Jul 21, 2008 - 10:00 AM

By Brian McNair

WHITBY -- With Terry Robinson by his side, Jonathan Howard should know full well dreams can come true.

Mr. Howard, a 24-year-old Mississauga native who's running his way across Canada to raise funds and awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorders, went through Durham Region late last week with Robinson tagging along in his electric wheelchair.

Mr. Robinson, who has been to the Paralympic Games twice, joined Howard when his "Run the Dream" campaign came to Ontario and he'll stay with him until it reaches Winnipeg.

"As a person with a disability, I know firsthand how important it is to have the support and the services available in order to reach those goals you want," Mr. Robinson, who has cerebral palsy, said during a brief stop in Whitby Friday. "I've been successful and I know by doing this, children with autism will achieve their goals and whatever their dreams are. The sky's the limit as to what we can achieve."

Mr. Howard has long had a dream to run from coast to coast but he didn't want to make it simply about himself. In ASD, he's found a cause in desperate need of both public understanding and money for services and support.

"When I started, I didn't realize just how much autism is in the communities," said Howard, noting it affects about one in 165 Canadians. "Part of Run the Dream is to create awareness and strengthen those networks to bring people together so we can uncover the puzzle and put the pieces together."

The two were greeted Friday by dignitaries from all levels of government, including Oshawa MP Colin Carrie, who had a personal reason for being there as well. He has a son with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism.

"I'm here today really as a thank you," Mr. Carrie told a small gathering at the Whitby Library Celebration Square. "A thank you to Jonathan for his commitment, for not only these kids but their families. To raise awareness, there's so much to be done for these kids. My son his a wonderful musician, a wonderful magician and without having the correct diagnosis and treatment, these kids can be lost."

ASD is the most common neurological disorder affecting children and usually appears during the first three years of life, according to information on Howard's website, www.runthedream.ca. People with ASDs have varying degrees of difficulty in social interaction and communication and may show repetitive behaviours and have unusual attachments to objects or routines.

Mr. Howard's goal is to raise $2.5-million during his journey, which began on a chilly day in St. John's, NF., on March 25 and will cover approximately 8,500 kilometres by the time it reaches Victoria in December.

On Thursday, he will make his way through his hometown of Mississauga before continuing west.

"It's a surreal feeling thinking that you start in St. John's and you're going to be running through your hometown by foot," said Mr. Howard, who has already gone through six pairs of shoes.

"It's just been like the weather. It's getting warmer," he added of the hype surrounding the run. "The receptions have been getting warmer and it's been fantastic."

Mr. Robinson, who won a bronze medal in electric wheelchair slalom at the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, said he was honoured to be part of it.

"When Jonathan mentioned he wanted to do this for autism, I just knew that I had to be part of it," said Mr. Howard, a 38-year-old from Dryden, Ont. "I was looking for a great challenge and this was it. It's a great opportunity."