Autism Matters

Mother and Sons Working Together to Change Lives

May 8, 2012
By Autism Society

Beth Gross is Vice President of the Autism Society of West Virginia and has been working with Autism Society members in her state to ensure families affected by autism have the insurance coverage they need.

Beth’s family has been particularly active - so much that her son Mason has become a mini celebrity at the Statehouse! At the tender age of 6, he has learned to advocate for himself in a way none of us ever could, Beth said. Mason has developed a touching and humorous rapport with most state legislators and was fortunate enough to have a private meeting with West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in his private office this year.

“I am awestruck by the presence his young spirit carries and how he can so effortlessly chisel away at the exterior of the most hardened politicians,” Beth said of Mason.

Here are some photos of their journey:

With the governor

Beth, Mason and Beth's other son, Ethan, with Governor Earl Ray Tomblin