Gabriel’s Story

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 150 people nationwide. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed than girls; almost four times as much. Autism has a broad spectrum of characteristics. Each person with autism is unique, with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some general characteristics are: failure to socialize, delays in speech or no speech, abnormal responses to sensory stimulation, and developmental delays.

Gabriel was diagnosed when he was two and a half. His story begins long before that. Gabriel is a twin who was born at 29 weeks gestation weighing almost 2 pounds. He spent two and a half months in NICU struggling to stay alive. When he finally came home I felt so blessed to finally have him home, the worst was behind us (so I thought). I remember the first year as being easy, typical newborn behaviors. Gabriel’s eating habits were great. He napped like a champ, he could even sleep through me vacuuming. But best of all he never cried. Gabriel was hitting all of his milestones, a little delayed but my doctor reassured that it was normal for preemies, especially for boys. Looking back now, there were red flags warning me what was to lay ahead. My “Ah-ha moment” came in 2005 when I was watching Gabriel play on the beach. He would bury himself in the sand, getting it in his eyes, mouth, and even his ears. It didn’t appear to bother him even a little bit.

Shortly after that I was talking to my sister, who is a speech-language pathologist in Ohio. I told her about Gabriel’s behavior at the beach. Then she asked if he was talking yet. I said no but the doctor says it’s normal. After careful consideration and observation, my sister disagreed with what the physicians had told me. After a long discussion, lots of tears, and a lot of persistence she convinced me to seek early intervention. Shortly afterwards, Babies Can’t Wait starting coming to my house to help me. I threw myself into a frenzy trying to “fix” Gabriel. We spent hours trying to get him to speak or even use sign language. Nothing was happening. After many months (and tears) I asked his therapist if she thought there was more to the situation beyond developmental delays. She told me I should have him evaluated. This came as no surprise to me, as there was a little part of me that just knew something else was wrong. Little did I realize, it was something that was going to have an enormous impact on his ability to communicate even basic wants and needs, let alone elaborate on feelings and interests. After several months of testing I received his diagnosis. I’ll never forget the ringing in my ears as I heard 3 little words: “Gabriel has autism.” My life as I knew it was destroyed. I cried a lot. I felt as if I was grieving the loss of a child who wasn’t dead. All of my hopes and dreams I had for his future were gone. Then one day I woke up and decided I was going to fight …. We were going to fight.

The last three years have been crazy to say the least. I have bombarded Gabriel with several types of therapy. He has an amazing team of therapists that lovingly pushed him to learn valuable tasks that most people take for granted. They have enlightened me with knowledge and guided me through Gabriel’s treatment. They even helped me locate Kiddos’ Clubhouse Foundation and scholarship. My family will forever be grateful to them.

The generous scholarship from Kiddos’ Clubhouse Foundation will help provide much needed ABA therapy for Gabriel that I could not otherwise give him. They are making it possible for us to continue our fight against autism. It is my hope that Gabriel will learn the much needed skills he needs to live a fulfilled life.

It has been a slow and painful journey for Gabriel and I, but we have learned a lot from each other along the way. Gabe has taught me that life isn’t always what you expect, but with love anything is possible. Gabriel is a happy four year-old boy who is full of spunk. He has his whole life ahead of him. I don’t know what his future has in store for him. What I do know is this: I will not let autism define who Gabriel is. I know in my heart he is capable of wonderful and great things.

Update 9/8/08:

Brett,

Today Gabriel said his first word! This is after only 3 ABA sessions. Please share this wonderful report with Kiddos’ Clubhouse Foundation. We continue to be grateful for Gabriel’s scholarship. Today was such a milestone!

You may remember Gabriel is 5 years old and has never spoken a word before.

Thank you so much.

Sandi Marcus (Gabriel’s Grandmother)

Update 10/2/08

Dear Brett,

Gabriel is now able to sit for up to 45 minutes without restraints. He has also started dressing himself. ABA is proving to be just what Gabirel needed to progress.

All of Gabriel’s progress would have not been possible without the scholarship from Kiddos’ Clubhouse Foundation. Thank you again so much!

I do not know how we will afford ABA once the scholarship funds have diminished. We learned today the twins did not get the grant from DHR. It was determined “they are not severe enough.”

Sincerely,

Sandi Marcus (Grandmother to Gabriel and Aidan)