How This Works

I want to say that I have come along way since I was told at age 7 that I was autsic but 5 years later that I have Fragile X syndrome which is related to autism. I have been living on my own since age 21, drive my own car (my mom taught me how to drive) and got me tested in billings, Mt to see if I could drive, I also work at a local gym every Monday, and volunteer at a local animal shelter. I don't see my self or my buddies as having disorders. I am involved in Montana Special Olympics and other non-profit groups here in Bozeman,Mt. I even have a yellow lab female fixed named "Beauty" DeBernardis who is 8 years old and is the love of my life. I personally kick the negative out the door and focus on the good in my life and others. As parents of special needs kids that they go through the FEAR stage and lets not let FEAR in to let our kids be successful and let them live independently. I am not giving up on my long-term goals in my life.
posted by Amy DeBernardis on 10/21/07 6:56: PM

I am a mother of three children with varying degrees of Autism. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video!!! And to see all these pages of comments makes it even more incredible. To all who might be losing any hope, I've just been having mine renewed. My son at age six who has been labelled nonverbal all his life is starting to talk just in the last couple of months!!! With every new word he says I want to shout it out to the world!!!! Even when he mispronounced Frog, for the "F"word... And this morning when he awoke he announced "Shrek Movie"!!!
posted by Tammy on 10/21/07 3:26: AM

What a beautiful video/song! My 4 year old has fragile x with no diagnosis of autism yet. I will fight to keep him in this world. I know so many others are not so fortunate. We have to do something to save these children. Its up to us. Thanks for the beautiful thought. Someday, IT will be in the history books as will ALL childhood ailments.
posted by Patricia on 10/20/07 8:07: PM

What kind of world do I want I wish that my child be treated as an individual-not pigeon holed as the end result of batteries of test taken over the lenght of his life. I wish for his doctors, therapists, teacher, aides to see that he is more than numbers on a graph or points on a line....that his test measure what he may do, NOT what he will do. I wish that they all would see the person that he is --so different from the dozens that they see every day, or the thousands they see every year. I wish that they would see the BIG BLUE eyed, beautiful, giggling little boy with all opportunities ahead of him, not patient client #xxx with his limitations bound to him like shackles. I wish for his happiness. I wish that my son will have all the tools he will need to live his life to his fullest extent. I wish that he will have an adequate education to prepare him for his life ahead, and that he will have the community, friends, teachers, therapists and aides he will need to grow and develop to his greatest potential. Lastly I wish that he will be cared for cherished and loved as long as he lives by loving parents while we are alive, and by a loving circle of family and friends when we are gone. I wish with all my heart that he will be prepared to live in the community and be able to make a contribution to socity in a meaningful way TO HIM. I wish he will be prepared financially and emotionally to live his life fully, not to be dependent on others, but able to have what he needs without worry for as long as he lives. Thats what kind of world I want for my 8 year old son who has autism. This is what I know EARLY intervention, OT, Speech Therapy, Sensory It has been our life weve lived it at 2 they riped my heart out he will never this and that etc. etc. at 8 he goes to a regular school with a one on one. He knows more about this computer than I ever will. Want to talk animals hes your man. I will never forget the day I Finally heard I love you mommy What amazes me the most about autistic children is they are all different but the same in so many ways. The hand flapping he finally could tell me "I do it when Im excited" What a gift from God they are. They REALLY make you look at the world in a different way they are so honest and straight forward and very loving. What kind of world would it be if we were all that way???? Thank you Jacob because of you I am a better person you make me see the world through all new eyes and you are the Best thing that has ever happened to me. Parents I know the hill is upward and the fight is long but dont give up OUR KIDS are such a blessing in so many ways! To the band Thank you for this video it touched my heart.
posted by Dianna on 10/20/07 7:59: PM

