This is Christina. She is an amazing child and the love of my life. She has Autism...but it doesn't have her. She came in to my life about 5 years ago when I met her father. I always wanted to be a mom, but I married late in life and never had children of my own. To be quite honest, I was nervous about the prospect of raising a child with Autism. But from the first time I met Christina, she had my heart and I knew she was not going to be just my "stepdaughter", but my daughter. She is the apple of her father's eye and his pride and joy.
She has the most beautiful smile that lights up a room. She loves to giggle and has such an infectious laugh that it is impossible to not giggle right along with her. She loves to tease and do what ever she can just to make you laugh. She is a character. She has the kind of personality that just draws you in and everyone that meets her loves her.
She loves her pepperoni pizza and her "cold white ice cream". She swims like a fish and would spend all of her time in a pool if we let her. She has a room full of stuffed animals that are all her "friends"....but her favorites are Sonic the Hedgehog and Tom and Jerry....those go with her every where she goes. She loves to watch movies and can repeat lines and scenes from her favorites word for word. She is very smart and a good student and according to her teachers, a joy to have in class.
Yes, Christina has Autism...but I wouldn't want her any other way. I am so proud of her and so proud to call her my daughter. I love this kid with all my heart.
Mitchell, IN
