Stories of Hope

Share your inspiring, hopeful story of how autism touched you.

The Gift

This is a poem I wrote for all the families and caregivers of people with Autism..Sam, you are my inspiration!

I don't know what God was thinking, when he said "you are the one"
I will trust you with someone special, and you will call him son.
Each day he'll bring you laughter, but with that there'll be tears.
He'll make you very proud of him, and I will calm your fears.
You will tell the world how fortunate you are
that I have given you this gift as I watch you from afar.
You see my child I've given you a life thats pure and true
I knew that I could trust you, for I made you special too.

Judy
Coon Rapids, MN

A Blessing in Disguise

A Blessing in Disguise

Whenever I get the chance I love to share the story about my brothers Anthony and Joey and our experience with Autism. Anthony is the oldest of us four kids, and he was diagnosed with Autism before the age of 2. Not only did they diagnose him with Autism, but they also told my parents that he was deaf, which only made the disorder more difficult to handle. He is on the severe level of the spectrum and due to his behaviors my mom had to make the difficult decision to put him in a home with 24 hour care. He may be difficult to handle, but we have always had a special bond regardless of his disability and his inability to hear, and I would definitely consider him to be the best big brother in the world. Joey, who is the middle child, is on the more mild level of the spectrum, where he still has behaviors and outbursts but he is much more independent than Anthony is. The doctors diagnosed Joey with Autism at a very young age, along with other complications; but he never let any of that hold him back. He is not only smart, but he is probably one of the funniest people that I know. I admire the fact that he is never afraid to say what is on his mind, even if he is speaking to a stranger. To me, Autism is a blessing in disguise, and not something that should always be talked about in a negative context. They are able to teach us so many things about the world because they take the time to pay attention to those things that we often forget about. I know that Anthony and Joey have taught me to pay more attention to the little things in life and to always appreciate what I have. They truly are an inspiration to me, and I don't know where I would be without them.

Stephanie Kurtz
Warren, MI

A Little Boy With A Big Personality

When Charlie Macuto Gebel was born on November 8, 2007, my family didn't know what to expect. I was almost 15 when he came into the world, so I was to be a very big brother to him. Little did my family know how difficult it would be to take care of him.
It started with a whimper. Then, some wild vocalizations. When Charlie was 2 years old, he was a very picky eater. His BMI was pretty low to the point of hospitalization where he had a feeding tube for four months. At this point, I was a budding YouTube personality, carrying around a Sony Handycam, recording things I like to do in every day life. Charlie REALLY liked my camcorder. In fact, I remember when Mom took us to the Philippines to see her family, and I recorded this one video where Charlie REALLY wanted to play with my video camera. He was still non-vocal at the time, and we started to notice that he really liked fans. Not fans as in an audience; fans as in the tools that help keep you cool. This fascination turned into a full-blown obsession with anything that could spin, from the wheel on "Wheel of Fortune" to the fan blades of a passenger airliner. He was obsessed.
It wasn't long that he figured out how to use the computer and began watching crazy Minecraft videos on Youtube. You could say it was partially my fault because I naively let him use my channel (don't ask). Then he started doing these repeated routines, actually acting out the videos he saw or just repeating what they're saying. When he said the sh-word, Mom tried to punish him, which brings me to another thing about Charlie.
As you may have guessed, Charlie is autistic, which means he interprets the world very differently than other people. My Mom is a kind but strict Filipino, so when she slaps Charlie in the butt, he misinterprets the slap as a playful hit like it's some sort of game to him. I know this because I'm autistic, too.

Christopher Macuto Gebel
West Chester, PA

Izak's Story

Izak's Story

Izak was a normal functioning baby until he was about a year. Between 12-18 months old Izak had a full developmental regression.

At his 18 month check up we discussed our concerns that he was no longer speaking, could no longer run, was very clumsy, obsessive with toys, and not interested in other kids. We were sent to Neurology for evaluation where he underwent every possible genetic testing and it was determined it was a developmental issue. After more testing by a Physiologist we were told Izak was on the Autism Spectrum and started intensive ABA, OT & speech therapy.

Izak was officially diagnosed with "High Functioning Autism" June 2010 just before his 3rd birthday. I am beyond grateful for all the therapy received and early intervention which made such an impact on Izak and his development.

Right now Izak is in Kindergarten and is excelling in Reading and Math but is having issues in writing where it requires him to express his thoughts into words.

Overall the journey over the last 3 1/2 years has been a learning experience for all of us but I wouldn't change it for the world. My son is sweet, compassionate, and kind hearted. He has taught me to have patience and look at things through his eyes in ways I've never seen before. I will continue to grow with him and accept any new challenges Autism or life throws at us.

Kristen O.
Poway, CA

Ein's Story

Ein's Story

Ein was born at 35 weeks, and he seemed perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes. It wasnt until he started missing significant milestones that we suspected something was wrong. We took him to his pediatrician, and she recommended we put him in a therapy preschool. My husband and I agreed, naturally wanting whats best for Ein. Hes been in therapy preschool for 2 years now, and we have seen major improvement. Hes still very behind though. Hes 3 now, and still doesnt talk and still isnt potty trained, but we're getting there. I remain hopeful that he continues to improve and grow, but even if he stops right now, he will always be my baby boy! Love my son!

