'Pathfinders For Autism' Event Held At Towson
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ)—Conversations with a cause, the NBA Commissioner, former New York Stock Exchange CEO and more, help to bring awareness to autism on Wednesday.
Each speaker spoke to the crowd about success and getting to the top of their game. While the speeches didn't address the autism, the event brought out people who in turn learned how they could help.
Marcus Washington was at the event and has more on the forum.
One by one they gave words of finding the power within.
"We get a lot of strength from our roots right?" said Duncan Niederauer, former NYSE CEO.
Never letting obstacles stand in your path.
"There are really hard days when I don't understand why I don't have my legs," said paralympian Jessica Long.
And going for your destiny.
"What's in my gut as the right thing to do," said Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner.
Inside the SECU Arena at Towson University crowds of people enjoyed former CEO of the New York Stock Exchange, joined by the NBA Commissioner, and a paralympian gold medalist, for "Pathfinders for Autism's forum on success with master of ceremonies Mark Viviano.
"I did not come here to get second. We touched the wall at the exact same time and I looked up and I had done it. I just won my first paralympic gold medal at age 12," said Long.
"Some people have had some different paths to success and obviously it's going to help us raise some money, which will in turn allow us to expand our programming around the state," said BJ Surhoff, Pathfinders for Autism.
While Pathfinders for Autism has been around for 15 years, this is the first time they are holding this event.
"A lot of people say, 'I don't know what I'm passionate about,' that takes hard work too, to explore new areas. I didn't just send a letter to David Stern, I sent a letter to 50 people," said Silver.
The money and awareness from this event will help more families right here in Maryland with autistic children. Awareness gained by conversations of success.
"Your career is simply a series of experiences and those experiences, the ones you're going to be better at or not do better at, all of them draw from your previous experiences, all of them draw from your scar tissue," said Duncan Niederauer, former CEO NYSE.
Surhoff says this is the first time the organization has hosted this fundraiser and they plan on discussing the possibility of making this an annual event.
All the money raised stays in Maryland to help with events and programs associated with autism.