Tributes - memories of hope

Valentino Tugman

My grandson Valentino (or 'Duke' as he was known within the family), had autism and sadly he died in September 2008. I have cared for him throughout his life and was his next of kin. At the time of his death, I read an article about the new Brain Bank for Autism in the National Autistic Society’s Communication magazine and I decided to donate Duke’s brain for research into the causes of autism. When a loved one dies, it is the worst time to try to make decisions but this has proved to be my one positive way forward after his death.  For me, he shone as a lovely cherished human being and I have been devastated to lose him. But I believe that my donation, and the others which are made, will provide hope that in future years there will be a much better understanding of autism and of children like Duke.

Emily Adams

Ragan Baker

Ragan Baker 1986-2004. She always wanted to help end autism. Now she can. You can too by registering as a donor with the Brain Bank for Autism.

Clay Bassett

Clay Bassett died tragically and unexpectedly at age 14 and his parents did something they never imagined they would do: they donated their son's brain to a tissue bank and became key players in the emerging field of brain research.  "I donated his brain because I wanted something to come out of this horrible experience of having my son die in my arms," said his father, Marshall Bassett. "I hope that in five years I get a call from somebody who says we've made some breakthroughs and Clay's brain tissue was instrumental. That would be good. If the study of his brain helps spare parents and children what I and others have gone through, that would be a wonderful thing."

Extract from a tribute written by Jim Mulvaney, who headed a team of reporters at the Orange County Register and won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative reporting. A former foreign war correspondent, Jim now lives with his wife, the author Barbara Fischkin. They have two sons, Danny, who is autistic, and Jack.

Alice Powell

Alice, who died aged 13, had a rare chromosomal disorder and autism.

During her short life her parents always tried, in whatever way they could, to help her and other children like her have as good a quality of life as possible.

Although they lost their beloved Alice, they found some consolation in being able to help others by donating brain tissue to further research into autism”

Reid Thompson

Reid Thompson, an 11 year old boy, passed away suddenly in his sleep in August, 2007. Many in his community knew Reid and have many special memories. He will be very missed by many, and will not be forgotten. The cause of his death is unknown as the autopsy results were all normal (with the exception of his brain being slightly heavier than normal which is typical with persons with autism).
Although the medical experts cannot provide a definitive cause of death, they hypothesize that Reid’s death could have been due to a massive seizure.