Thank you for this beautiful video and great song. I have a 16 year old with autism who is fairly high functioning. Some days are very challenging and others are easy. Never the same. We adopted him at the age of 8 and it took me 3 years to get him diagnosed as I knew something was wrong; He is making great progress in a program here that concentrates on life and social skills. In fact he is flourishing. I wish to thank all the people who work with him for getting him to the point we are today. god bless e1 especially the children.
posted by lisa on 10/20/07 10:03: AM

I am a great aunt of truly amazing young man 13 years of age. In 2 weeks Joshua will be Bar Mitzvah'd and we are very proud of his accomplishments. Thank you for the support given by teachers, schools and everyone that shares and wants to help.
posted by Barbara on 10/19/07 8:36: AM

AWESOME.......simply AWESOME !!! Thank you so much !!!
posted by Amy Gunville on 10/18/07 7:58: AM

My Husband and I adopted our son Skylar at the age of 21/2 years old, but we have had him since he was 2 weeks old (we were his fifth foster home). He is now 6 years old, he has high functioning Autism. He also has Epilepsy. He is a very smart little boy. He start running his own computer programs at the age of 2 years old. I have to say he is a gift from god. We also have 4 bio childern. Skylar is our youngest child. We are very happy to have him in our life.
posted by Brenda Petterson on 10/18/07 7:14: AM

I`m a dad of 5 boys and my third son has autism , life won`t not be the same with out him,just hope some day some one can figure this out !!!!!!
posted by john Born jr on 10/18/07 3:00: AM

My daughter Mikhaela is a nearly 16 year old with high functioning autism. She has worked extremely hard and continues to work to stay connected to our world. I first saw this video this past winter and visit it often. Thank you Five For Fighting and Autism Speaks. We certainly have come along way from being told to give up and look for an institutional placement. Thanks to therapy, not only can Mikhaela tie her shoes and ride a bike, she's college bound!!!
posted by Mary Lynn on 10/15/07 7:44: PM

As an aspie i deeply thank you.
posted by Marissa Rubin on 10/15/07 5:16: AM

I have aspergers and this video really touched me in many ways. It helped show me that many kids/people have autism. I hope that all the money being donated will be put to good use. im very glade someone made this video.
posted by david on 10/14/07 3:25: PM

My son is autistic, and I couldn't imagine my life with out him. He is the joy in my heart and light in my day. Everyone needs to use their words and actions to make a difference in someone’s life. Parents and children need your help. Thanks for the beautiful song, it really touched my heart.
posted by Jennifer on 10/13/07 1:10: PM

I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with Children that have Autism. This video brings tears in my eyes and lets the world know that we are all fighting to find a cure. An amazing video
posted by Megan Smith on 10/12/07 10:49: PM

I am the father of a 4 year old boy who was recently diagnosed with Autism. It is amazing to me how prevalent this disorder is and the lack of funding there is for research. Thank you, Five for Fighting, for doing your part. Let's all get together to find a cure!
posted by Brian on 10/12/07 9:15: PM

I am greatgrandmother to a very special very bright boy. He is touched with autism so we are aware. Blessings to all of you who deal with these special children.
posted by Corinne LaLuzerne on 10/12/07 9:54: AM

I am greatgrandmother to a very special very bright boy. He is touched with autism so we are aware. Blessings to all of you who deal with these special children.
posted by Corinne LaLuzerne on 10/12/07 9:54: AM

I am greatgrandmother to a very special very bright boy. He is touched with autism so we are aware. Blessings to all of you who deal with these special children.
posted by Corinne LaLuzerne on 10/12/07 9:54: AM

I am greatgrandmother to a very special very bright boy. He is touched with autism so we are aware. Blessings to all of you who deal with these special children.
posted by Corinne LaLuzerne on 10/12/07 9:54: AM

I am greatgrandmother to a very special very bright boy. He is touched with autism so we are aware. Blessings to all of you who deal with these special children.
posted by Corinne LaLuzerne on 10/12/07 9:54: AM