Mom with Asperger wins national award for success, strength

Fisher’s Landing — Karen Krejcha of east Vancouver lived more than 40 years before being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. The diagnosis came after her two sons were both diagnosed with Asperger and autism. Now, Krejcha has won the 2012 Distinguished Spectrumite Medal from the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership. The award is presented to adults on the autism spectrum who have shown talent, competency, emotional strength and accountability. This year a parenting component was added. Karen and her husband, John, went to New York City to accept the award. Last year the couple founded Autism Empowerment, a nonprofit agency. Learn more at http://autismempowerment.org.