Marguerite S. Baber’s son Stephen went to his high school prom last week.
While this is a right of passage for many young men, for Stephen – who was diagnosed with autism at a very early age – it became a milestone of personal success, since in the past many boys like him would have wound up institutionalized for life.
Stephen thrived partly because his mother, Marguerite, refused to accept his future as predestined by a disease. She began to work hard, not only on his behalf, but in behalf of others on the community suffering through the same disorder.
“We’re proud to once again partner with People magazine to recognize another deserving group of people who should be an inspiration to us all.” — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig
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Fortunately for Stephen, the Bayonne School District had programs that were “light years ahead” of other districts, according to Marguerite. But Marguerite wanted more. So in 1995 she helped found the Simpson Baber Foundation to provide educational opportunities for kids and to educate the general public.
The Simpson Baber Foundation provides social and educational opportunities for children with autism. A hallmark of the Simpson Baber Foundation’s efforts is the Busy Bee program, which provides intensive therapies for autistic children who are too young for public special education. It is the first program of its kind in New Jersey.
Since the foundation’s inception, it has funded over $1,500,000 in direct educational, social, and recreational opportunities to the autism community. She also created the Busy Bee program 2002, an early-intervention program. In 2006, the foundation received the Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Award, which “was a major step for us,” Baber said during a phone interview this week. “That award took us on to a whole new level.”
Now the program has a chance to rise to an even newer level, becoming one of three finalists in a program sponsored by People Magazine and Major League Baseball called the “All Stars Among Us” campaign.
Can vote for her for award
Major League Baseball and People Magazine have announced the return of the national “All-Stars Among Us” campaign, which debuted in 2009 to recognize individuals who are serving their communities in extraordinary ways. The nomination period began earlier this year to coincide with Opening Day.
Major League Baseball fans will spend much of the first half of this season deciding the starting position players and final roster spots for the 2010 All Star game, being held on July 13 at Angel Stadium. In what is quickly becoming another tradition, they’ll also decide which 30 everyday heroes should be introduced along with the All-Stars at the start of that midsummer classic.
Thirty everyday All-Stars, one representing each club, will be honored throughout 2010 All-Star Week in Anaheim, Calif., which ends with the pregame ceremony on FOX TV.
Three finalists per club were recently announced, including for the New York Mets. One of the Mets nominees is Marguerite for her work with Simpson Baber.
By going to the web site www.peopleallstars, people can vote to help send the Simpson Baber Foundation to the All Star game this year.
Baber said as with the Roslyn Carter Award, she was stunned by becoming one of three remaining finalists for the New York Mets. She said being singled out at the All Star game will give the foundation the national exposure it needs to help even more people.