The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Danny Tateo

Byram Hills Senior Raises Awareness of Autism

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Elena, Morgan, Reese and Danny PHOTO by Cathy Pinsky

While many high school seniors were swamped with college applications this past fall, Byram Hills Senior Reese Tateo was no exception but she was also busy organizing the first-ever Armonk for Autism 5K race in downtown Armonk.  Tateo organized the event along with her parents, Elena and Danny Tateo. Spurred by their love for Reese’s younger brother, Morgan, who has autism, the Tateos hoped to raise autism awareness in the community and raise money for the Byram Hills Special Education Department.

Support from Family and Friends

Despite it being a rainy day, about 130 people came to show their support on October 27, 2019 and the Tateos raised over $11,000. Although some registrants stayed home due to the weather, it was still a healthy turnout for their inaugural event.

“In the end, I think the rain added to it because everyone who came was there because they really wanted to support us and not because they were going out for a nice run in great weather,” reflects mom Elena Tateo.

The entire event was full of touching moments. Friends and family pitched in wherever they could, whether unloading bananas or giving out t-shirts. The Tateos met other families with autistic children and people outside of Armonk who have children with autism thanked them via email or donated five dollars to show support. They were delighted to see so many members of the community including Morgan’s classmates, his teacher, his Occupational Therapist, the Byram Hills Director of Special Services Jill Boynton, the Byram Hills Athletic Director Rob Castagna, and the high school football team.

Local businesses such as Hickory & Tweed, Mt. Kisco Seafood, Tazza, and Breezemont Day Camp also offered their support by sponsoring the race. Additional sponsors were featured on their website at armonkforautism.org. Also, a multitude of volunteers donors, plus the town made the race possible.

One of the most memorable moments came at the very end. It was raining hard, water was dripping through the tent, people were clearing out, and Elena was announcing the winners, trying to read their names off a wet paper. Suddenly, they heard there was still a runner out on the road. It was a teenage girl with autism running with her father and brother. The Tateos corralled everyone back to the finish line and everyone enthusiastically obliged. “Everyone was cheering for her in the pouring rain,” recalls Reese. “It was amazing. I just viewed that as a symbol of what we were there for. We got everyone to come back and cheer and she was so happy.”

Miguel, Diego, Miguel Heredia (their dad) and Danny Tateo

An Idea Blossoms into Tangible Results

Reese’s idea to organize a run came to her after watching her father, an avid runner, participate in many races over the years.

“I noticed how many people would run for a cause so I thought it would be great to do it for autism,” Reese says. Danny Tateo has run to support other causes in the past in addition to wearing a shirt at some races with a picture of Morgan that says “I run for my son.”

To tackle the logistics of planning a race, the Tateos sought advice from the organizers of the annual Stayin’ Alive 5K which supports the First Responders of Northern Westchester, and the organizers of Jamie’s 5k Run for Love, in memory of Jamie Love and benefitting the Friends of the North Castle Library.

Reese and her dad chose the course. “We drove with a GPS watch and went on so many different courses planning 3.1 miles,” says Reese.

After consulting with Superintendent Jen Lamia, HC Crittenden Principal Kim Lapple, and Director of Special Services Jill Boynton, the Tateos donated the money towards a kitchenette for the special needs students at the middle school and a greenhouse at the high school. The Tateos were excited to provide something tangible that can help foster independence for Morgan and others like him. The kitchenette is useful in teaching daily life skills and the greenhouse allows the students to learn agricultural skills, job skills, and marketing by growing plants and selling them.

Jefff, Adin and Nathan Bernstein

Living with Autism

April is World Autism Month and several communities are having wear blue campaigns or are lighting up town monuments blue to raise awareness of autism. The CDC defines autism as a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. The CDC found in 2018 that approximately 1 in 59 children in the US is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Living with a brother with autism has given Reese a special perspective. Morgan was diagnosed at a very young age so Reese never really knew a brother without autism. “I just grew up with autism. People ask me if it’s weird but I know no differently,” explains Reese. “I would watch him a lot while my parents were at work and couldn’t go to many after-school activities because I had to come home and look after him. That was different than a lot of people’s lives but he’s my brother and I love him.”

“She’s the best big sister you can ask for,” says Elena. “Morgan is smart and has a funny sense of humor. His biggest challenges are language and communication. We were excited about doing the race in our community because Morgan has become more integrated in the middle school than he was in the lower schools and we’ve noticed his peers be so accepting of him, which is amazing. He does track at school and even participated in the 1.5 mile loop at the race.”

Reese passionately reminds us, “if you see a kid that’s not socially outgoing or looks uncomfortable, reach out and be nice to them and don’t look down on them for not knowing how to act or speak.”

