7/27/2019 Special Child Success Story
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SPECIAL CHILD SUCCESS STORY:
My daughter, Aimee, is autistic. She didnt talk and would not
give me any eye contact. I had traveled to visit my mother, and
before I left, I had purchased pull-ups for nighttime, but I forgot
to bring them.
It was evening and Aimee had some orange juice. She gave me the
sign language for more. I then said (more or less to myself rather
than her), "Oh, I forgot thepull-ups. Im afraid if you have too
much to drink youll wet the bed. I shouldve brought them." She
continued to sign "more." I continued to mutter. Finally, she
looked me in the eyes, and fervently said, "I," pointing to
herself, "want more,"giving sign for more, "or-ange juice, please."
Needless to say she got her juice! - L.T., Hamilton, NJ
I am not a parent, but a proud older sister of a 15-year-old
brother who is blind and autistic. As a child, Meir would
constantly get upset when something wouldbother him. Getting upset
included screaming uncontrollably and getting completely out of
hand. With the loving and constant guidance of my parents, Meir
(eventhough he has a long way to go), expresses himself way better
than before. - S.S., Brooklyn, NY
My youngest son, Brayden, was born three months premature with
heart and brain defects. He is now 4 years old. He is
multi-handicapable. When he was young, thedoctors told us he
probably wouldn't survive, much less ever sit, walk, talk, or
eat. He began eating orally a year and a half ago. He began
talking one year ago, and is now nearly age appropriate in
expressive communication! The most exciting accomplishment,
however, is his walking. He had a bilateral tendon release on his
hamstrings and gastrocs last November. Since recovering from the
surgery,he began pulling to stand, cruising furniture, and could
take up to 6 independent steps, even without his walker! Only other
parents of children with special needs can understand the intense
emotion that surrounds such feats!
Now, he is walking around the house with little assistance and
now able to squatto pick something up and stand up again without
help!! I cannot wait for the day that he can walk up to those
nay-saying doctors and show them who is really incharge!! - J.B.,
Bartlesville, OK
My almost 7-year-old is only about 4 months in her development
and very tiny (the size of a 15-month-old). She has never done
anything "age appropriate" til now... she just lost her first tooth
and has 3 more loose ones, just like a "normal" 6-year-old. It's
funny to see my family so excited about something so small tomost
people. - J.J., Denton, MD
I would like to share with you my story of my son. "S" was born
at 26 weeks gestation weighing 880 grams (1 lb. 15 oz). After 81
days in the NICU and a typicalcourse of being a preemie with all of
their complications, he came home weighing4 lbs. 3 oz. Such a joy!
He received early intervention services for a time, but was
discharged after about a year because he was hitting his
developmental milestones and seemed to be on track.
When he was 18 months old, we were in a car wreck which left him
a low-level quadriplegic. After five months of the ICU, rehab, and
another stay in the ICU, hecame home. Such a joy! He again received
early intervention services under a newdiagnosis and later was
transitioned into the school system for services. He has since had
multiple hospitalizations for pneumonia, seizures, and surgeries
(the most recent being anterior and posterior spinal fusion).
"S" is now 13 years old and a Boy Scout Second Class. Two weeks
ago he was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society - SUCH A
JOY! I am very proud of my son! - A.S., Fredericksburg, VA
