Awesome Autistic Ogden founder Stacy Bernal: Making Ogden a ‘kinder, inclusive place for all’
NEWS
A small crowd gathers at the corner of Washington Boulevard and 25th Street for the inaugural Awesome Autistic Ogden event in 2018 organized by Stacy Bernal (front center left in the pink cap). Photo provided
Stacy Bernal, a member of the Ogden School Board and mother to a son with autism, started a small walk in 2018 to raise awareness for National Autism Acceptance Month. That initial spontaneous effort brought 20 people together, blossoming into the ninth annual Awesome Autism Ogden, a free community celebration happening this Saturday.
Bernal founded AAO because she didn’t see any autism awareness events in Ogden for National Autism Acceptance Month. The following year, she created a larger event that became Awesome Autistic Ogden (AAO).
“Every year I pour so much heart and hard work into this event, and every year I wonder if it's making a difference. My only hope is to try to make Ogden a safer, more welcoming, kinder, inclusive place for all,” Bernal said.
This year’s event will be held at Ogden Dinosaur Park on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome to the celebration, which features vendors, food trucks, and activities throughout the park. Bernal noted that the Dinosaur Park is a great family-friendly setting for a neurodiverse crowd with its dinosaur theme and new adaptive playground.
AAO is sustained by community support. The event has been held at various donated venues over the years, including EnableUtah, The Monarch, and Youth Impact, and Ogden Dinosaur Park. “We've never charged vendors or attendees — this is a labor of love — so having a donated space is what makes this possible,” Bernal said.
Community members and organization representatives are pictured at last year’s Awesome Autistic Ogden event at Ogden Dinosaur Park. Photos provided
In addition to organizing AAO, Bernal has partnered with the Ogden Police Department on autism initiatives and has been recognized twice by the Ogden City Council for her work. This year, the event includes a new opportunity drawing, with all proceeds to benefit Ogden Valley Adaptive. Bernal, who now serves as the community relations director at Ogden Valley Adaptive, incorporated the fundraising element to benefit the nonprofit that helps reduce barriers to recreation for people with disabilities.
Bernal remains focused on the community’s welfare: “But at the end of the day, does a family feel like there is support and resources for them? Do people with autism or a disability feel seen and know that they belong? Do families feel more connected and optimistic about what can be a potentially scary diagnosis?” She hopes Awesome Autistic Ogden reflects the diversity of the city and shows the community that differences are celebrated.
Attendees are encouraged to pre-register here for their free tickets.