I hope to help with my story and my passion to assist for people with autism

I am seeing a wonderful light at the other end of the tunnel. Here is part of my story and I hope it gives you all hope and inspires you and you can connect with me to learn more in the hopes of helping young adults with autism, and children with autism too!

My daughter, Tanya, 20 years old with autism, moved into adult foster care Jan 2, 2010 and it has been a bit of a roller coaster but as things have settled in for this year it is over all such a huge blessing for not only Tanya but our whole family. It not only has given Tanya more independence but it has also given me independence as well. I am very humbled to say that her disability would often let me loose a sense of who I am and still does if I am not careful. If I am not at peace with who I am I am not good for myself or others. I want all three of my daughters to thrive and be happy in life and I am finding more and more everyday that as they become happier, I become happier and the cycle continues.

I see Tanya, usually twice a week, I take her to the chiropractor and we workout together, we are together most of Saturday and I take her to church every Sunday. She adores church. And people at church adore her and comment often how much she has blossomed and opened up. Are minds are quieted at church as we meditate and Tanya loves that.. it has brought her to connect with more abstract ideas and it is so peaceful for her. It is so peaceful for ourselves together.

I admit it hurts that when I drop her off at her adult foster care I feel bad for a moment as I "hand her over" I have that "tinge" inside me thinking I am not a good mother by handing her over. BUT, ON THE CONTRARY, I see all the beauty and love that is given to her PLUS great experiences that I can not give her. She is growing and I am growing .I have come to peace knowing this is part of DIVINE ORDER.

I talk to Tanya on the phone at least twice a day. She beautifully rambles on and on about her day. Part of me just wants to go and pick her up and hold her... HOWEVER, I can do that all the time spiritually I don’t have to do it physically. And if I did it physically as much as I wanted, what good would that do her or me? Cutting the cord has been so tough yet, even more so, enlightening and so very beautiful in her growth and in my growth. And again, if she still lived with me I would be denying her the life of new friends, experiences and most of all her amazing growth and the growth of everyone that is in her life. And yes pain is part of growth, but so is, love, peace, joy, and fulfillment!

Please feel free to ask me any questions in the hopes that I can provide you with solutions to help your child.

From the heart,
Carol