By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Crystal Lettinga understands the challenges of taking care of someone with a disability. Since the age of 12, she has helped her twin sister Coral, who has autism, get to class and do other daily tasks.

And while the two graduated from Byron Center High School in 2017 and are now on separate journeys — Crystal is a sophomore at Olivet College and Coral attends a secondary program in Grand Rapids — Lettinga has continued to work toward raising awareness about autism and helping the caregivers receive the love and support they need.

It is one of the reasons she organized Olivet College’s first Walk for Autism Awareness Wednesday, April 3. The walk starts at 5 p.m. from the Olivet College Square. Olivet is about an hour away from the Kentwood and Wyoming communities, located just north of Battle Creek on I-69.

According to Hope Network, one in about 68 children are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is a developmental disorder marked by two unusual kinds of behaviors: deficits in communication and social skills, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls, according to Autism Speaks, and it affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

“I am a Hope Network ambassador and I have participated in the Blue Bridge Walk for Autism (in Grand Rapids) for several years,” Lettinga said. “I saw this as my opportunity to do something for the community, epesically those with autism.”

The walk is open to anyone who wants to participate. The first 400 people will receive a free t-shirts. The walk itself, according to Lettinga is less than a half mile, making it something anyone can do. There also will be family-friendly activities and games, so as to give families a chance to make it an evening out, Lettinga said.

“It is an open environment where people aren’t judged and can just be who they really are,” Lettinga said. “It is also an opportunity for people to socialize with other people who are going through the same thing.”

Lettinga understands firsthand the importance of not only the person with autism to have people to connect with, but that the caregiver has that same opportunity. At the age of 12, Lettinga’s father suddenly died and she found herself a lead caretaker for her sister Coral, who is non-verbal. 

“It is difficult to have a conversation with Coral, but through the years, I have learned how to communicate with her,” she said. She escorted her to class everyday from about fifth-grade to when they graduated from high school.

“I remember when she was first diagnosed and we had to drive to Detroit because there were no autism centers in the Grand Rapids area or West Michigan,” Lettinga said.

A center offers structured educational programs and tailored therapy which have shown to help children with autism. The discovery that the only available autism center was on the east side of the state lead to the Lettinga family to be advocates and help establish the Hope Network Center for Autism on the Coral Lettinga Campus about eight years ago. Two years ago, the Hope Network Center for Autism in Holland was established with Lettinga adding the hope is to establish another in the Lansing area.

“It is so important for people with autism to learn social skills, living skills and just the basic necessities of life,” she said. 

After high school, the family realized the two sisters would be taking different paths. Coral now attends a secondary program in Grand Rapids while Lettinga studies journalism and mass communications at Olivet College. 

Lettinga said the journey has not been easy, but she would not change it as it has given her the opportunity to help raise the awareness about autism to others. 

“I know would not have had some of the opportunities I have had from helping to open the autism centers to speaking with former Lt. Governor Brian Calley about autism,” she said.

She also does not see herself slowing down from her role as an autism advocate, stating that no matter where she goes in life, she will continue her work in helping people better understand what it is and how it impacts not only the person who has autism, but those round them.