By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
All five Barton County Commissioners wore blue in front of a standing-room-only crowd to open Wednesday's meeting. Three proclamations were signed, including that April is World Autism Acceptance Month. Ros Neeland, representing the Pilot Club, shared the story of Kanye Cross and the support he has received in Hoisington.
"Kudos to the town of Hoisington," she said. "I don't know how they did this for all these years. He was never bullied. Everybody loves him, that's all I can say. It was part him but part that town. Kudos to the businesses that have made him a part of this community he loves so much and the school system. They've done some really great things."
Reading from a statement prepared by Kanye's mother, Amy Haxton, Neeland told the crowd about Kanye's early battles with Autism. Amy was afraid to take him out in public, worried about a meltdown. Most of the time, she was right. Within months of moving to Hoisington, the Haxtons were one of the first 25 families in Kansas to receive a grant through the Kansas Autism Waiver Program.
"Having no Autism professionals in western Kansas, we had to choose someone in Topeka to handle Kanye's case, then we had to choose someone to handle him in Barton County, be trained in ABA, and work with him 25 hours a week," Neeland read. "His para at Helping Hands Preschool, Laura, became a godsend."
After five years, Kanye transitioned to an Intellectual Development Disability Waiver so he could be around his peers more. The Hoisington community has always accepted him.
"To say we have been blown away by the support of that town is an understatement," read Neeland. "With Kanye's infectious personality, he has grown to love everyone he comes in contact with."
Kanye's legend continues to grow. Elementary school students give him high-fives at the swimming pool. Every Tuesday and Saturday, he can be found at the Dairy Queen, enjoying a Sierra Mist and a basket of fries. Staff helps him count his money, or perhaps even sneaks him some freebies. The son of a coach, Kanye spent a lot of time at games participating in crowd chants and learning the school fight song. He became an unofficial member of the Hoisington High School cheer squad as a freshman, then earned an official spot as a sophomore. Now, he's loved by HHS students and their competitors. This fall, he was voted Homecoming king.
April 2 was recognized as World Autism Acceptance Day. Wednesday's proclamation calls for knowledge and acceptance of Autism as it allows people to understand how to be more inclusive and build better, more supportive experiences.