January 6, 2010 everything changed. The life we thought, dreamt and hoped for was now different. January 6, 2010 Devan received his official Autism diagnosis - Classic Autism, Anxiety, Sleep deprivation, Hypotonia, Developmental Language disorder to be exact.
Over the years we have chosen to raise money for Autism Speaks. We have been very involved and we would not change a single penny raised for them! With that being said - over the 5 years wehave raised close to $50,000 for Autism Speaks.
Kevin and I begun to get a little unsettled with our never ending finacial obligation to Autism. Autism Speaks reports to support a child with Autism each year is close to $60,000 per year (if not more). The cost/expense depends on doctors, diets, school, attorney fees, therapies, transportation, sensory needs, etc... It's an endless battle and has been for us for 5 years. I think about going back to work everyday but with Devan's crazy schedule and doing our best to keep Ava's life as normal as possible it is impossible right now for that to happen.
This is the year that we have chosen to raise money strictly for Devan and his education. We will still walk for Walk Now for Autism Speaks on April 26, 2015. But this year we find it ever so important to keep Devan - SAFE, happy and learning in the best environment for him to excel.
“Only a parent of a child with special needs can ever understand the struggles, and the financial commitment, of raising and recovering an autistic child. It’s an endless battle — and an expensive one.” by anonymous
“It can get a lot better, and it does. But it takes a whole lot of money to get there.” by anonymous
"Autism is a neurological disorder. It's not caused by bad parenting. It's caused by, you know, abnormal development in the brain. The emotional circuits in the brain are abnormal. And there also are differences in the white matter, which is the brain's computer cables that hook up the different brain departments." by Temple Grandin
"I look at autism like a bus accident, and you don't become cured from a bus accident, but you can recover." by Jenny McCarthy
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and hear about our story. We are grateful for whatever anyone can contribute.
Our Love,
Kevin & Dawn
He is our Mr Incredible!