17-year-old autistic boy memorialized with plaque at Burbank nature center

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- A trailhead at Burbank's Stough Canyon Nature Center Park is an open invitation to explore. It's that pathway that opened a world of wonder for a child with special needs remembered Friday.

Shane Proffitt was autistic, had diabetes and a seizure disorder.

"The only thing we could do for Shane is try and make the best life for him possible," his father Bill Proffitt said.

Shane's parents took him to all the places kids enjoy. Disneyland and Dodger games were welcome diversions to the insulin shots he needed every two hours.

Of all his outings, it was this place in the Verdugo Foothills where Bill Proffitt said Shane's spirit seemed to soar.

"I said, 'Boy it would be nice to have a trail named after Shane,'" his grieving father said.

But there were legal hurdles. Burbank's city code requires that memorials be named for significant adults with major achievements. Shane died at 17.

Leaders soon learned Shane had fans. A child who endured unrelenting medical problems was still able to bring joy to his world.

A lobbying campaign for Shane began, led by Shane's dad. Proffitt has been active at BCR: "A Place to Grow," an after-school that helps the special-needs community.

His voice cracked as he addressed supporters at the Nature Center on Friday.

"Just help people out in the community. If you can do things like today, that's all we can do. I wish that we were celebrating Shane's graduation, but we are not doing that so instead we have this," Proffitt said.

With the presence of city leaders, a memorial plaque was unveiled.

Their hope now is that it will encourage all members of the community to explore the outdoors and tell the story of how a 17-year-old boy with multiple disabilities is worthy of honor.