“If you can dream it, you can do it”

“If you can dream it, you can do it”

~Walt Disney

When Thomas was diagnosed with Autism, we were told there were going to be a lot of challenges. 15+ years ago I had never heard of the word Autism. I had no idea what it was and what to expect. There wasn’t as much knowledge and awareness like there is now. I couldn’t go on social media and find someone with Autism to know what to expect. I was going on this journey blind.

My dream was for my child to live the life he is living now. What you see today is years and years of hardwork by both of us for him to be where he is today. Thousands and Thousands of dollars spent taking him places so that he could one day be where he is now. It was very overwhelming for him in the beginning, but neither of us gave up. Everything was a challenge whether it would be the long car rides, how loud it was, surrounded by all kinds of people, etc.

I see comments often like “you’re lucky he’s so happy” or “you’re lucky he enjoys going places.” Luck has nothing to do with it. That speaks for me as a parent who did not want my child to be limited in having life experiences like everyone else. What you don’t see are the challenges to get where we are today. Never giving up.

I have always taken him places consistently since he was a baby. I always tell people with children with Autism to always start them out very young based on my own experiences. The longer you wait to expose them to what is out there, the harder it is going to be.

This page was never created to show the struggles of Autism. This page is to show the positiveness of Autism. To show the world how someone like Thomas explores, experiences, and sees the world.

#autism #autismawareness #autismacceptance #asd #specialneeds