Here is a photo of PACT’s team for this year’s NFAR Race for Autism!

In our team captain, Katie Anderson’s own words:

Farzin Fallah climbed Cho-Oyu in early Fall of 2016.  Cho-Oyu is the 6th highest mountain in the world and stands at 8,201 m (26,906 ft.) in elevation. It is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, a short distance from Mt. Everest.

Farzin has a son with Asperger’s Syndrome, and decided to turn his love for climbing into a fundraising project.  Farzin Fallah’s goal was to raise awareness and funds to help fund San Diego based nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to helping individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop technical and social skills to gain the employment and become independent, contributing members of society. Farzin’s wife, Leesa, joined the fundraising efforts and was essential to its success.

PACT was fortunate to receive some of the funds raised through this project. On January 21, 2016, Farzin’s son, Matthew, who participates in PACT programs, presented Kathryn Campion, PACT Founding Director, with a check for $2,064.

Thank you Farzin, Leesa, and Matthew!

You can learn more about Farzin’s climb on their website:  climbingforautism.org.

Mountaineer and dad Farzin Fallah will be facing one of the biggest challenges of his life in just a few weeks. He will embark on a climbing expedition in Nepal starting August 30 to raise funds for autism organizations, including PACT.  As many of you know, Farzin’s son Matthew is a long-time participant in our theatre and performing arts workshops. We are honored and grateful to Farzin for turning his climb of Cho-Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain, into a challenge that will benefit many in the autism community, including our own theatre participants.

While summer is a time when many people step back and relax with vacations or trips to the beach, both Farzin and his son Matthew have made the most of their summer working toward their goals. In July, while Matthew participated in a pre-college program in Seattle, Farzin used the opportunity to climb two of Washington’s magnificent mountains that were within driving distance of Seattle, where the family was staying. They were Mount Si and Colchuck Peak. With the challenge of climbing Nepal’s Cho-Oyu rapidly approaching, Farzin welcomed the opportunity to continue preparing in Washington for the climb.

To read Farzin’s account of his most recent climbs in Washington State and see more pictures of the breathtaking scenery they offered, visit his blog at climbingforautism.org.
 
And if you haven’t already done so, please consider making a contribution to this very worthwhile endeavor.  Donations can be made through a link to the National Association for Autism Research (NFAR) which you’ll find on Farzin’s website:  Climbing for Autism. 

We wish Farzin all the best in his climbing expedition in Nepal! You’ll find updates and photos of Farzin’s amazing  journey and his summiting of Cho-Oyu on his websites’s blog as well. 

Most parents of children with Autism will go to any heights to help them reach their full potential. Farzin Fallah will be doing that literally when he sets out to climb Cho-Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain located on the border of Nepal and Tibet on August 30. 

Farzin is the father of a teen who has been participating in our theatre workshops for about two years.  An avid climber and mountaineer, Farzin is combining his dedication to helping his son with Asperger’s with his love for climbing in a fundraising project that he started called Climbing for Autism.  

Funds raised will support programs that serve those with autism in our area. All funds will go to the National Foundation for Autism (NFAR) and then be distributed to local non-profits.  PACT will receive 10% of all funds raised on this climb.

You can donate to the project through the National Foundation for Autism.  Check out the Climbing for Autism website to learn more about the project. Your can also read Farzin’s blog posts on our site to learn how he has been preparing  for this extraordinary challenge.

Kathryn Campion
Co-Founder/Executive Director
Positive Action Community Theatre (PACT)
PACT is a 501(c) non-profit organization.