VIDEO: April is National Autism Awareness Month.
It's a month when a Wake Forest family reflects on their 19 years of watching their son struggle with autism. A struggle that ended tragically when he took his life. They've now dedicated their lives to making sure no children with autism have to face the adversity their son faced.
"My youngest son Kyle was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 back in 2001," Wake Forest Fire Chief Ron Early told ABC11.
At Early's fire department, they are wearing and selling Autism Awareness Month T-shirts designed by Early's wife and Fire Capt. Justin Brown.
Proceeds will go to support autism awareness according to the chief, who said the T-shirt is, "a shirt that the community can wear and buy from us so that maybe they can spread the same word throughout the community."
Early said he's pleased with the response so far.