I was 14 years old and thought that I met the love of my life. A fewer months later I find I am pregnant. Inn 8-5-04 my life changed, I had a beautiful baby boy. Now no mother ever dreams of there child to have any problems. A couple years go by and I start to realize my baby isn't learning normally and acts funny in different ways. By this time the (love of my life) has left me and I'm alone and don't have a clue what I'm doing. I'm now 16 and lost! I Calla doctor and take him, they diagnosed him with autism, and tell me he is so severe that he may never talk or potty train. It's been a long hard road, but 6 years later I am so very proud to say, he now has a vocabulary of probably close to100 words and after 8 years of changing diapers and cleaning walls, floors, furniture, and a little body i am proud to say I potty trained my boy. People stare and talk everywhere we go, but they did not see the pain, suffering, dedication, love, and hard work it took to bring him as far as we have, so I look at like they don't understand. I've also had people make comments on what they would do knowing they were pregnant with a disabled child, but you don't know. You also don't how special they are or how much of a blessing they are or just how much they could completely change your life. If it wasn't Ford autism and B.D. I wouldn't be me! So I want to thank God for giving me his little angel. I love you Bradley just the way you are!

Amber Manion
Atoka, OK