October 15, 1997

Dear Pamela,

    I just have to write and tell you how excited we are with Stephen's progress.  He is changing every day!  Here it is October and we are actually looking forward to making costumes for Halloween trick or treating.  Stephen's 11th birthday is next month, and for the first time, he has friends from school to invite.  Although he still is not verbally communicating, he is typing to us on the computer.  He is using his computer as one of his main tools at school to accomplish his work.

    I can remember when Stephen was first diagnosed with autism, he was only 4 1/2 years old.  I knew we were going to be embarking on a long journey to provide him the best life style possible, although I refused to believe all the clichés that seemed to follow his diagnoses.  Autism was simply a label, it did not change my son, my Stephen.

    When I look back at our journey, we had come a long way before finding the HANDLE.  Gone were the days of waking from a rest to find that Stephen was gone. The days of searching the neighborhood looking for him.  The numerous times neighbors (bless their hearts) returned him.  The three separate locks on the front door.  The locks on the windows to keep him in.  The fear we would have an emergency and be locked in our home, unable to get out in a timely fashion.  Gone were the days of duct tape on the refrigerator.  The mornings of cleaning up broken eggs and unwrapped butter and milk poured over the floor.  We had managed through the time of going to the doctor for stitches not being able to explain how he cut his lip, as he was missing at the time.  Yes, we  had come a long way.  But nothing had prepared me for the TREMENDOUS optimism the HANDLE approach provided.  No one had confirmed my belief that Stephen had so much to offer if only we could help him get through his issues.  Now we continue our journey.  Our hearts are full of hope and conviction that one day (rather soon, I expect) Stephen will live the lifestyle he deserves.

    Words just don't describe the difference the HANDLE approach has made in our lives.  I always believed something was out there available to help, something I could believe in, something that made sense.  I needed someone to agree that, although my son did some strange things, there were reasons for it.  The HANDLE approach has allowed Stephen to be himself while achieving a new look at life.

    We will be forever grateful to you for sharing the opportunity to enrich Stephen's life in such a wonderful way.

Sincerely
Ann