Stories of Hope

My Ethan

Peter Nicoletti
December 31, 2012
It's hard to believe my Ethan turned 11 today. His limitations maybe seen as a handicap to some, but to the people closest to him, they are clearly a blessing. His unconditional love for everyone he knows, and oblivion to the horror and unfortunate things we all see in our "modern society", says something about his life and living with the hand he was dealt. It breaks my heart that I can't be with him every day, but he and his brother are always with me regardless. Clearly, the two greatest people I know. During these past two and half years, when everything around me has seemed to fall apart, I can ALWAYS count on them being there and lifting my spirits. They have saved my life, and given me reason to live. I have lost everything, except the two most precious and priceless gifts anyone could have ever received. For that, I must remind myself, there is a little boy in my life, who happens to be autistic, who has been able to brighten half of my heart beyond a way he or anyone else could ever imagine. The other half brightened by his 13 year old brother Noah, who has been NOTHING but wonderful, protective, supportive and understanding to his "Little Ethan". In the very near future, I am facing some hardship that is going to last for an uncertain amount of time. I WILL get through it, somehow, and ONLY by the Grace of God, and the joy of my two precious boys that fill a broken mans heart.

Peter
Bristol, RI

My Amazing Son

Autism has changed my life in many ways. I am a mother of two beautiful boys, one who has autism. Almost 7 years ago, my husband and I received the most devastating news, that we thought at the time, that our 3 year old son has Autism. This news forever changed our lives. At the time, I did feel devastation, upset and just full of some many different emotions. As a parent, we want the best for our kids and for them to have a “normal” life. I knew very little about Autism those seven years ago. With the help of my son’s PCP, the people at the Child Development Unit, and his speech therapist my husband and I got so much information about Autism and helped us understand our son. I know now there is no such thing as “normal” and I would never want him to be. He is so unique and amazing in every way. My son Rico is such an inspiration to me. He opens my eyes to different things and such a free spirit. His heart is so full of kindness, he is like an angel in disguise. No matter what the obstacle is, no matter how frustrated he may be, giving up is never an option. Rico, my son, is a true blessing from God. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Donna
PITTSBURGH, PA

My guardian

Everyday comes and goes the same. The kids get ready for school, the laundry get done, the kids come home, and so on. Our life was pretty drab and plain until Alex came along. At first when we found out he was autistic we were scared. But Alex is the most loving little boy anyone has ever met. Sure there's been bumps in the road, the delayed speech, being in his own world, but with help with his teachers and therapist Alex has improved soo much. Alex is my reason to still have hope. He protects his family. He breaks up fights between his siblings. If he sees me upset, he stops what he's doing just to comfort me. My lil guardian.

Vicky Brunson
Perris, CA

Her Fire

She was loved before she was conceived. She was born early and small. Her breath was warm and her skin was so soft. Her heartbeat was fierce. She was ahead with some things and took her time with others. Her laugh, infectious. She has a deep love for life both fuzzy and green. She likes to snuggle and read. A social butterfly, always introducing herself. She never met a stranger. As time went on, she began loosing her voice. Her world became smaller. She became afraid. She lost abilities and needed help more and more. Mom and Dad stepped up and took charge. Then, someone took notice. Tests were run, questions asked, notes taken. Mom and Dad given information needed to make break-thrus. Educators told the best ways to reach her. She was given coping skills. She still struggles but she fights. She knows that her life is going to be challenging but nothing she can't handle with family by her side. She is amazing. She faces fears with support gently nudging from behind. Nights sometimes still filled with terrors but Daisy is there to growl away the monsters. You would never know now that she began her life so small. She is so brave and determined. Her fire burns bright and warms the hearts of all those she meets. She is destined for great things.

Maria D.
Dallas, TX

Our amazing Dalia - <3 <3 <3 >3 - Molologue :)

Dalia memorized an entire British Cartoon (with accent!) called Peppa Pig.

She often motorizes entire cartoons, videos, or plays, with characters, voices, and even background sounds.

How amazing is that!

:)

Anonymous
boca raton, FL

Taking on hope one day at a time...

When Cali was diagnosed with autism two short years ago, hope seemed distant and blurred. Today, our hopes for Cali are clear and bright. You never know what the future holds for any child whether special needs or not, but amidst life's turning and bumpy roads you hold on to this hope that it will all be ok. Autism isn't just a bump, it's many, many bumps! Some the same, some different, but they all seem to slow down Cali's race in life. When we first started out on our journey with autism, the bumps seemed more like mountains, but as Cali began to move past these we started to realize that yes she can do this!! There was zero lag time between getting the diagnoses and starting various treatments for Cali. Through occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy (floortime model), developmental therapy, and hippotherapy, we began to see UNBELIEVABLE gains with our little girl. Her non-verbal state at age two, has now become completely verbal and even "typical" on some of her communication skills. The unbearable tantrums and fits (happening almost every hour on the hour) at age two, are now few and far between. I often think how ironic it is to have Cali as my calm, happy child, and Ava, my two year old not having autism, as the... let's call it "spirited" child. The Cali who didn't have a clue how to initiate interaction with other friends, is now asking me to play with Coco down the street. A life with autism can only move forward with hope. We hold on to this hope each and every day, and firmly believe Cali's past two years are living proof. We love you Cali!!

