Kelly Petersen, a resident of Fresno, California, cherishes the memory of her son, Drew, in every aspect of her life. One poignant tribute to her son is a quilt made from Drew’s favorite T-shirts, a tangible reminder of his presence and the things he held dear.

A Mother’s Tribute: From T-Shirts to Memories

His favorite one, this is from his first Inclusion Walk and so you see other years of Inclusion Walks. This was from last year’s. This one is his favorite Pieology, shared Kelly Petersen, Drew’s mother, reflecting on the significance of each shirt. For Kelly, these items evoke cherished memories of Drew and serve as a testament to the things that brought him joy.

Drew, known for his infectious smile and trademark thumbs up greeting, left a lasting impact on those around him. Despite facing challenges associated with autism and Tourette’s syndrome, Drew approached life with unwavering positivity. As an adult, Drew was Mr. Positivity and so everywhere he went he was like, ‘Who-hoo’ and elbow five, Petersen fondly recalled.

Early Signs and Educational Journey

Kelly Petersen noticed signs of Drew’s unique abilities from a young age, including a remarkable moment when he spelled out the word Ford with his NEWS.ORG blocks, despite not yet speaking. At the age of three, Drew was diagnosed with autism and Tourette’s, leading Petersen on a journey to find the best educational resources for her son within the Clovis Unified School District.

Her dedication to Drew’s education ultimately led her to become an educator herself, specializing in Autism Inclusion at Bullard High School in Fresno, where she has served for 18 years.

Empowering Others: Drew’s Legacy Lives On

Drew’s desire to empower individuals with developmental delays to pursue meaningful employment inspired his involvement with Project Search, an organization dedicated to mentoring and coaching individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Through Project Search, Drew secured a position at Pieology in Fig Garden Village, where he worked for four years. His confidence and skills blossomed, as showcased in a promotional video for Best Buddies International, highlighting Project Search’s success stories.

Remembering Drew: The Friendship Walk

Drew’s impact extended beyond the workplace, as he participated in various Friendship Walks, raising funds and awareness for individuals with intellectual disabilities. In honor of Drew’s memory, the Fresno Friendship Walk will return to Bullard High School, anticipating a crowd of 50,000 people.

It’s super important for the Fresno community to have that kind of walk, expressed Petersen. It is a place where neurotypical people and individuals with disabilities can get together, and we can say our community is a place where people can grow together and we can acknowledge and celebrate just people as individuals and who they are.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Love and Inclusion

Kelly Petersen’s dedication to honoring her son’s memory and advocating for inclusion serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on a community. Through her work and Drew’s legacy, they continue to inspire others to embrace diversity and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual.

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