As I watch Eli play, I am thinking about how sweet he is. How lovable, how innocent, how funny, and how cute he is.
My son just turned 14, but mentally he is probably more around the age of 3-5.
It’s hard to believe that he will be old enough in three years to walk out the front door and unless I have power of attorney, there is nothing law enforcement can do about it.
The thought of going through this sounds hard, and scary.
At Seventeen, a lot of parents are preparing their teen for what college they want to go to, what they want to major in, and mapping out their journey.
Most Seventeen year olds are driving, have cars, and possibly have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
I will be able to go through these things with Carter, Eli’s little brother… and I am grateful for that. But it breaks my heart that Eli will not be doing these things. Instead, we will be on a path of power of attorney, and deciding whether to keep Eli in school until he is 21. Special needs adult work programs and adult daycares don’t sound appropriate for him either.
Now don’t get me wrong, I thrive on the celebration of every little win and I couldn’t be any more proud of Eli or to be his mother. It just hurts when you can’t give your child everything you have every wanted for them.
My son has dreams just like everyone else. He has verbally stated that he wants to attend college, he wants freedom, and I want him to have all these things. Some he won’t, and some he will, it just might take a little longer.
He has to work so hard for even things that may come simple to others, My son is an amazing human being.
I don’t doubt he can do anything…
He is my beautiful son.
Autism Lion 