There's a "Brand New Day" on the Horizon

For four Inland Empire families of children with autism, Saturday, April 25 will be a new day - it's the day the families will each receive the inaugural Ethan Walden's Hope for the Future Grant to help provide their children with specialized medical care. Hosted by Walden Family Ministries' Gina and Brian Walden, the introductory A Brand New Day Gala will be the first annual gala to allow parents and families of special needs children to attend a formal night out they wouldn't normally have and will also raise money to offer the support some of the families need. It was created out of the Walden family's desire to help bring financial support to other families and continue what Gina Walden described as God's grace. Managing a Facebook support page for mothers of autistic children totaling around 21,000 members, Walden said she often heard stories of families who couldn't afford the medical care their children needed. "It hurt me to see some of these families' struggles, because I felt I had some answers," said Walden, whose son Ethan, 10, was diagnosed with autism when he was 2-and-a-half. "I could tell them where to go and what to try, but they would tell me, 'We just don't have the money.'" Now 10 years old, Ethan's progress has become something of an inspiration to families with autistic children worldwide. Doctors warned the Waldens that Ethan may never function the way other kids do or see a regular education classroom, but that didn't deter them. "We held onto our faith," said Walden. "We asked God what to do and we knew that anything is possible." By age 5, Ethan was in a regular education classroom and quickly excelled. He was verbal, and in third grade was named the Young Scholar of California. His story has gone all over the world, translated into 172 languages. It was his incredible progress, shared Walden, that sparked the family's desire to help others. "I asked God, if He could help me then I would help others. I would help everyone, and that's the vision we have for this. We want to make sure we set others up for the same success and inspire people to have faith, try new things and remember that anything is possible." This year's inaugural grant awardees are the the Gutierrez, Center, Rogers and Catalano families. For Jacob Gutierrez, 13, and his family, the grant is a blessing, said mother Jaelyn. The family will use the grant to visit an autism specialist in Irvine with the goal of helping Jacob become verbal once more. "We want our son to progress more so he can go on to lead a regular life, and be independent," said Gutierrez. "At 13, the whole time I've known my son, I've been trying to help him speak. It's a grim diagnosis for parents, but Gina and her husband have given me a lot of hope. We don't want to leave any stones unturned. It's never too late to help your children." The Catalano family are looking forward to using their grant money to work with an autism specialist, as well, explained Chetay Catalano. Her son Joey, 16, was diagnosed with a form of high-functioning autism around 6 years old. "It's a journey I never planned on but I love my tour guide," she said. "Joey has taught me and our whole family so much. I look at life a lot more differently. We were so blessed to have this opportunity." "For me, it was enough to have the encouragement of (the Waldens)," said Rachel Center, the mother of 5-year-old Zethaniah, whom her family adopted from Ukraine in 2011, "and to see that your child can heal and have hope. That's already made a big difference." Zethaniah exhibits some symptoms of autism, including sensory deprivation, explained Rachel, while also receiving treatment for a limb loss, but the family retains strong hope that their son, like Ethan Walden, will recover. "This is so humbling. We know there are so many other families who are also in need. With the ministry the Walden family...is doing, I know they are touching so many lives. Not just ours," said Center. Diane Rogers and her family will use their grant to cover special health care not covered by insurance, she explained. Her son, Ryden, who turns 3 on April 23, will be able to continue therapy and visit with autism specialists. "This grant will really, really help us," said Rogers, who also showed excitement for a night out. "I like to get fancy," she chuckled, "and my husband likes to dress up. It will be a nice time." The gala will include a sit-down dinner, live entertainment and dancing, a silent auction and more. It will be held Saturday, April 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Arrowhead Country Club, 3433 Parkside Dr., San Bernardino. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at http://abrandnewdaygala.eventbrite.com. There are also opportunities for table sponsorships or for those who would like to donate tickets to help parents attend. Please contact Michelle Henderson at 310-927-4408 for sponsorship and donation information.