Jack's tuition to Riverview School

"Iam often asked to describe the experience of raising a child that isn't typical. To try to help people understand and try to imagine how it would feel, I've broken it down like this.
When you're going to have a baby,it's like planning a fabulous vacation to Italy. You buy guide books learn to speak the language.You even make wonderful plans to site see.Its all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation and the day finally arrives you pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later your plane lands and the stewardess says" welcome to Holland" to which you reply " Holland, I signed up for Italy"
Ther was a change in flight plans, so you must go out and buy new guide books,and learn maybe a whole new language.
Everyone you know is coming and going to Italy. The important thing to remember is that there isn't anything wrong with Holland it's just different.
If you spend all your time mourning Italy, you will never g et to see how lovely and special Holland actually is"!


My  son Jack is 16 years old, and I have been advocating for him ,his whole life. Early intervention,IEP's etc. etc. 
Jack  was just being pushed along in the public school system, and there really wasn't anyone in the school system that would help me. So I googled schools for kids like Jack, and only a few specific schools came up.  I hired a lawyer and an advocate ,I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew I owed it to Jack to try. He had no friends he cried every day, and actually talked about dying. It was painful to say the least.   I am determined to make it work, and Jack is thriving at Riverview.   I will do what ever I can to make this happen for Jack. We sold our house, we send every dime to Riverview, and it is so worth it. My son has friends lots of them and is the happiest I have ever seen him. Jack is becoming a success story and I have to say I have never been prouder to say Iam from Holland..