Autism: Surviving and Thriving

Fourteen years ago my youngest 3 boys were diagnosed with autism within a 9 month span. Devastation and grieving followed. Doctors gave me little or no hope, but they didn't know me very well. I refused to believe that my boys were doomed.

My boys are now young men, adults with autism. They are thriving, but every day presents its turmoil and challenges.

My family: husband Mike, sons Ryan 23 yr, Nicholas 21 yr, and Cameron 18 yr. (Ryan and Nick have autism; Cam has recovered from autism.) Our oldest sons, Michael 34 yr and Stuart 25 yr, moved out of the house. Ryan has also moved out, and is still working towards complete independence.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Only Disability Is A Bad Attitude

I love that quote.  Allison Williams, a fourteen year old girl with Down Syndrome, gets the credit for that quote. She was not allowed to be on her high school's cheerleading squad due to her disability.  Below is a link for more information about her situation.


If a person can keep a positive attitude, so much more can be accomplished.  Sometimes, when my boys with autism hit an obstacle, they tell me why they can't do it.  I tell them that I am not interested in what they can't do.  I am interested in what they CAN do.  They set their own limits. Then I am always astonished at their accomplishments.  They are too!

I look back ten years to when the boys were first diagnosed and the "unfavorable" prognosis for them.  Not much hope was given.  Well, no hope.  My husband and I had a choice to make, and that was literally a life threatening choice for our sons, ie whether they'd have the best life they could have or not.

As they are now growing up, that choice is becoming theirs.

What type of life will they lead?  Do they wish to pursue their dreams and push their potential or not?  Will they continue to thrive or just survive?

The answer remains in their attitude.

http://www.ohiolife.org/blog/2013/6/17/ohio-high-school-bars-student-with-down-syndrome-from-cheer.html

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