How This Works

I have a 10 year old son that was recently diagnosed with asberger's syndrome. You have absolutely nailed exactly how I felt. I want to thank you for lightening the load for me by helping me see that I am not alone. These children are so precious. God Bless you!
posted by steve on 5/03/07 2:02: PM

My son was diagnosed at 3 years with Autism, he is now 6 1/2. He is the joy of my life. I cried the entire video. Thank you for showing how special and bright these children really are.
posted by Cyrena on 5/02/07 3:52: PM

As I wipe the tears I want you to know how much I appreciate your video. I have an 8 year old son with Aspberger's Syndrome, and I am also a special education teacher. I have had to fight for a diagnosis for many years, but because of my background I was not believed. Never stop advocating for your children, because even the experts do not always know what is best for your child. God Bless You!
posted by Suzanne on 5/02/07 3:27: PM

I have a fifteen year old with Aspergers syndrome. Your video brought me to tears. You spoke for me and many parents who have the feelings you expressed but feel no one understands...............Thank you
posted by toni on 5/01/07 9:36: PM

Im not a parent im a student and I cried. Im a highschol student who watched this video in my psychlogy class and I feel for all parents in this struggle. IF there is one thing I can do it is to understand and feel for every parent and child. Hoping for answers. My prayers are with every parent and autistic child.
posted by Melissa on 5/01/07 7:21: PM

I pray that we find the cause before it gets to more of our loved ones!
posted by Sharon Hein on 5/01/07 1:42: PM

Thank you for expresing so good all my feelings for my life now after autism find us. I hope this video will help all the people understand us. We really need that just to go on our life! I am sending you my support from Greece.
posted by Angela on 4/30/07 10:09: AM

We posted our vid so friends and family so could see our journey. What we found is so much love and support from families like yours. Thank you for being so honest in your life, we too grieve for what might be and tire of constant therapies, learning, and general stress. But this site has encouraged us more than we ever could express in words. Thank you for bringing tears to the surface, it helps heals pain on many levels. Marco's Dad
posted by Dan on 4/29/07 1:43: PM

Thank you for saying all the things all of us as parents of autistic children wish people could know... its incredibly hard and yet.. That one smile when he "comes back to me" for a tiny bit makes life worth living... We are more challenged and more blessed than anyone realizes. Bless you for making this.
posted by Lorena on 4/28/07 7:48: PM

My sister forwarded this to me. She has a six year old diagnosed with Autism. Everything said in the video is Aidan. Trains are his thing, but there really are those fleeting moments when you look in his eyes and he UNDERSTANDS the love you have for him. My own son, now 21 months, receives speech, behavior and occupational therapies. Sam's scores were nearly identical to Aidan's at 18 months.
posted by Andrea on 4/28/07 2:25: PM

Melinda Ethington forwarded this to me, and all I did was cry. Everyone thinks life is so easy, huh? You have the nicest of everything yet they have no idea the challenges you are faced with each and every day. I am a victim of Muliple Sclerosis (MS). I look so normal, but when I lose my balance, pee in my pants, or trip on "nothing", people look at me like I am crazy (all cuased by my symptoms) or drunk. I can relate to this video so much!!! People need to understand autism and MS before passing judgment! I will be forwarding this to a friend of mine who has a 4 yr old nephew with autissm. They are going through the same thing you are faced with each and everyday! You will be in my prayers each and everyday...and you can bet I will forward this to others. Nice job! Keep the Faith!!!
posted by Page in Orlando on 4/28/07 10:31: AM

Love the video. It is very heartfelt and brings me to tears. Tears of joy to know that I am not alone in my daily challenges with my own child. I love him more than my own life and I thank God for bringing him into my world. Thanks again!
posted by Nija Mallory on 4/28/07 9:48: AM

Your video was indeed touching. It was forwarded to me by a dear friend (Mario Rapanaro), to whom I am indebted, for allowing me to share a small piece of your journey. As a father of a grown daughter, who has just stumbled onto a very serious illness, I recognize your special feeling for a child. A child, at any age, is still the most wonderful thing any of us can have the priviledge of sharing. My creed has become: love your child as though there is no tomorrow, so that they will never take a step without knowing a parent's love. God be with you. rc
posted by rich camlin on 4/28/07 8:12: AM

I had to wait for the tears to stop before I could type my comment. Thanks for being willing to tell your story -- and that of the rest of us, too.
posted by Stephanie on 4/28/07 7:38: AM

Your video brought tears to my eyes. I am the parent of 3 year old twins, a boy and girl, and my son was diagnosed with autism last year. They were born 14 weeks premature and have had an amazing journey of recovery, but just as I felt we were exiting the fog of that challenge, Benjamin's diagnosis came and I felt the fog come back. He is a sweet, funny, and loving child and is making great progress, but all the questions you raised in your video are mine. It's so great to see that others are feeling what we do and understand, because so often I feel people don't. I'm happy to hear about all the things my friends' toddlers are doing, but hide tears behind my smile when I say, "Ben's not doing that yet." Thank you for giving parents dealing with autism a voice.
posted by Lisa Stringfellow on 4/28/07 7:34: AM

What a beautiful tribute to all who must embrace autism in their lives 24/7! As a Speech/Language Pathologist, I truly empathize with you, support, teach, and learn as we progress through each day. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts. Prayers and love to your family.
posted by Gay on 4/28/07 6:10: AM

I wasn't going to take the time to go to this site to watch "a video", but I am glad I did. You did a geat job with it. Your words brought tears to my eyes. I know your family gives you the very important love and support you need. I am sure you must have asked God, "Why me?". Some people say God only gives us what we can handle. If that is true, you and your husband are strong people.
posted by Mario Rapanaro on 4/28/07 5:49: AM

This is incrediable..I take a child on the odd weekends to work with thru a program in our chuch. Although I give all I got to teach and love each child that comes to me. I never fully understood how the parent felt. Even thou most of the children I have taken have been abandonded by thier parents, I think I might have a bit more understanding as to what and why they ran, perhaps lack of understanding, lack of fear to provide. I treasure these times with each one. My latest boy is 9 with and he's been coming here for almost a year now. I always said these children are special angels. Bless you for making this great video.
posted by Janet on 4/28/07 3:54: AM

Every child has special needs... we just don't see it on the faces of them all. This battle just can't be fought privately. Peace to you and your family. Peace to those to don't understand.
posted by Adenia on 4/27/07 7:47: PM

What a wonderful video to show others there is always a silver lining in a storm cloud. Absolutely wonderful...
posted by crystal on 4/27/07 11:13: AM