Chelsea
Orem, UT

Defying Normal

Damon came into my life in October 2009, shortly after my 17th birthday. From day one that little boy was my whole world and nothing would change that. Being a young mom was difficult between finishing high school, applying for college, working part time, and raising my son, thankfully I had a wonderful family acting as a support system that would prove to be truly important. Up until 18months Damon hit his milestones at the same rate or before children in his age group but all of a sudden I had noticed my little boy had changed. He wouldn't play with his toys he would study them, he interacted along side his friends not with them, and among many other things the above average vocabulary he had built was gone. It was like having a new son. After many evaluations Damon was diagnosed with Autism seven months after his second birthday. At first I was devastated, not because my son wasn't "normal" but because of the treatment he would receive from outsiders. I feared he'd be taunted and harassed because society has a definition for "normal" but my baby didn't fit the description. I soon realized my thinking was wrong, he didn't have to fit the definition of normal because he was Damon and that's what was normal and perfect about him. What others thought didn't matter because no matter what he was, is, and always will be loved.After therapy and special education programs my beautifully different son is breaking boundaries and setting new limits. He is saying a few words, showing affection, and climbing a ladder I never thought would be possible. To this day my son is filling my world with light, love, and hope. I don't see autism as a disability, I see it as beauty.

Anonymous
Clinton, IA

my little treasue

Well let's begin with saying I never planned on any children. As life goes I was shocked by my suprise of being pregnant. As a single mom I had a very good pregnancy and went full term. No issues what so ever. The day of labor was not so good. My doctor recommended being induced. This did not agree with my little guy. Labor was long and the cord was not in a good position. 12 hours later my little guy was born bit immediately taken to the nicu. There he stayed for 23 days. The determination was that he had a stroke while being born and had 3 spots on his brain. The first week he was kept sedated because of his seizures. No one was aloud to hold him including myself for 23 days. It was heart breaking. As soon as things got under control he got to come home. He was put on the early intervention program inwhich he is still on. As he grew his motor functions were pretty typical however speech hasn't come so easy. My lil guy for a to speech therapy twice a week, ot twice a week, and pt once a week. He also receives a weekly visit from becep. He is diagnosed now with autism. Even with this he is by far one of the most beautiful and out going lil guy. He loves being outside with animals and can be so funny! I dont consider this a disability for he would not be who he is without it. We have a different road to take then some but nothing we can't handle. That's my short story.

lindsey march
mandan, ND

Tyler's Journey

I was blessed with Tyler in 1997. Tyler was diagnosed as being severely autistic when he was almost six years old. My heart broke. I didn't know what Autism was or what to do for him. The school did not know what they could do for him. He was the first Autistic child to go through the school district where we live. But, I was bound and determined to give Tyler every chance and opportunity that every other child is given.

Because of Tyler, Autism Awareness became a priority with the school district. Teachers and faculty had to reeducate themselves. Tyler was in essence their guinea pig for different programs at school, while I was trying my hardest at home.

Tyler started breaking out of his "Autism shell" around age nine. He started speaking, potty trained himself and began to control his ticks. That was the year he was retested and went from severe to mild.

Today, Tyler is a Freshman in high school. He is completely mainstreamed in regular classes in public school. He has a large group of friends. In fact, I haven't ever heard of anyone not liking Tyler. He is such a joy to have as a son.

People often asked me if I wished Tyler was "normal". I look at them and say that he is normal. That I wouldn't want to change him in anyway. Tyler has Autism. But, Autism does not have Tyler.

Cheri Simmons
Nebraska City, NE

Counting

Our daughter, Ivy, is so brilliant! We have been working on counting very hard and she has picked it up very well. Today she picked up the TV remote, started pointing to the numbers and counting - "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10." Obviously there is no 10 on our remote, she just knew that it came next. My wife and I were so proud and we started clapping for her. Ivy was so proud of herself!

She is 26 months old and we have known for awhile that she had some autistic tendencies (delayed milestones, minimal speech, flapping, texture issues, etc.). At 2 years old, she received her official diagnosis and we starting being proactive about her cognitive development and speech. The progress that she has made in only two months is nothing short of inspiring to us.

Scotty Rainwater
Dublin, GA