Anonymous
Jacksonville, AR

Autism princess Emma

My Wee woman Emma was born in march 09 @ 6 weeks prem, Things where not good from get go, Emma had to have 9 ops in the 1st 2 weeks of her wee tiny life and was on life support for first 3 weeks but she never give up fought hard and got through it @ 2 months old we finally got her home, it was the best day of my life, Emma was always behind in her milestones from crawling to walking we had put this down to being prem and the wee start she had in life.Emma was a very smiley love-able baby we continued with more appointments then found out she needed to wear a hearing aid in one ear and a vent in another, I was still convinced there was something else going on as Emma never spoke and tended to play with the same objects continually lining them up in the same order. In April 2012 we Had her tested for autism, within 20 mins of walking in we where told Emma Has severe Autism, i wasnt annoyed a tiny bit upset as i was expecting it, if im to b honest it was a relieve as i now knew the proper people can help me and most of all help Emma. At present Emma is comin 5 in march this year she is still non-verbal has many melt downs, still in diapers but i love her so much dont get me wrong its hard and exhausting most of the time but i have to say im the proudest autism mom ever and together my princess,myself and her daddy will conquer the Autism world. In My opinion all u Autism moms and dads out there r special and r blessed with the most beautiful children in the world... xxxxxx

sarah kane
Newry Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

im not autistic, but because of the way i am i sometimes wonder

I was born in Houston Texas on August 17, 1990, and from the first time I can ever remember I was being made fun of, I didn't ever know why. I remember only having a few friends throughout Jr high and high school, I was taken out of public school for disruptive behavior and put into a private school, my ADHD and depression were always very complicating, I thought I would fit in more if I did the things that the cool kids do and smoke weed and drink on lunch break, so I did.
in college I continued this low self esteem behavior thinking id fit in more, not knowing that because of my actions I would end up with a DUI, an assault charge, heavy drug and alcohol abuse, and multiple suicide attempts,
to this day on January 19, 2014, I still have suicidal thoughts, alcohol and drug addictions, and very very few friends.

Joseph Lami
Houston, TX

Austin's Journey

Austin's Journey

The other day, my son Austin was doing his normal daily routine. He was pacing and running from room to room when he stopped and said,"Mom, you know I'm really Autistic." I said, " Yes you are and do you remember what we said that meant." He said, "That means I have an eccentric side!" How funny and true was that statement. I sat there and laughed at what a wonderful kid that I have and started to realize how blessed I am to be his mom. He has come a long way from the boy who played with grass and did not talk to anyone.
I remember those days so well. Austin was almost 3 when we first noticed things that we thought of as odd behaviors. He walked late as a toddler but once he got the hang of it, he often would enter a room and run a complete lap around it and then leave. His day care teachers thought he may have had hearing loss because he never spoke to them. We thought that was possible because he was plagued with ear infections as a baby. Referral and testing and then sadness followed when we got the Autism diagnosis.
We went through the grieving stage and constant worries of what life was going to be like for him. That was short lived because we were determined for him to live as full of life as anyone. We did everything we could to make sure that he had the same experiences as other children.
Now, he is 18 and I look at him and smile everyday. He still struggles with social cues but what a young man he has become. He talks a lot now and is a Science guru. He loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking,camping and seeing new places. and I still worry but life is a challenge for anyone, isn't it? If I could tell parents anything, it would be to stay strong and never give up. Believe in your child. Amazing things can happen along the journey.

Beverly Shields
Stanley, NC

Just a little more time

Just a little more time

From the moment of his first cries, I knew in my heart something was not right. My little guy as he grew, refused to nurse, took tiny little naps that lasted only a few minutes, he could not sleep at night, would rub his feet together as an infant to remove his socks. At age one, he was walking and finding unusual things to get into; such as the back of his battery toys, removing the battery packs and using the string to put into his mouth. By the age of two, my little guy had learned to escape like Houdini. He went from talking words to pointing and grunting. He would not eat, refused foods and would turn away anytime food was presented on a spoon. There was not a lot of eye contact at all, mainly for only brief moments and then to stair off in the direct distance. My little guy had food allergies, asthma, and developed eczema at a very early age.

My son is now 10 years old and despite the many learning curves on my end, not his. I have come to appreciate a beautiful autism world. Where sounds are explored and so intense, lights shine brighter than what I thought, melt downs mean everything, and clothing has to be only snaps. I never knew butterflies had so many colors or their wings made such a flapping sound. I had no idea on a blue sky day, the white clouds could mingle so they would not be alone. The learning of Tomas, Star Wars, the presidents, the national history of our country could be looked at in a new perspective. That a grocery store trip meant that I had to speed up and why. That the shoes I use to walk on the hardwood floors inside our home, left a traveling sound.

Son, I just need a little more time to keep learning, and I promise I will learn all there is about your world. The world as you know it and all the beauty it holds.

I love you endlessly,
Mom.

Anonymous
Brownsburg, IN

not the same

When I was diagnosed with Asbergers 12 years ago, I didn't think anything of it. My mom still loved me and treated me the same way. The people at my school didn't make fun of me. I remained mainstreamed, graduated from high school in the top 1/3 of my class and started college. I have a job and I am engaged to be married. I am high functioning. In college I was made fun of for the first time. I had a melt down. They happen. When my daily system gets messed with my whole day gets out of whack. I was called "retarded". I didn't understand. My mom couldn't explain it to me. So I looked into it. The person had no problem with me until my unusualness showed. Then I became their target. I spent 8 years believing that my autism wasn't noticeable. I realized then that in was wrong. I do things that show my colors. I don't get sarcasm or jokes. I overthink everything. I cannot be touched. But I have sense realized that the diagnosis of the spectrum is not a one size fits all. My autism is different from the young man down the street from me. I don't feel stupid or different, I feel beautifully unique and blessed. Some people have it a million times worse than myself, and others better. I love myself.

Michellee Jewell
Ashtabula, OH