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The Boston Celtics held Autism Acceptance Night at TD Garden Friday as the team hosted the Phoenix Suns. This marks the second time the franchise has dedicated a night to people living with autism.
TD Garden provided four sensory rooms designed to offer a calm atmosphere for fans who may otherwise want to take a break from the loud noises and other sensory stimuli from the game. These were available throughout the building, and according to the Celtics, team employees were invited to participate in a "Introduction to Sensory Inclusion" training that came with educational resources and the chance to earn a certification.
The evening included several other intimate moments that helped celebrate the autism community, including a special gesture from Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Mazzulla wore a customized pair of sneakers to further promote awareness for individuals living with autism. The shoes feature a rainbow infinity symbol to represent neurodiversity and inclusion. This logo is borrowed from the To the Max Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by former Celtics assistant coach Scott Morrison and his wife Susanne in honor of their son Max, who was diagnosed with autism in 2022. Coaches throughout the NBA are wearing special shoes to support the To the Max Foundation.
For Mazzulla, though, the night hits especially close to home. Max is Mazzulla's godson. He spoke about the sneakers and participating in Autism Acceptance Night after the game
"It's an important cause, Mazzulla said. "I know people in my life whose children have autism, and the impact it can have on children and families. Max is my godson, and so to be able to represent him and help him in any way I can, it's a great opportunity."
Mazzulla's sneakers are part of a league-wide initiative, but Friday also saw efforts to support the autism community closer to home. The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism worked with the Celtics as part of the night's programming.
Director of marketing at the foundation Liz Monroe told Celtics Wire this was a natural fit, and that advocating for people living with autism extends beyond a single night.
"As an autism nonprofit rooted in Boston history, we are proud to partner with the legendary Celtics for their Autism Acceptance night," Monroe said. "We are passionate about joining forces with partners that elevate the voices and stories of autistic people, and we're grateful to be part of such an impactful month but also ready to buckle down and continue to make an impact in the autism community as Autism Acceptance doesn’t end when April does."
The foundation will continue their advocacy this month by sponsoring the Adaptive Program for Runners at this year's Boston Marathon. This includes supporting 17 runners with autism, many of whom are racing for the very first time, as well as hosting a group of artistic artists at the marathon's Fan Fest prior to Marathon Monday.
The Celtics also elevated autistic voices in their own way on Friday. The nightly "Hero Among Us" award was presented to Newton resident Melissa DeFay, the owner of We Rock the Spectrum, the lone sensory gym in the Greater Boston area that’s open to the public for young people with autism.
The national anthem was also a special moment. Friday's singer was Erik Dunn, who later told Celtics Wire that signing the national anthem on the parquet was a bucket list item.
"As someone that has been living with autism since I was seven years old, just being here in front of an entire sold out crowd was special," Dunn said. "I wanted to tell my story in just a two and a half minute performance. It means more than you know for someone whose dream is to perform, and to serve families and help serve communities."
"If anything tonight was the first night I could say maybe the rest of my life can finally begin. All I wanted to do was give back to families, to get give to kids, and to help my family by making sure they know that their boys going to be okay because he busted his ass and shot for his dream."
Dunn's rendition was slower and more melodic than most, earning thunderous applause by the song's end. He explained why this was a proud moment, and helped underscore why a gesture like hosting Autism Acceptance Night is such a powerful move from the Celtics.
"I'm a military grandson," Dunn said. "I'm an army grandson, and without the heroes and the first responders who we have protecting us, I'm not here."
"All I can do is be me and give back to others and say, without being disrespectful, 'here's the Erik Dun version,' while still keeping it the original, but showing that I'm different. Here's why I'm different."
Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Why Autism Acceptance Night was such a moving and personal event for the Boston Celtics
Continue reading...
TD Garden provided four sensory rooms designed to offer a calm atmosphere for fans who may otherwise want to take a break from the loud noises and other sensory stimuli from the game. These were available throughout the building, and according to the Celtics, team employees were invited to participate in a "Introduction to Sensory Inclusion" training that came with educational resources and the chance to earn a certification.
The evening included several other intimate moments that helped celebrate the autism community, including a special gesture from Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Mazzulla wore a customized pair of sneakers to further promote awareness for individuals living with autism. The shoes feature a rainbow infinity symbol to represent neurodiversity and inclusion. This logo is borrowed from the To the Max Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by former Celtics assistant coach Scott Morrison and his wife Susanne in honor of their son Max, who was diagnosed with autism in 2022. Coaches throughout the NBA are wearing special shoes to support the To the Max Foundation.
For Mazzulla, though, the night hits especially close to home. Max is Mazzulla's godson. He spoke about the sneakers and participating in Autism Acceptance Night after the game
"It's an important cause, Mazzulla said. "I know people in my life whose children have autism, and the impact it can have on children and families. Max is my godson, and so to be able to represent him and help him in any way I can, it's a great opportunity."
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Mazzulla's sneakers are part of a league-wide initiative, but Friday also saw efforts to support the autism community closer to home. The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism worked with the Celtics as part of the night's programming.
Director of marketing at the foundation Liz Monroe told Celtics Wire this was a natural fit, and that advocating for people living with autism extends beyond a single night.
"As an autism nonprofit rooted in Boston history, we are proud to partner with the legendary Celtics for their Autism Acceptance night," Monroe said. "We are passionate about joining forces with partners that elevate the voices and stories of autistic people, and we're grateful to be part of such an impactful month but also ready to buckle down and continue to make an impact in the autism community as Autism Acceptance doesn’t end when April does."
The foundation will continue their advocacy this month by sponsoring the Adaptive Program for Runners at this year's Boston Marathon. This includes supporting 17 runners with autism, many of whom are racing for the very first time, as well as hosting a group of artistic artists at the marathon's Fan Fest prior to Marathon Monday.
The Celtics also elevated autistic voices in their own way on Friday. The nightly "Hero Among Us" award was presented to Newton resident Melissa DeFay, the owner of We Rock the Spectrum, the lone sensory gym in the Greater Boston area that’s open to the public for young people with autism.
The national anthem was also a special moment. Friday's singer was Erik Dunn, who later told Celtics Wire that signing the national anthem on the parquet was a bucket list item.
"As someone that has been living with autism since I was seven years old, just being here in front of an entire sold out crowd was special," Dunn said. "I wanted to tell my story in just a two and a half minute performance. It means more than you know for someone whose dream is to perform, and to serve families and help serve communities."
"If anything tonight was the first night I could say maybe the rest of my life can finally begin. All I wanted to do was give back to families, to get give to kids, and to help my family by making sure they know that their boys going to be okay because he busted his ass and shot for his dream."
Dunn's rendition was slower and more melodic than most, earning thunderous applause by the song's end. He explained why this was a proud moment, and helped underscore why a gesture like hosting Autism Acceptance Night is such a powerful move from the Celtics.
"I'm a military grandson," Dunn said. "I'm an army grandson, and without the heroes and the first responders who we have protecting us, I'm not here."
"All I can do is be me and give back to others and say, without being disrespectful, 'here's the Erik Dun version,' while still keeping it the original, but showing that I'm different. Here's why I'm different."
Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Why Autism Acceptance Night was such a moving and personal event for the Boston Celtics
Continue reading...
