The Ultimate Expression of Human Freedom

 Our family surrounds itself with like-minded people who strive to love unconditionally, cherish, and celebrate Elliot for who he is. That makes all the difference in our lives. Below is an excerpt from a poem written to Elliot from his friend Chet who wished to honor Elliot as the ultimate expression of human freedom:

 …I went out into the world we try so hard to get you to see.

And saw that your world is better.

In this world there are slaves

and we kill each other for money

and we've made weapons that could murder us all.

Your world doesn't have bullets

Your world doesn't have hate

Your world doesn't need forced labor to get to the diamonds.

Your world is better.

Elliot, prince of kaleidoscopes,

little shaman of the vortex,

you don't need this world.

But this world needs you.

Love, Chet

~Rick and Laura (parents to Elliot) **please visit their blog at: willworkfordog.com 

~ Trey’s first year of life seemed quite remarkably neurotypical.  In fact, he was the most gregarious infant I had ever met and many people commented the same way.  Our Christmas card that year showed 9-month old Trey with an uncanny, exuberant ear-to-ear grin.   Considering his older brother Evan had already been diagnosed with autism, we had been watching Trey’s development under a proverbial microscope.  As a result, when he also regressed into autism shortly after his first birthday we were quite taken aback and grieved for a long time the fact that we would never raise a truly neurotypical child afterall.

But the grieving didn’t last forever.  In fact, his Dad and I, like so many of the parents we know who have children on the spectrum, are quite a determined couple.  We began turning over every stone in an effort to help our children.  Thankfully Trey started to respond, albeit very slowly and steadily, to our many interventions.

~ Today Trey has emerged from his nonverbal state of autism to a place where he’s speaking in 3-4 word phrases, is reading above grade level, has amazing imaginary play skills, is part of an integrated classroom and has resumed his gregarious, silly, slap-stick humor-loving version of himself.  His smile and laugh are so contagious that therapists and volunteers in our home program all vie for the opportunity to work with Trey.   Is Trey recovering?  You bet.   Right now does Trey still have autism?  You bet.   But after years of watching him exist like a ghost in the room we are now witnessing him come alive again with amazing exuberance.  It’s like a dream come true!   And the dream continues manifesting more fully every day!

~ Trey continues to work hard to improve his communication ability and to cope with things that don’t work out as he predicted or hoped.   We lovingly support him on that journey and applaud all his efforts with enthusiasm.  If there were awards given out for the most persistent child with autism, Trey might win first place.  It is definitely one of his greatest strengths, although I can attest as his mom there are moments where it makes boundary setting an exhausting adventure. But that same persistency, combined with our efforts, is what has been leading Trey out of his isolated little world and more fully into ours.  And our world is a much better place with Trey participating in it, no doubt about it!

~Dawnmarie & Brian (parents to Trey)

Please read about Trey''s story here and don't forget to take a look at Stories of Autism.

Please

~ When Evan looks into your eyes it feels as if he’s peering into your soul.  Without a single word Evan can crisply communicate “You are loved”, “I appreciate you”, or “Thank you SO much for understanding me!”  His penetrating eye contact, when he chooses to make it, is so purposeful and so powerful you can’t help but be deeply moved by his innocent, angelic spirit.

~  Evan has the uncanny knack of inspiring you to be a better person.    He sets the bar by his own example of relentless determination to overcome obstacles.  On a daily basis he deals with severe apraxia, major motor planning issues, years of painful gastrointestinal problems despite the best medical doctor helping to treat them, and an inability to express his wants and needs with ease.  Most of us would crumble with even one fourth of those challenges, but not Evan.  He’s an easy-going, “downstream” kind of kid who just continues to try, try, try and who forgives & forgets like none other.  As a result of his character he has challenged everyone who’s ever worked with him to dig deeper trying to help him.   But besides inspiring therapists & teachers to become better at what they do, he has without question made his dad and me better parents.   We are nothing if it weren’t for him and the blessing he is in our lives.

~ Our favorite quote by Richard Buckminster Fuller reminds me most of Evan ~ “There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.”   We have endless belief in Evan’s potential.  Considering at age 7.5 he just began speaking, is now nearly potty trained, & he’s become an amazing swimmer ~ he’s just now beginning to emerge from his safe little cocoon.   All things are possible, especially with determination!

~Dawnmarie & Brian (parents to Evan)

Please read about Evan's story here and don't forget to take a look at Stories of Autism.