Stories of Hope

Cody Watches The Movie "Cars" w/Dad

My son, Cody, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age 7. After receiving his diagnosis, his dad and I had a ton of "a-ha" moments. Many things about Cody suddenly made sense. Cody's dad works in the oilfield here in Alaska. His work schedule takes him away from home for (at the time a week) two weeks at a time. Cody was about 2 1/2 and was very excited to watch the movie "Cars" with his dad. His dad came home and started watching the movie with Cody. Cody then proceeded to quote the movie word for word. This started a fight between my husband and I. His exact words to me were "How many times has he watched this? Is this all he's doing while I'm at work? Watching movies?". My response "He's watched it one time." This is one of both my husband's and my favorite stories to tell about Cody. It kind of sums him up.

Lindsey Wolfe
Soldotna, AK

Hi I have Autism but Autism don't have me

Hi guys
I'm Seth Loven Age 19 From Morganton NC. I have always had a Learning disability but 4 years ago I was diagnosed with autism. I started singing in church then 2 years ago I started making YouTube videos & Writing my own music 2 months ago I released my first single (Never Give Up) 2 weeks ago I Released my second single (Brand New Angel) Brand New Angel was in Honor of Zahra Baker google her story if not heard about it. I have many fans I have been Ashamed and embarrassed about my Autism my Mother Grandmother Sister and only Doc new that I had Autism. Last week I Released a statement to my Family Friends & Fans that I have Autism & that you can do Anything you set your mind to don't let any kind of Disability bring you down.Never Give Up. I'm a Singer/songwriter also has started doing Extra in Movies . Love & Hugs guys I love y'all's page

Facebook Like Page:
Seth Loven Fan Nation Official
https://www.facebook.com/SethFanNation

Seth Loven Soundcloud :
https://soundcloud.com/seth-loven

click the link below please listen and share
This song is in honor of Zahra Baker Written & Sung By Seth Loven

https://soundcloud.com/seth-loven/brand-new-angel

Seth Loven
Morganton, NC

Destinee LeiAnn Renee

I had a hard pregnancy with my second child, I spent most my time in doctor's offices or the hospital. I prayed eight months for a healthy ten toed ten figured baby, finally on November 2nd, 2011, Destinee was born. Something wasn't right though, when she came into the world she wasn't crying, breathing, no heart beat, nothing; I thought I had lost my baby. After 30mintues of working on her we heard her first cry, as month's when on she grew but wasn't reaching milestones. Doctor appointment after doctor appointment, they kept telling us it was because she was a "blue baby" and she would grow out of it, but to go ahead and put her in speech therapy, physical therapy, and etc. so we did. She finally started to act like she was catching up so we quit everything like the doctor told us to, but when she turned a year in half we noticed something wasn't right. She wasn't talking no baby babble, wasn't feeling pain, nothing so we went back to the doctor and they told us we were over reacting. An on October 24,2012 we got the phone from another doctor we had taken her to saying that, "Sorry but your daughter has autism.", we were stunned and didn't know what to say. It changed our life completely, Des opened a new door to a new world for us, that we are ever so grateful for, she is our angel from heaven. She is now almost three year's old still barely talks walks with a gait and has no pain tolerance, when she is frustrated she bangs her head off walls and etc. Destinee is back in therapy and constantly going to the doctor's, learning to see things the way she does is a challenge, but every day is a new adventure an I wouldn't change it for a thing!

chelsea allen
blackwell, OK

Katherine's Story

Katherine was diagnosed with autism when she was 3. Her father and I knew there was a developmental issue because she was speech delayed, had frequent tantrums, didn't make much eye contact and didn't really show interest in playing with other kids. Some family members kept reassuring us that she was just unusually smart and that we shouldn't worry (she taught herself to read by age three and picked up math very early too!). Then the diagnosis came and we were determined to do everything in our power to allow her to reach her fullest potential. After years of therapy - speech, occupational, ABA and social group therapy she is five and getting ready to go into a regular kindergarten class with no shadow! She loves school, is smart, sweet, loving, and joyful. She loves to ride horses, takes gymnastics, and is starting soccer in the fall. She is still working on peer interaction and speech development but she has exceeded our expectations at every turn and we fully believe that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to! And we would not change a single thing about her - she is uniquely wonderful!

Cheryl Williams
Germantown, TN

Our Boy Our life

My life changed forever 7 years ago when I gave birth to my first son Bastian. Bastian was premature 3lbs 13oz. He was born at 30 weeks into my pregnancy (10 weeks early) because I had eclampsia resulting in a seizure and small stroke. Bastian was born with a brain bleed resulting in hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and had his first brain surgery at 8 months old to install his first shunt which he will have in his brain for life. At 2 years old he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and at 2 and a half his first shunt failed resulting in brain surgery again for his second shunt. At age 5 we were told Bastian was Autistic, although I always knew he was different and had a feeling it could be autism the world kind of moved in slow motion when they told me. Now he had another label. Bastian has always been the light in the room, he has an old soul and he is and always will be my hero. Labels don't matter. I watch him and I wish more then anything I could take away his pain, I wish I could help people be more understanding and considerate of his feelings and how sensitive he is. He is so very smart and sweet he is loving and just wants to be loved in return. My life changed forever that day but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love both of my boys with all of my heart exactly the way they are, through all the therapy and Dr's appointments they are worth every second of it!

