How do you count a day that seems impossible to number? I remember the first time I hear the word in reference with my daughter, her aunt said that her grandmother thought she might be autistic, and I said "artisitic?" and my now X husband let me continue with my understanding,,,that was tempered with anger. But then a pediatric neurologist at the prestige Issak Walter Killim (IWK) Hospital in Halifax said it might be so, but what did he know. Then on the day after Canada Day in 1996, the ABR hearing test confirmed that not only was Becky's hearing good enough to develop language (something at 2.5 years she had not), but better than that 25 decibel level, she could hear perfectly at 15 decibels. And as the acceptance grew, her life started to unfold in front of my mind's eyes. So I think the day taht my life changed was the days I started loving my daughter with the better understanding of autism, and that love and amazement still grows. Although she still cannot talk with words at 19, she still has the power to get what she needs, what she wants, and she has the command of many to find those things for her. She has a family and community rallying and cheering for every little daily events and a mighty roar from those same people with any advancement. She has security, She has friendship. And she has love. Not because it was easy, but it was impossible not to provide her with those things, once you meet her. These are the days that Becky has changed many lives. Angela from Nova Scotia, Canada. <3

Angela Hanebury
Westville, Canada