‘Bird in Motion’ starts journey for autism awareness

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

One man and his bird will be travelling from Calgary to Newfoundland by walking and using ride-share services, while documenting his journey on social media in hopes of raising interest and money for autism awareness and programs for youth.
James Walker and his 10-year-old Brazilian caique (a species of parrot) companion, Gadget, will depart on their Bird in Motion autism awareness walk on June 1.
Walker suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident when he was 19, and more recently has suffered with depression and anxiety. He has spent his life seeking treatments and taking medications to curb the effects of his injury. That was until he met Gadget a little over a year ago. Now registered as an emotional support animal, Gadget has not only helped Walker get off all medications, but he will be travelling across Canada on Walker’s shoulder to try and help other people as well.
“I met Gadget and we’ve been inseparable ever since; he goes everywhere with me,” said Walker, who added the two often attend festivals, events and fundraisers to meet new people and offer them emotional support as well.
Although Gadget has been backpacking before, this will be the longest trek the little bird will have ever taken, and the duo are both looking forward to it.
Walker, whose 10-year-old son is on the autism spectrum, moved from Alberta to Newfoundland last year, a move Walker said benefits his son except there is not as much help available to families with children with autism. The separation from his son is the main reason Walker got Gadget, to help support him emotionally with the change.
Inspired by Rick Hansen, who he met years ago, Walker decided to complete his journey across Canada with the help of Gadget, to raise funds for a cause he deeply believes in after a car accident severed his spinal cord, B.C.’s Rick Hansen completed his Man in Motion World Tour between 1985 and 1987 to raise awareness about the potential of people with disabilities, creating accessible and inclusive communities, and finding a cure for spinal cord injuries).
Walker has teamed up with the Autism Society, Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) as a third-party fundraiser – the monies raised from his walk will help support families with autistic children.
“Going across Canada there needs to be more awareness that autism is on the rise. The spectrum is so vast that you have mild, moderate and severe cases … people need to understand that as we move forward there’s more autistic children being integrated into public schools and there needs to be more help and awareness for them. I just want to help do that along the way and raise some funds for that,” said Walker, whose son was homeschooled before benefiting from a year in a specialized school for autistic children. He hopes to see more accessible specialized schools for autism across Canada.
Walker hopes by documenting his journey on both Facebook and Instagram, word will spread about the walk and more people will be able to follow his and Gadget’s travels. (Follow Bird in Motion’s journey on Facebook by adding Gadget Walker as a friend, or by following #GadgetWalker on Instagram.)
The walk to Newfoundland starting on June 1 will take approximately a month. Once in Newfoundland, Walker and Gadget plan on staying for a couple of months, attending events and hosting fundraisers for the ASNL, before spending another month taking the long road home to raise more funds.
“I will be visiting my son while I’m there as well and I want my son to see that if you put your mind to something then you can accomplish anything you want,” said Walker.
Walker and Gadget have a goal of raising $50,000 for the society. Donations can be made directly on the ASNL website, via a link on Gadget’s Facebook and Instagram pages, via debit or credit card with square pay, or by personal e-transfer donation to gadgetandjames@hotmail.com. A portion of the funds received through the personal donation method will go towards food, expenses and creating shirts, hoodies and hats to raffle off or for people to purchase. Donation receipts can be issued for donations over $50 for the personal donation method.
Once Walker and Gadget reach Newfoundland, they will be making a large personal donation themselves of what they are saving from not flying, and from the funds raised via the personal donations.
A meet and greet event will be held on June 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Kinsmen Park to kick off the duo’s journey. There, you can talk to Walker about the fundraiser, make donations, take pictures with Gadget and make Bird in Motion apparel orders. They will then be heading down the road to Medicine Hat for their next stop.
“I just think the importance is that people need to be more aware of children with autism and help them; there is a saying – ‘ready, willing and able to do something’ – and that’s what I’m trying to get out there, I’m ready, willing and able,” said Walker as Gadget chirped in agreement.