Krystal Swain

When RPCC student Krystal Swain was told that her oldest son had autism, she had no idea what to do next. She was informed of the diagnosis, and then left to fend for herself.

Like any good mother, she set out to learn as much as she could about the condition that had affected her child. One of the first things she learned was that there were no resource centers or many other information sources for parents of autistic children in the Baton Rouge area.

She was handed a sheet of paper and told, ‘Your son has autism, here’s an information sheet.’ There was no centralized place in the area she could turn to for support, or even information.

Instead of resigning herself to those circumstances, Swain decided to act. As well as learning everything she could about autism and autistic children, she began to organize a charitable event – an autism walk – to raise awareness in the Baton Rouge community.

When her plans were underway, she caught the attention of Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge. That organization helps families of children with disabilities by providing much-needed resources, such as information and assistance. It is directed and staffed by parents or family members of children or adults with disabilities.

Those efforts to organize soon became the Inaugural Greater Baton Rouge Autism Awareness Walk on March 20. More than 1,500 walkers participated in the walk along Goodwood Boulevard, raising more than $45,000. That money will be used to fund and maintain the area’s first autism resource center at the Families Helping Families building in Baton Rouge.

In addition to all of her many activities to promote autism awareness, Swain is a full-time student at River Parishes Community College. She is also the full-time mother of two children, as well as being a wife. After graduating in May 2010 with an associate’s degree in the education field, she will enroll at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to complete her education bachelor’s degree.