When the young brother of Cathedral High School Junior Zack Gonzalez was diagnosed with autism, Zack and his family struggled to understand the diagnosis. As he learned more about the condition, Zack became involved in fundraising activities and in the summer of 2006, participated in the summer Walk Now for Autism event.

The experience only whetted Zack’s desire to participate more actively in finding a cure for autism. He contacted the Los Angeles Dodgers Public Relations Department for support in organizing a baseball game for autistic kids, who are often excluded from organized sports because of their disability. In March 2009, Play Now for Autism with the Dodgers was held at Elysian Park, raising over $2000 for autism research. While organizing the event, Zack met Amalia Star, who had written a book about raising her autistic son. With her encouragement, Zack began penning his brother’s story over the summer, producing a 200-page book titled Saving Deets. Trafford Publishing, an on-line firm, took on the manuscript. The book can be seen on-line at http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000137233.

Eventually, Zack Gonzalez hopes to start a non-profit organization to assist families of autistic children with medical and dietary expenses. Always the activist, Zack has already begun working toward that end by continuing his writing--a second book recounting the recovery strategies used for his brother is already being drafted --and starting an organic clothing label to raise autism awareness.

For the complete story, follow this link to the original article, “Author,” posted on the The Purple Newsletter, Cathedral High School’s on-line publication
http://cathedralhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/General+Info/Purple+Letter