Before the diagnosis, life was chaotic and in limbo. Skills successful to us with our three oldest children, proved pointless in raising our youngest of four. At age 3, Lily was diagnosed with ASD and Sensory Processing Disorder, moderate functioning. She was non verbal and extremely abusive to herself. By that time, we wouldn't have dared take her out to the store or restaurant, based on the screaming and thrashing that always took place when we'd tried in the past. Lily started her intervention program by age 3 1/2. She's now 6 years old. She's verbal, and I mean soooo verbal. :) She very rarely ever abuses herself or others. She's finally potty trained! She tells jokes..even goes as far as to instruct us on how to properly laugh at those jokes. She is an amazing artist! She loves bugs and thinks a fly would make a great tongue, for a T-rex. She empathizes, and forgives, and adores, and will give a kiss or a hug to those closest to her. She is certain she invented the high five, though...so if a hug isn't in your future, you're sure to get a hands up high five! She still walks on her tippy toes, and she'll tell you that she does so because "that's what ballerinas do". She thinks Bath & Body Works' warm vanilla spray is "Mama's love", and as long as she's sprayed with it, she will have a good day, at school. She does all this, and so much more, because it's officially stated that she is upgraded to high functioning! If a cure was offered, I'd deny it. I have already mourned the woman I thought I was raising her to be, once..and I won't do it again. Plus, her idea of the woman she will be is much more interesting, than the one I had in mind. ;) She is why her sister is studying to be a teacher. She's the new life, breathed in to our family. She is one cool human, and we are honored to call her ours.

Damian Leon
Camas, WA