Autism Speaks, Community, In Their Own Words, A Grandparents Day Tribute

A Grandparents Day Tribute

Editor's note: We asked staff and volunteers who have someone with autism in their life to give us a few sentences about their child's grandparent in honor of Grandparents Day. Below are some of the many responses we received. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors exclusively.

My Grandma Duck and Papa Ron are the most wonderful grandparents you could ever imagine! I love to visit them in Cleveland and Florida because they are so fun to be with and they love me so much! My grandma has a gentle soul, a strong faith in God, and I love her laughter. What I love about my Papa Ron is his big heart of gold and I admire him for serving our

country and always being there for my family. This picture is of my seven-year-old brother Brennan Dolnick and Papa Ron.
- Submitted by by Seamus Dolnick, 9, who has autism

As Christian's grandparents, we have seen our lives irrevocably altered by the devastating disorder of autism. As parents, we endured the heartache of watching our daughter Katie face her child's

diagnosis with courage in the face of gut wrenching fear for her son's future. As grandparents, we have felt the deafening void of our grandchild's silence. We have been left to wonder where his beautiful, loving smiles and laughter have gone.

The life changing impact of this global health crisis has tested us in ways untold and it has taught us to walk against the wind in the tempest of this epidemic. Each day, we push ourselves further, and fight harder to stand up to a disorder which has taken our grandson away from us. Each day we gain courage from our children and our grandson, and work hard to accept the lessons from this battle. Since Christian's diagnosis in 2004, we have learned that we should never take a loved one's smile for granted, or a word go unnoticed and we have learned, first and foremost, that we must never doubt that we will one day get him back. - Submitted by Bob and Suzanne Wright

My mother was literally right by my side holding me up when I shut down after the doctor said those four words that changed my entire life, “your son has autism.” The time we needed an MRI she sat and held both our hands. When he needed to have the 24 EEG done for the second time, she was right there when the electrodes were being pasted on his head. My mother was there to fly us overseas when my husband

was transferred and held my son while he screamed for seven, yes seven, hours straight. (We didn't make a lot of friends that day!) She willingly takes him to therapy when I need to be with one of his siblings. She is right there on the floor during Floortime sessions. No child is luckier than Kevin to have Grammy Jammy by his side. He loves her and is so lucky that she loves him with an extra special part of her heart! - Submitted by Megan Browne

We are the grandparents of a wonderful little boy, Jack Henry, age seven. After the initial shock of the diagnosis, we knew we had to give him "a little more of us." He lives out of town, but when we see him, we love him, and then love him more. When we can't be with him, we send him hugs, kisses, and "special bubbe dust" over the phone! It is our wish that someday, hopefully soon, an answer to preventing autism will be found. - Submitted by Pam and Dan Haas

I lost both my parents a few years ago, but they were (and in many ways continue to be) the greatest source of strength for my son, Dan, and for me. They were/are my guiding force and my son's greatest cheerleaders. Dan has no conversational language but can sing thousands of songs thanks to my mother and thanks to my father he can fix almost anything

electronic. The greatest gift they gave me was knowing that no matter what everything would be okay as long as you have the love of your family and the ability to give back as much or more than you were given. – Submitted by Jackie Merens

Pat (Bagley) has always been the most giving and selfless person we know. So when her grandson was diagnosed with autism, it was no surprise that she immediately stepped in to help her daughter with him. Doctor's appointments, special events, etc, she was there. It always seemed to fit into her schedule. For the last three years, she has become very involved

with Autism Speaks, volunteering for the walks, goinjg to awareness events and most importantly, being the 2009 Co-Chair for the Northern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism. No job is ever too big for Pat, and her schedule, as hectic as it is, always has room for her precious Michael. Happy Grandparents Day - We love you...Your family & friends
- Submitted by Tania Dilorenzo and John Gulgiotta

I have two beautiful children, Brandon, age 5 and Cady, age 3½. Brandon has autism, and Cady is typically developing. Their Grandma Sharon, my mother, was, I later learned, not the first family member to realize that something was “off” about Brandon's development, but certainly the first one bold enough to tell me so (I was at the end of my pregnancy with my daughter –

this was definitely an act of courage, trust me!) Thanks to that, Brandon was diagnosed early and began early intervention before his second birthday. She has befriended therapists, followed protocols, done her own fair amount of “Googling” for information and materials, ensured that Cady gets equal time and attention, and became an active member of the NYC Walk Now for Autism planning committee as well as doing general AS volunteer work. She has gone to non-public and private school open houses, lawyer appointments and seminars, and is the person I turn to most for, well, everything.

