How This Works

Up until roughly 5 years ago I had no idea what autism was, never even heard of it. My nephew Emiliano was diagnosed with Autism by the time he was two and a half years old. He has been receiving personalized treatment for the last few years and his developmental improvement has been dramatic...all thanks to the support, dedication, and encouragement that his mother (my sister) and his father (my brother-in-law) have put forth to ensure a better future for their son (my godson) Emiliano. I'm very proud of all of Emiliano's accomplishments and evolving successes, but most of all I am proud of his parents for always fighting until the bitter end to ensure a full, dignified, and inclusive life for him - which is a right that every child and every parent should fight for!
posted by Julian Becerra on 1/15/08 6:04: AM

Thank you so much for fighing for all the children who cannot fight for themselves. I will pass this on to everyone I know. Bless you Five for Fighting!
posted by Paige on 1/15/08 5:58: AM

Together we can help educate others on Autism!
posted by Shaun Murphy on 1/15/08 5:46: AM

I am a Special EDucation teacher in Florida and I see many forms of Autism daily. My heart goes out across the world to those teaching and raising children with Autism. God don't put more on us that we can't bare...so stay with the fight and God will definitely put faith and belief in our hearts that He will set many children like Claudia, living with Autism, free....she is our Little Miss Sunshine....along with the other beautiful children just like her.
posted by ANASTASIA on 1/15/08 5:38: AM

Glad to help as a teacher.
posted by Jeani on 1/15/08 5:27: AM

What a beautiful tribute. It brought tears to my eyes. I to am the mother of a child with autism and like so many others, appreciate the awareness that is being raised through this. It's a struggle everyday but how beautiful our children our and how fortunate we are to be blessed with them.
posted by Jenn on 1/15/08 5:16: AM

This video was very touching and I pray your message will be heard and acted on legislatively. God bless you.
posted by Mary Beth on 1/15/08 5:05: AM

As a parent with a 13 year old son with Autism/Aspergers, we were one of the lucky few to live in New York State where services are in abundance. Our son still has many uphill battles, but we hope and pray that Claudia can win some of hers. A beautiful way to get out our stories. Now the networks, especially NBC need to see this. Someone out there, please help this little girl to get the services that could change her life.
posted by Robin on 1/15/08 4:21: AM

Beatifully done! It brought tears to my eyes. As a mother of a 5 year old autistic boy, I can symphatize with Claudia's story. I am doing my best to help my son since the therapies he needs are out of our reach economically. He has made a lot of progress, but we still have a long way to go.
posted by Mel on 1/15/08 3:52: AM

I am a special education teacher to many children with Autism. My heart and prayers go out to all of the teachers and families dealing with Autism. My our Lord's grace and abundant peace be with us all.
posted by Leah on 1/15/08 3:35: AM

I am an Occupational Therapist that works in pediatrics and I could not agree more with the words of this video. These are precious children who deserve to have the intensive therapies that they so desperately need. I applaud these parents who are taking this stand and are pushing for the rights of their child. Thank you for allowing me to assist you not only in your fight for your daughter, but also for the rights of so many children diagnosed with autism.
posted by Moni Keen on 1/15/08 3:01: AM

Hi I am from Tasmania, Australia and have worked with autistic children in the past. This video is so beautiful and Claudia is such a beautiful girl and a credit to you. God bless you and your family.
posted by Helen on 1/15/08 12:09: AM

This video touched my heart. I have a grandson who has also been diagnosed with a form of autism. He too has difficulty communicating and meltdowns at school. It is very frustrating for my daughter. She is a wonderful mother and I pray for the day her life and cody's life are made a little easier.
posted by polly on 1/14/08 11:37: PM

As I look in the mirror...I see a grown man cry. This video brought tears to my eyes as my son who is 4 now still cannot express in words what he want and it makes me feel simply helpless. It's hard and there's no real answers.
posted by swo00p on 1/14/08 10:57: PM

My bestfriend's son is Autistic, I just saw him the day after his sixth birthday, I hadn't seen him since before his diagnosis which fortunately was caught while he was still in his early learning years. I get frustrated with my two healthy Teenagers then I stop and think what she has to challenge and I feel guilty for my feelings. These are beautiful children that my looking at them you would ever know. Her son walked through the living room this weekend asking for left over birthday cake and all I saw was a beautiful child and its so hard to understand why. One Healthy son and one who has challenges. I wish I could do more to help. I think I will let her know to show me how I can help her. I know sometimes she must feel overwhelmed as much as she would never admit it because of the love she has for her children. I get overwhelmed, I should and will do more this year to help her. If nothing else to let her know that I love her and will try to understand what I can do to help her.
posted by STACEY on 1/14/08 10:49: PM

That was beautiful. Thank you for fighting for the children who can't speak up.
posted by Kristi on 1/14/08 10:26: PM

Claudia like my son Emiliano, were diagnosed with autism when he was 2.5 years old and didn't start treatment until he was almost 3.5 years old. some people don't have compassion of us parents some time, they just like to judge when my son is having one of his episodes and it hurts a lot. So please think about it before you judge some one when they are not behaving "normal". Thank you to all of you who are supporting this cause. Claudia and Emiliano's parents and many other parents like us will thank you for life.
posted by Angélica on 1/14/08 10:05: PM

As the mother of an 8 year old with autism, I hope that all children will one day be able to get the intensive programs necessary and that a cure is found.
posted by Lara on 1/14/08 9:45: PM

This is a powerful video that both touches and tugs at one's heart strings. It is a beautiful presentation of an equally beautiful child. My younger sister is a speech pathologist in Houston and works within the school systems. This year the challenges that she faced, tripled. Two out of every ten children, in her various class rooms, are affected by autism. That number is unprescedented. She has "a way" with children, no matter the disability. They flock to and respond to her in a way that is also unprescented. God blessed her with the incredible gift of compassion and communication. She is not afraid to "become" one of them in order to help them achieve success...even if that success is the action of tearing paper as a means to calm the inner demons. She's right there, tearing paper and doing her best to make them laugh, learn and become able relate to the outside world. I wish all health related professions cared this deeply about their "charges". She's my hero and if you knew her, she would yours, as well.
posted by Mary Lynn Mabray on 1/14/08 9:41: PM

Beautiful video. Yey for Five for Fighting and other Wealthy people for making charitable donations to help the 'cause. I will do my part and pass it along. I don't agree that the government should be forcing private insurance companies to do more. That is not the government's job.
posted by Laura on 1/14/08 9:20: PM