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Life isn't always easy at Michala R.'s house.Her little brother, Evan, has autism, a disorder that makes it difficult for him to communicate and control himself.In the past, Evan either wouldn't react when someone spoke his name, or he would get angry.
But things have changed since eight-year-old Evan started getting a new kind of medical treatment.“Evan doesn't behave unreasonably these days,”says Michala, age 12.“Now, if I call his name, he looks at me.He has learned to dress himself, and unlike before, he laughs and plays.”
Doctors wanted to find out whether the treatment that had worked so well for Evan could help other kids, too.When Michala heard her parents saying that the hospital needed $200,000 for autism research, she wanted to help.She started making bracelets(手鐲)with colorful beads(珠子).She sold them for $3 each.
Michala's relatives helped to sell her bracelets.But soon, word of the project spread, and suddenly it seemed as if everyone wanted to buy bracelets.So Michala started handing out sets of supplies so that others could help.Bracelet sales brought in lots of money, and Michala got some big cash donations, too.In just six months, she reached her goal of raising $200,000!The money made it possible for doctors to learn more about the treatment.
Michala appeared on national television to talk about her success, and the governor of Kentucky honored her with an award.Bracelet sales increased quickly.In addition to the first $200,000, Michala has raised $100,000 more.She's now working on a plan to support an autism center in her hometown.It's a big task, but Michala is confident.“If you know you can achieve your goal, then you will,”she says.