Damon came into my life in October 2009, shortly after my 17th birthday. From day one that little boy was my whole world and nothing would change that. Being a young mom was difficult between finishing high school, applying for college, working part time, and raising my son, thankfully I had a wonderful family acting as a support system that would prove to be truly important. Up until 18months Damon hit his milestones at the same rate or before children in his age group but all of a sudden I had noticed my little boy had changed. He wouldn't play with his toys he would study them, he interacted along side his friends not with them, and among many other things the above average vocabulary he had built was gone. It was like having a new son. After many evaluations Damon was diagnosed with Autism seven months after his second birthday. At first I was devastated, not because my son wasn't "normal" but because of the treatment he would receive from outsiders. I feared he'd be taunted and harassed because society has a definition for "normal" but my baby didn't fit the description. I soon realized my thinking was wrong, he didn't have to fit the definition of normal because he was Damon and that's what was normal and perfect about him. What others thought didn't matter because no matter what he was, is, and always will be loved.After therapy and special education programs my beautifully different son is breaking boundaries and setting new limits. He is saying a few words, showing affection, and climbing a ladder I never thought would be possible. To this day my son is filling my world with light, love, and hope. I don't see autism as a disability, I see it as beauty.

Anonymous
Clinton, IA