“It’s important for parents to always strongly advocate for their children and it’s an ongoing life-long process,” says Elena. “Parents need to network, educate themselves about what their children need, and think about planning for the future early on. We also have to remember to be inclusive, be kind, and recognize that everyone counts. I love Temple Grandin’s quote about being “different, not less.” I think that is how our society should consider all people, with or without a disability.”

Reese and her dad have already started planning for next year’s race. “We have to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves,” says Danny.

For more information, visit www.armonkforautism.org or for race-specific questions email reesetateto@armonkforautism.org.

Photos courtesy of Elena Tateo
Ali, a classmate and Morgan

Meet the New York Runner of the Year: Armonk’s Danny Tateo

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Danny Tateo (center) receiving New York Runner of the Year Award with wife, Elena (right), by his side.
Danny Tateo (center) receiving New York Runner of the Year Award with wife, Elena (right), by his side.

By Miriam Longobardi

To be an elite, award-winning runner, one may think it takes years of training and dedication from a young age. Not so for Armonk’s Danny Tateo, winner of New York Road Runner Club’s Runner of the Year.

As a teen, running was never his interest. Instead, Tateo participated in team sports such as baseball and football, mainly out of a search for admiration more than any great love for either sport. He described troubles at home which left him searching for something to boost his self-esteem.

Tateo left college to start his own business and soon after married his childhood sweetheart, Elena. “I knew she always liked me for me,” he said. He attributes the success of their marriage to mutual deep respect and admiration as well as commitment to putting their relationship first. The couple has two children, a daughter, Reese, 13, and son, Morgan, nine.

In his thirties, Tateo began to understand the concept of low self-esteem and recognized his habit of working to convince people that he was smart and successful. Still, he began seriously building up his muscles and admits much of his identity and what he valued about himself was associated with appearance.

At age 46, Tateo began incorporating running into his workouts, but strictly for aerobic benefit to his heart and lungs. He ran three times weekly for 30 minutes, careful not to lose too much muscle mass. “Finally one day I just kept going,” he said. Deciding it was time to grow up and stop trying to make people like him, he continued to run regularly and quickly dropped 35 pounds. “People thought I was sick or something,” he said, though he had stopped caring what others thought. He entered a 5k race in Armonk and finished in 20 minutes. Shortly after, he ran a 10k in Central Park and finished third. “I started thinking, ‘Hey, I’m pretty good at this,’” Tateo said.

Not one to do anything halfway, he began immersing himself in learning about running. He read books about how to train, the physiology behind running and which muscles to build and strengthen to help run faster and more efficiently. “Learn, read, improve,” he said. In his research, he looked up the best runner in New York City at the time and learned it was Paul Thompson. Thompson was ranked nationally and had won Runner of the Year seven years straight. Tateo called and asked to train with him. Thompson agreed and they began meeting regularly in Central Park and nearby Rockefeller Preserve.

“It was a rude awakening!” Tateo exclaimed. “Long runs were hard for me.” Tateo’s average mileage was about 25 miles per week, while Thompson ran about 70 miles per week. “He really showed me the ropes,” he said of Thompson. Within a couple of years of training with Thompson, Tateo had built up his own personal endurance to between 87 and 93 miles per week and continued training. Five years after his first run, he looked up the finishing times of other Runner of the Year winners in various races, and the idea of achieving that goal for himself grew. Tateo researched the criteria.

In order to be considered for nomination of Runner of the Year, one has to run six races of varying distances within the year. Tateo placed first in one, fourth in another, and second in the other four races. To his delight, the New York Road Runner Board nominated Tateo, along with four others in his age group after considering distances, times and best finishers in all qualifying races.

On February 26, Tateo, with his family, joined hundreds of nominees from many running clubs at the Hard Rock Café for a dinner and award ceremony. “It was like the Oscars,” Tateo said. “They call your category and show all five nominees on the big screen. When they announced my name, my family and I went nuts!” A long night of celebrating followed.

The only downside for Tateo was that for more than four years he felt his family paid a heavy price for the training required to achieve his goal. “My family is everything to me. Without them I am nothing, and I plan to show them that through actions, not words.” Thompson asked Tateo to join the U.S. Track and Field team, which competes around the country. “I told him I can’t. My family needs me and they are the only people I will work for, and I will never regret that decision.”

He shared advice he gives to his daughter about goal-setting. “Focus on finding your strength, and formulate a dream, something you think is possible. Put your head down and go. One day you will look up and say ‘I did it!’”

Miriam Longobardi is a freelance writer, fourth grade teacher and single mother of two daughters living in Westchester. A breast cancer survivor, she volunteers for the American Cancer Society, has completed four marathons and travels the world. Follow her on Twitter @writerMimiLong.