Albert Rex
Ethan’s Father
Team Crossroads
For the fifth year in a row, Albert Rex will snap into his bike for the 100-mile journey from Boston, MA to Newport, RI as a participant in the New England Ride. Rex, a member of the New England Chapter Board of Autism Speaks and Chairman of the Crossroads Board of Trustees, participates for his son Ethan, who will need lifelong support.
“Ethan has made amazing strides at Crossroads. This year, they are working on healthy living issues – he has dropped 30 pounds from his 6’2” frame and is now down to 240 pounds. As you can imagine, my greatest fear is for his future when me or his mom are not here – so the work that Crossroads does to help him become independent is of critical importance,” Rex shared in an email to donors.
Crossroads provides individualized comprehensive education and related services to students with autism in order to enhance the quality of life and independent functioning so they may achieve their full potential. Ethan, receives Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Adapted Physical Education, and is also enrolled in Crossroads’ Home Services Program.
“Ethan just turned 17 this year and his mom and I have been thinking about the next stages in his life. As we start planning for what’s next, it is so clear to us how important Crossroads will be over the next five years as he transitions out of high school. Staff has already begun to help us start planning for the future and it is comforting to a parent to have that level of support,” Rex said.
“I am very excited about this year’s ride and the great participation we are getting from our Crossroads Community. Every year is critical in our students’ lives, but this year there is additional motivation as we work to raise the funds for our new campus project. Bike to the Beach is a terrific partner and has allowed us to really begin fundraising with a purpose. I think if you ask anyone from our community who they are riding for, they will say all of our students. The school is a really special place and the effort we put in to ride a 100 miles is minimal to the effort our staff and students put in every day,” Rex said.