Mackinaw Bridge Goes Blue For Autism Awareness
MACKINAC (WWJ) - The Mackinaw Bridge has turned blue for National Autism Awareness Month.
WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke Benjamin Duff, founder of Corner Pieces -- a non-profit group he started because his 7-year-old son has autism.
Without any taxpayer money, Duff found sponsors to pay to rig up blue lights on the bridge as a beacon supporting those with the disorder.
After writing his state representative, this self-named "regular guy" got his chance to speak direction to state officials.
"I was able to pitch the idea to the Bridge Authority. You know, they had to vote on it and talk to the lawyers ... They said OK! And I was told much later that probably one out of every couple hundred they say yes to," he said. "But, yeah; I'm just a regular guy."
Duff said he hopes the specially lit bridge will draw attention to the cause.
"I just hope that people that ... have autism or have loved ones with autism, children, when they see the bridge, the photos of it all lit up for them -- they feel like they're not alone, you know; the state's with them," he said.
The bridge will remain blue through April.
