Hello Family!

My name is Frances, and I’m the mother of a wonderful bright little boy named Rafael David. He is a joy to our friends and family. His laughter is contagious and his smile is so welcoming! To tell you a little about Rafael, he loves to recite the alphabet, loves to play with his cars and trucks ( Let’s not forget his love of trains ) and he can count all the way to 100 in song, however it wasn’t always that way. Just before Rafael turned 1 years old, we noticed some things that started happening. Lining up his favorite toys and always making sure they were symmetrical, arm flapping, not responding in any way to his name. Of course we as humans resort to internet searches and look up what these all mean. So we decided it’s best to get him evaluated by a pediatrician, however, evaluations are only done after a certain age, and so, that meant we had to ‘wait’.  

We expressed our concerns with our loved ones and felt a sense of security that we have our village and he’s going to be okay. Once all the evaluations were finalized (in the middle of the pandemic, through video call), we were told that Rafael was in fact diagnosed with Autism. And let me just say, to hear that broke my heart because your mind goes from 0 to a million in the matter of seconds and that’s mostly because you don’t understand completely what you’re being told. And the unknown is very scary! You sit there and just like any other mother we take the blame, we always ask HOW and WHY? And most certainly what is the next move to help my child.

Fast forward, Rafael has been in Speech, Occupational and Physical therapy since a little after his diagnosis. We’ve seen so much progress. He’s currently in Kindergarten and from what I’m seeing he loves it! He now knows how to write his name with both hands (ambidextrous), writes his number and alphabet and loves doing it! We are super proud of our little guy. Every achievement, every new word, and let me tell you every little new thing that most people don’t notice Rafael does.

The excitement in his eyes when he sees me at pick up, or when he achieves a new goal brings music to my heart and soul. And for this reason I am proud and overjoyed. We continue to embrace my sons ABILITY, we continue to encourage and celebrate all the new things he shows us!

I’m so grateful to know that he isn’t alone. 70 million children and adults with AUTISM were just added to my village!

Rafael is not weird, he is unique just like each and every one of us. I, we, will be his voice until he finds his. I will not allow a diagnosis as such to stop him from exploring the world, nor will I allow him to be an outcast!

He will STRIVE I know this!!

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It’s only through the dedicated support of people like us that Autism Speaks can continue their vital mission work. Each year, the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team makes direct contact with tens of thousands of individuals looking for advice or guidance and more than one million people access their free nationwide autism services and resources. They continue to partner and support research to improve the lives of people with autism by investing in science that will allow more personalized treatments and therapies. 

Please join me by donating to help me reach my fundraising goal. Together, we have the power to enhance the lives of people with autism and make a meaningful difference. Thanks so much for your support!