My sister and I are very close. Ever since we were little girls we would imagine being a "grown-up".   Just as most little girls do, we would talk about what we would look like, what our kids would look like, and most importantly, what our husbands would look like. (mine looked like Fonzie)

Many years later my sister and I became pregnant at the exact same time. I was just as excited that I was going to be an aunt as I was a mother.  I can remember thinking "I am going to be the BEST AUNT EVER!”  I immediately started calling myself Favorite Auntie Krys, and I knew I would have to live up to the title!

 Nine months later I had a little girl and my sister had a boy.  Around the age of 2 her little boy was diagnosed with autism.  As Favorite Auntie Krys, I knew I had to find out more.  What is this autism? So I began to read, and read, and read.

Well, my sister lives in Canada. I live in Texas. We didn't end up living in attached town homes or married to twin brothers.  Bummer.   However, it is still my mission to become Favorite Auntie Krys.              

I began Cooper’s Troopers to raise money for Autism Speaks. I’m very fortunate that God has given me a powerful voice and the ability to speak to people with conviction.  So I use this gift to raise awareness for autism, I use this gift to share with the 200+ students I teach each year about autism.  I also passionately try to instill in my students that whether it is autism, the environment, homelessness or any other cause that they need to do SOMETHING!   Last year just by placing a piggy bank in my classroom my students donated almost $500.  And 15 of them signed up to walk with me at the Walk Now for Autism. I am spreading the word every where I go.

 There needs to be more information available. So I am putting the information out there. Yes, my sister lives thousands of miles away in a different country. But that is NO EXCUSE for me not to be busting my tail here in Texas.

Every year I participate in the Houston Walk Now for Autism. This year I am the chariperson of the Volunteer Recruitment Commitee. Someone asked me "why do you walk?" this was my reply,   I walk for my sister. I walk for every difficult moment she has had as a mother. I walk in thankfulness for the difficult moments that I haven’t had.  I walk because my heart aches so strongly for her.  I walk because I cannot hold her hand through the melt downs. I walk because I can.  After all, I am Favorite Auntie Krys.