DETROIT -- Sunday will be a very special day at Comerica Park for a special group of people.
The Tigers will host their eighth annual Autism Awareness Day, welcoming 500 children and adults with autism, along with their families.
Tigers radio analyst Jim Price, who started Jack's Place for Autism Foundation along with his wife, Lisa, because their son Jackson has autism, said such a day is huge for these families.
"It means a lot because, first of all, financially, it's very difficult for families because it's so expensive to get special care and special schooling and so forth, so that in itself is very difficult," Price said. "I'll bet you a large percentage wouldn't be able to get to a ballgame.
"To be able to come on a Sunday afternoon is special because at nighttime, it would be very difficult for them to come."
Price expressed how grateful he is to the entire Tigers organization for their support throughout the years. They've hosted more than 4,000 people with autism and their families in the last eight years.
"The Tigers have donated so many tickets, there's over 500 coming on a Sunday afternoon," Price said. "The way the team is selling out, to get that many tickets on a Sunday afternoon for kids and families that wouldn't normally get to see a game, that's pretty special."
Autism has been in the news a lot recently, as the incidence has grown, now affecting one in 88 children, with boys affected at five times the rate of girls. Autism Spectrum Disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability.
"Nobody really knows why and there's no cure," Price said. "People that have kids that have autism, they're not going to reconnect the dots anymore. They can't do that.
"So I think the early intervention has been great. Now they've got the insurance program put through the state of Michigan, which is great for people. There's so many great things going on. There's so much more to do."
Price knows first-hand the difficulties families who live with autism face. Jackson just turned 17 and is doing well, but the disease can be very trying.
"Every day they go through different stages," Price said. "He's at a stage now that he doesn't use his voice.
"A lot of the parents out there would know what I'm talking about because they go through different stages and you just have to work with them."
Jack's Place has been helping families with autism for many years, especially those with limited resources.
"My wife and I created the foundation and raised tons of money and created programs and hired the people and put kids and grown-ups through so many programs, not just sports but arts and so forth, you name it," Price said. "We continue to dole out the scholarships and so many things for kids.
"My wife is the genius behind it, not me. She's the one that really does everything. It's just amazing what goes on and we're going to keep fighting the fight."
For more information, visit www.jacksplaceforautism.com