The reward for all this? Two grandchildren who absolutely light up when they see their Grandma Sharon. They will know that this extraordinary woman ALWAYS thought they are BOTH special, and that her version of special has nothing to do with an educational classification. Happy Grandparents Day Mom! We love you!
- Submitted by Michele Montanez

This June, our extraordinary daughter came to Dallas to help us with the DFW Walk Now for Autism. Father and daughter worked (what there was) off their skinny backsides. Grandson, Griffin, and son, John, were most welcome and participated in the events. The day after the Walk, Griffin, John and Papa went boating on Lake Lavon. Griffin wore a life jacket, Tracey laid in my lap and John piloted the boat. Griffin laughed the whole time without a care in the world. It was a special moment for all. - Submitted by Fred Ahrens

Autism is our family affair. We were already a close family, (though living on opposite sides of our great nation) but we've all synergized our abilities and efforts, to help in any way we can. We are all on Walk teams, several of us Team Captains, some on Walk Committees. Being a part of Autism Speaks in this way is really quite therapeutic, as we know that

the funds we help to raise are paying off already in accelerated research, greater community awareness, a stronger voice on Capitol Hill, and in all the family services and resources that Autism Speaks provides.I read as much as I can, and pass on to my precious daughter all that I think would be beneficial to know (she doesn't have time to read through volumes of books trying to find helpful information). Supportive grandparenting is a responsibility that, when faced, provides parents a source of much needed strength ... it doesn't matter if you live next door or thousands of miles apart, grandparents must each find a way to support their children, and their grandchildren - autism IS a family affair. – Submitted by Pamela Anderson

My daughter was the first granddaughter, but third grandchild born to my father. My father with whom I do not share many interests, he is an athlete, an outdoorsman, and I am a musician, and more outgoing. When my daughter was first diagnosed we all grieved in our own way, but my dad and I didn't speak about it much.. As time went on he came to terms

with it and decided he needed to do something about it in his own way. To reach out to my daughter, his granddaughter, the best way he knew how. He decided to run the Penticton Ironman in her honor, as a fundraiser for Autism Speaks. So even though we don't speak of these things, his actions show how much he loves her. Now that is an amazing grandfather! – Submitted by Sarah Seymour

This is Scotty – doing what he does best (which will undoubtedly look familiar to many parents with kids on the spectrum) – sitting with his mom and Grandpa patiently waiting for a table for a “grilled cheese and fries” at one of his favourite restaurants – Haugens – in Port Perry, Ontario.

Scotty is a lucky boy to have a Grandpa who is so supportive at every level. Grandpa (a.k.a. Spencer Lanthier) has been a top fund raiser for Team Scotty at each Ontario Walk and an annual volunteer, greeting VIP's and media with his superb “working the room” skills. When all is said and done though, Scotty and Grandpa have the most fun together watching the Golf Channel or Nemo (not sure who laughs harder).

Scotty lost both his Grandmothers when he was a baby but does have a wonderful relationship with Grandma D and Grandma Shirley who have stepped in and stepped up the only way that real Grandmas can. We are lucky to have all of them in our lives. - Submitted by Suzanne Lanthier

Every year, my father Justin makes it to the Walk. We usually put him to work in the Accounting tent; we always trust him with the cash. He is Josh Fawcett's right-hand guy in ‘the Tent,” and is the proud grandfather not only of my son, Philip, but also of Atlanta Accounting co-chair Maggie Rees. This year's Walk on November 8

will be very special: our team, Marshmallow Fuf, will have the OLDEST and the YOUNGEST walkers. Justin is 90 and a half and Becca Frazier, whose mother registered her for the Walk this weekend, is due to be born in late October!

The look in this picture says to me: “Ann, this Walk envelope is short $0.47!” - Submitted by Ann Gibbons

Andrew is fortunate not only to have known all his grandparents, but to have grandparents who love and support him. In fact, it was their keen observation that first started us on our journey. It can't be easy to realize that your grandson may not be developing along the proper schedule and probably even more difficult to raise the issue with your grown children. I thank them for their courage. Andrew has had many great times with them but he really loves his special “papa hugs” that end each visit. - Submitted by Phillip Hain

Click here to send a Grandparents Day card from our e-card collection.

If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to editors@autismspeaks.org. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.