Autism has touched our family in a big way!One little fellow w/ a great big smile & blue eyes keeps us all on our toes.He's such a delight to have in my life.He is my son,Kendall.One day we went to visit his father for lunch. Kendall wasnt feeling well.We came home and I gave him a piece of candy.He dropped,turning blue,not breathing.I thought he was choking.I panicked.I called 911 and the ambulance got lost on the way to my home. My baby still was not breathing.My oldest grabbed him up and we racedto the ER.I was doing 90 all the way,blasting thru red lights and praying that a cop pulled me over,maybe he could help my baby.I made it to the ER & they whisked my baby away and gave him anti-seizure medicine.I thought my son was going to die.They did a spinal tap to check for meningitis,did all sorts of scans.Everything was normal.They got his seizures to stop.The Dr couldnt tell me what happened,other than he had febrile seizures.I took him to the Dr the next morning.The Dr looked between his fingers and told me he had contracted Hand,Foot Mouth Disease,from a shopping cart.Kendall's development slowed from that point on. He began banging his head to stimulate himself.He formed a bone callus on his forehead.He also scratched and bit himself.I took him back to Children's Medical Center and was then referred to a Autism Specialist in Roanoke, Va Was tested @ the age of 4. His diagnosis,High Functioning Autism.My son has many meltdowns a day. He hyperventilates.He calms himself with pain and it breaks my heart.Our little family of 5 has learned to cope and help him as much as possible.I'll stand by this precious miracle for eternity. God gave him to me & he is a true blessing.

Jenzy Ryan
Collinsville, VA