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Group raises awareness about autism with photo outside Science Museum

Posted at 12:05 AM, Apr 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-30 00:05:15-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- "Light It Up Blue" is an effort to raise awareness about autism, a disorder that affects so many families in Central Virginia.

Friday night, a group, including 11-year-old JP Mines and his mother, Pam, gathered outside the Science Museum of Virginia to take a special photo.

Mines is the President and Founder of JP JumPers  Foundation, which was instrumental in getting the general assembly to adopt  "JP's Law."

The regulation allows a special designation on drivers licenses and IDs, so when a police officer stops someone they know  made aware that the person they're interacting with has autism.

Most of the group was dressed in blue and they also released balloons into the sky.

"We just wanted to celebrate my son JP who has autism, and everyone who has autism, and just let them know that we're out loud, we're out front, and we're out of control with our advocacy,” Mines said.

Felicia Morris, who is a JP JumPers board member, said the event offers support and a sense of belonging for families.

"Being able to coordinate makes everything really nice and knowing everything is there for the same cause,” Morris said.

The Science Museum of Virginia not only offered their front lawn to host the event, but they lit up the historic  building in blue, which they've done every night this month for autism awareness.

This was the second year for the event.

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