Tuesday, 23 November 2010

• I did it!

  

  I did it!

  I walked for my first time for Autism Speaks, Walk Now for Autism at Angel Stadium, CA on November 13th. I walked in honor of my daughter, and those on the Autism Spectrum. One out of 110 children are being diagnosed with Autism everyday, so chances are you met someone with Autism and didn't even know it. Early intervention is the key!

  My daughter never spoke, I didn't think anything of it.  I was a late talker, and plus my Pediatrician said it was fine - she would talk on her own. One day when she turned 2 years old, I was so excited. There was a child care drop in center around the corner, and for you to drop off your child - she had to be 2.  So I walk in, and my daughter was in awe of all the toys, children running around, and the brightly colored walls.  The employee behind the counter begins telling me about the drop in center, rules and such and asks for my daughters name. She calls out to my daughter several times, each time being louder. I told her that she doesn't know her that's why she wasn't responding.  Then she asks my daughter to take off her shoes - which she didn't.  I told the employee that I am to blame, I haven't taught her to take them off, that I always did it for her. She proceeds on telling me, "that its something learned, that all children do it naturally"... as she opens the small child proof door, my daughter runs inside.

   

  Then she asks me if something is wrong with my daughter, if she has Autism. I was shocked, I didn't know what it was but it sounded terrible. I told her "how horrible she would say something like that, that she has no customer service skills!"  And so I left.

  I went back to our Ped, who once again, "oh she is fine" but I demanded a referral to a speech pathologist, who tested her and then referred me to the Regional Center. They in turn sent me to a Developmental Therapist - and my heart sank at how low she tested at.  From there, to the Neurologist and so forth and it clicked all her self injury behaviors, banging her head on the floor and walls, her screaming, her eloping.  Meanwhile, I started shutting everyone from my life, my family whom some didn't understand. My friends, some who didn't return my calls. For two years, I kept to myself, and stayed in denial. I did get home ABA therapy, she was in Autism preschool and received speech therapy -  30 hours a week of therapy, my poor baby. But I couldn't deal with the public, the stares, the whispers.

  One day while shopping at Target, I was pushing my double stroller when the stores intercom blared, with static.  It was horrible, my daughter covered her ears and screamed. Meanwhile, I hear a Man telling his daughter that if she behaved like my daughter he would spank her. That was my breaking point, that is when I accepted my daughter had PDD-NOS and was on the Autism Spectrum.  I yelled at him, to "shut his mouth, my daughter has Autism. Karma is a bitch, and I would never wish this on anyone, not even my worst enemy."

  I left in tears. And that's when I decided no more feeling sorry for myself, time to embrace this and be stronger. I am my child's advocate, I am her voice!

  So I began talking about Autism, opening up with family and friends.  I surrounded myself and my daughter with others on this journey, and I love being there for those who just began. I thank my friends who speak my language! I appreciate them so much in my life.

  With all the therapies she has been receiving, and her hard work - she began talking a few months shy of her 5th birthday. She still has a lot of babble and jargon but says complete sentences.  I love asking her how her day was at school.

  So while promoting for the Walk Now for Autism, I would post on Facebook, send emails and I was happy and so thrilled of how my family and friends are so supportive!  I thank them from the bottom of my heart! The day of the walk I became an emotional wreck - I couldn't help my eyes from watering at the unity! I would walk and see how many families were impacted by ASD and think, my God, I am not alone after all. I loved the experience, and want to do it again next year and the following year.  I hope to bring in lots of family members and friends and wear matching shirts and cheer for my daughter because we are Ari's Avengers!

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