GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The International Motorcycle Club Fire and Iron MC will be riding the Devils from Grand Forks to spread autism awareness and raise money for Artur, an autism diagnostic clinic. We drove 90 miles to the lake.
Joe Getty, a member of the Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club, created the idea for a twice-yearly motorcycle ride.
“I came up with an idea, and I presented it to the club and they were like, ‘Yeah, let’s run with this,'” Getty said.
This mission began when Joe’s son Grayson was himself diagnosed with autism. The members of Altru gave Grayson the growth his family had hoped for.
“They provided us with various resources and helped us connect with multiple people to better support our son,” Getty said.
Among those who work with autism patients is speech therapist Alex Lampl, who explains what makes Artur unique.
“They can meet with a group of speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy therapists to do a screening and make recommendations if additional services are needed for the child,” Lampl said.
The effort to raise money for Artur was one that benefited all families, not just Joe’s.
“Diagnosis alone can cost thousands of dollars or more, so we’re just trying to alleviate that problem with donations and fundraising,” Getty said.
Anyone from anywhere can join this movement.
“We’ve had people come from all over Belle Fourche, South Dakota, to support this cause, so it’s even bigger,” said Jake Johnson, vice president of the motorcycle club.
Getty says he has noticed an increase in the autism population.
“I wish people were more aware and more informed. They’re still human beings. Be kind. There’s nothing wrong with being kind to others,” Getty said.
Joe says he expects 100 people to participate over the next few years.
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