Bernadette Haney
EL Cajon, CA

Never underestimate what a child is capable of.

One of my amazing students Eric surprises me every time I have the joy of having a lesson with him. He loves to sing and will not only out-sing anyone I know, but also has managed to learn all his notes on the piano. He only needs to learn it once and his memory is absolutely astounding as he will quickly recall all we reviewed the following lessons.

I am constantly blessed and encouraged by him and reminding me that we should always expect and encourage the best out of every child with autism because the treasures they hold know no bounds.

thank you Eric for being so awesome and such a light in my life
~Adrian

Adrian Edward
Brooklyn, NY

Olivia

My daughter Olivia is 8 years old and is an insperation to me. She has totally changed my world. Olivia has taught me to stop stressing about the small stuff, life is too short for that. Olivia has taught me to stop thinking about what people think of you and do what you want. I love it when she runs through the house laughing for no reason to her sister Hannah or myself. I love her ability to get what she wants or need without using her words. Most of all I love her because her autism makes her unique.

Rosie Calabro
victoria, Australia

The woman that changed my life

I started a new job, working at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities. At first I was scared and thought the job just wasn't for me. That was until I met Rachel, the sweetest woman I know, and she has autism. She is non verbal but sure has a personality. Every day coming into work and seeing her made me so humble. All the silly things she did made me laugh, when she was having a hard day it would make me cry. Her happiness was my happiness, her pain was my pain. I would do anything for that woman, especially considering she didn't have much family and was just surrounded by staff all day that worked at her group home and in her day program, she never felt that compassion in a hug, or the joy of going out for a coffee on a Saturday, even opening a present on Christmas morning. My coworker Amanda and I dedicated our work to her, so we could offer her those things. Like many children or adults with autism she wasn't big into hugs, but finally she opened up to me. Her hugs turned into her way of communicating to me besides her normal yelling or banging things with her hands. If she was having a good day she gave me a hug, if she was having a bad day she didn't want me near her. Rachel means the world to me. I don't work with Rachel anymore but I think about her every day. I have photos of her in my home, I have her drawings framed on my wall. She will always be my girl.

Victoria
Holland, MA

OUR ADULT GRANDSON, BOBBY.....

Bobby is our 3rd g'child.....We are very proud of him.... He tried playing sports in his younger years, but he did not enjoy it.... Soon he realized he had a love for music....He has taught himself how to play the drums and guitar....He is very good....music is his thing.....He likes to work a few hours every week...Finding a job is not always easy for him, but he keeps trying...
Bobby was not diagnosed with a high functioning aspergers until he was grown....He is lucky that he lives at home with both of his parents...Oh , did I mention that we love him and he is very handsome...

Katherine
Birmingham, AL

Welcome to my world, life on the spectrum

So often, those outside life on the spectrum, have no understanding of what life actually entails for families living with a spectrum related diagnosis. I've heard from other families, it's an isolated life, often compared to living on an island, or in a bubble they can't escape.

"Normal" activities are outside our reach due to sensory issues, social issues or meltdowns that result from overstimulation. Life assumptions from neuro-typical families, who think nothing of homes with common walls, or seat assignments on planes that separate family members, are of special concern to a spectrum family who understands the risks involved in attempting such an endeavor as travel or relocation.

Our children most often DO NOT transition well resulting in meltdowns, while we try to anticipate triggers, we can't always control a situation. People outside the spectrum simply can't understand our world nor the accommodation requests we make, often labeling us as "not easy or downright difficult". In all fairness, unless you have been personally touched by a spectrum family, it's impossible to comprehend the life we live, so it's my hope, my post will educate those within my reach. Please be kind, please be patient as our lives are some of the most challenging lives faced 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

I'm personally very thankful for a loving supportive husband who has stood by his family and steps in when life dishes out more than one person can handle. For those sports fans out there, we function similar to tag team wrestlers . You stay in the ring until you've had the snot beat out of you, barely able to stand, then tag out for a well deserved rest to hide your tears, frustration and yes even anger.

Life on the spectrum is not easy, but I wouldn't change my life for anything in the world! My son has taught me about strength, courage, innocence and acceptance, all characteristics everyone could use more of.

About the author: Mom to an almost nine year old Autistic boy, diagnosed a year and a half ago.

Anonymous
Winthrop, ME