tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post112380328890026762..comments2023-06-22T06:51:14.002-05:00Comments on 29 Marbles: CNN.com - Parents in trenches of autism services - Aug 10, 2005Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post-1123972387707563342005-08-13T17:33:00.000-05:002005-08-13T17:33:00.000-05:00John,Hope is certainly key, and I agree it is some...John,<BR/><BR/>Hope is certainly key, and I agree it is sometimes hard to stay optimistic. If you had asked me what I thought 10 years ago, when we were about a year or two into the whole thing, I'm sure my answer would have been different. We didn't know if Zeke would ever be verbal (he is), and if so would he ever be able to converse and show emotion (he does, in his own way of course).<BR/><BR/>We've been fortunate so far, but like you we are also thinking ahead. Will he be able to live on his own? No way to know yet. Will he be able to have a meaningful career (think Temple Grandin), or will he have to settle for something more mundane. <BR/><BR/>And, yes, we also think about what will happen when we are gone. Fortunately for us, Zeke has a best friend in his younger brother Ian and this relieves some of that.Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05692538865185004176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post-1123906740457742902005-08-12T23:19:00.000-05:002005-08-12T23:19:00.000-05:00While we're doing everything we can to assure our ...While we're doing everything we can to assure our son a more "normal" life, I still think of his ASD as a gift. I get to celebrate a new step forward every day. When I look back on the last year or so of biomedical treatment, I see miracle in progress.Wade Rankinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12986780783735604000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post-1123862416685949812005-08-12T11:00:00.000-05:002005-08-12T11:00:00.000-05:00Hi Bret.I certainly understand your perspective an...Hi Bret.<BR/><BR/>I certainly understand your perspective and agree with most of what you have written here. However, my concern and "regret" and "dissappointment" comes from knowing that my child is suffering. As parents we've learned more than I thought possible and that has been great - but it hasn't helped our son much. He's non-verbal, self-injurious, and just generally unhappy. Throw in the fact that he'll probably be placed in a home at some point and may have sub-optimal care once we pass away and it's hard to stay optimistic.<BR/><BR/>That said, it is hope that keeps us alive.<BR/><BR/>I just started reading your site. Looking forward to reading more...<BR/><BR/>-John, http://jaiden.net/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com