HI, my name's Larissa. And as an individual with Autism, I want to share some of my experiences. (Some of the memories I tried to remember are according to my mom told unto me) It all started when I was born on the stormy day of October 18, 1994, in the island of Saipan, Mom told me how she struggled a lot with my alcoholic father, my sister with asthma attacks, and my new birth to this world. Mom always trusts big responsibility to my sister for watching me while she goes to work. Mom hired a maid during a few years, until one day, the most recent maid was fired due to negligence, when attempted to hit me on a wall. At that time, I couldn't remember if she really hit my head by accident, or on purpose. But either way, it was over, as my mom quit her job for years working @Nikko Hotel. It was very hard for my mom, since her job really supported the family, treating me and my sister to nice restaurants and pretty places, but she had to sacrifice it, since no one else can watch us. Not even my father could watch us well enough at that time.
So we depended on my father's financial support, however not much, and became gradually poor. But my mom never regretted to stay, for our safety. Then over the years continued, My father, still alcoholic, my sister graduated elementary and middle school with many awards & trophies earned, I was in 2nd grade, (since that's the starting point of my memories) I realized my behavior was unusual. I started to have bullies in school throughout those years. By the age of 10, my mom finally got me diagnosed with Autism, @Community Health Center. While my mom continues the struggle for me, my sister joining the military after high school graduation, and my father finally quitting his alcoholism, due to his sickness, I am still pressing on, ready for the ongoing obstacles before me... (to be continued...)
Mililani, HI
