autism, ted lindsay, foundation, philanthropy, oucares
September 16, 2024
Oakland University's John Young, vice president for Communications and Marketing, and his daughter Katie, were awarded the 2024 Ted Lindsay Foundation Family Courage Award for their perseverance and courage during their own family’s autism journey and for their community contributions in assisting others over the years.
The Family Courage Award annually recognizes a person or family who has been challenged by the diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and honors their commitment to live and thrive despite the disorder.
The award presentation of a recognition plaque and a check came during the annual Ted Lindsay Foundation Celebrity Golf outing on September 9 at the Detroit Golf Club.
“John and Katie’s story is one of resilience and unwavering dedication to creating a fulfilling life for the boys in their family despite significant challenges,” wrote award nominator Mike Westfall. “I have been deeply inspired by their proactive approach in dealing with the labyrinth of government funding and other administrative hurdles and I admire their remarkable fortitude as it relates to dealing with the challenges of autism.”
John’s two sons, Katie’s brothers, Jonathan and Joe, found themselves navigating the complexities of living on the spectrum during a critical phase of their lives when they tragically lost their mother, Melinda, who served as their primary caregiver. It was during that critical time, when they were transitioning from boys into young men, their older sister, Katie, along with their father, John, selflessly stepped in, making personal sacrifices to provide the care and support the boys needed.
Living in Rochester Hills, Michigan, the Young family faces the daily reality of caregiver shortages, which exacerbates the already demanding nature of managing ASD. With a single parent and two special needs individuals, they confront obstacles that most families cannot imagine. However, they have shown steadfast determination to forge ahead, meticulously planning for the unpredictability that ASD often brings.
“The world is not set up for this situation,” John Young explained. “However, there is only one option -- we move forward each week sorting out each situation as it comes up -- some predictable and many not so much. I have had to learn about the alphabet soup of government funding and the endless forms, the challenges of finding programming to support the boys, the unpredictability of sleep patterns for people with ASD and the daily reality of helping the boys deal with various levels of anxiety.”
John and Katie have tirelessly advocated for Jonathan and Joe, ensuring they have access to essential services and opportunities. Through resourcefulness, and with support from programs like the Dutton Farm Day Program and OUCARES programming at OU, Jonathan and Joe have been able to grow and transition during and after high school.
The Young family also advocates for others with a spirit of generosity and community involvement to support other families facing similar struggles. For them, advocacy is not just a responsibility, but a passion to improve the lives of other individuals with ASD and their families.
Learn more about the Ted Lindsay Foundation, their mission and their community work.
Learn more about Oakland University’s Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services -OUCARES.
Learn more about Dutton Farm and their Day Program.