician saying. “And here’s a whole list of things your son will never do.”
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The sixth annual Star Power was actually the first annual Star Power to take a “virtual turn” along with romps down local Main Streets across Michigan.
Under a bright, blue sky a giant star stood as a symbol of Genesee County’s support for early childhood investment in Michigan.
In recognition of their outstanding work this year, Jan Shangle, Coordinator for the Ottawa County Great Start Collaborative Coalition, Mary Manner of the Traverse Bay Area Great Start Collaborative and Jamina Tepley of Oakland County Great Start Parent Coalition were awarded the state’s top “Fierce Heart” award for young children by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.
In recognition of their outstanding work, this year the Kent County Great Start Parent Coalition was named the state’s top “Fierce Heart” organization for young children by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.